Not enjoying course

[Dreamersdontdie]

I've started a course which will hopefully allow me to become qualified in a field I have already worked in.
I was so excited to start and had a lovely send off with lots of colleagues telling me that I would be great and that they were really happy for me.
It's been a good while since my first degree and I'm just finding going back to studying is harder than I imagined. I also hate online learning. I feel there's a lot of younger people who just understand the whole thing better ('we have to join seminar link G and then present seminar task 4') They all seem pretty idealistic about how they will do things and I always feel pretty negative in comparison.
I just dread the waking up and logging on for six hours. I really miss the work place. I hate how much I'm eating and how my life is going from kitchen table to the sofa and then back again. Now the kids are home I also hate driving them to holiday club so I can sit at the kitchen table in peace.
Gah it all just feels so mind numbing. The online bit is only for seven weeks and then I'm placement based but just wanted to have a bit of a rant.

How far into the seven weeks are you?

How you're feeling sounds pretty normal to me. There was always going to be a bit of a bump back down to earth after the high and excitement of signing up/being waved off on your adventure. It will pass!

What kind of placement are you doing?

@swanling social work

All this sounds completely normal!

I did an MA in middle age and found it incredibly tough at first. But that was face to face - so while on the one hand I was constantly amidst my younger peers, on the other, it was an intensely stimulating environment and the camaraderie brought huge amounts of joy. I do not know how I would have coped with online learning for six hours a day.

But at least it’s only for seven weeks. And you know you need to get to grips with whatever you’re being taught, in whatever format, because it will form the basis of your working life once you’re qualified. This current misery is enabling you to work efficiently with your peers.

Surely there’s time to take a break and get some fresh air during the day? No point asking if there isn’t a library you could work in …

It sounds as though you're doing Frontline or something similar. Stick with it. You'll soon be on placement and back to what you know. Then you'll probably find that your previous experience will put you at an advantage compared to a lot of the other students. You say that they're idealistic but at least you have a more realistic idea of what you've let yourself in for and how difficult the work can be. It won't be such a shock to you.
Take advantage of any study skills sessions to get you back into study habits and start planning your days. Have a look at university web sites as they often have lots of freely available materials on study planning, essay writing, presentations etc.
Allow yourself some time to settle in and good luck!

I’m considering doing a masters and worry about this: I’m simply not sued to sitting down for so long and am naturally restless. Maybe you need frequent active breaks to focus?

Hey! Allied Healthcare Profession Student here 😊. Completely understand how you feel - do stick with it as placement is waaaaaaay more fun and interesting! x

@Usernamqwerty yes! I did stick with it, now on placement and it's heaps better. Funnily enough, those who enjoyed the online bit aren't as happy now.