Michael McKinley, Glendale Community CollegeValerie Dean O'Loughlin, Indiana University

Thanks for sharing this terrific resource, Lisa! It is so much easier to get through a challenge when the load is shared. Well done :)

Hi Manda - it's a real nuisance getting "nerves". After "googling" your concerns for a quick fix answer, I think these tips for conquering anxiety were direct and achievable without getting too caught up with the psycho mumbo jumbo that often compounds the problem.

I have posted them onto the blog so they are easier to see. http://neinursingonline.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/174/

Yes, Tanyah, time management is a very real issue when studying externally. I will add a post to the NEI Nursing online blog with some tips that you can peruse at "your leisure" :)

Hopefully you will glean a few insights that will help you. The best tip I can give you is to set a regular time for your studies each week; let everyone who is likely to "need" you at this time know you are NOT available; and get into it. This is YOUR time - most people will respect your commitment to your learning.

Having a timetable & displaying it to others will also let them know when you are not available. It will also encourage you to stick to that time. If you are "caught" doing other things in that set apart time, you will feel guilty you didn't use your time as you promised you would.

Another tip: if someone wants to have a chat: stand up. They will be less likely to be comfortable taking your time if your body language is sending a message saying: "I'm busy and not available". If you remain seated when they interrupt, you are sending a message that you have time to spare.

What a challenge you have on your hands (on top of everything else!). I like Viv's suggestion about negotiating but if that fails (and it can) when she "forgets" her part of the deal, you could download some free software from Mediavention that actually limits the amount of internet time she uses.

At the end of her session, it will simply "timeout" & the screen will white out. No further access will be allowed until you enter the parental password. Maybe this would also train her to be more efficient in her use of the internet? This could be set up for as many users as you need.

Link to software page: http://mediavention.com/groundhogmain.html the software is free but you need to register to download it.

Apologies - I should have mentioned there is a short video about how to use this software on this page; the main points to consider in your situation are as follows:
This software includes:

* Curfew system (Allows you to choose when the computer can be used and when it can't)
* Password protected un-install (Only parents can remove GroundHog)
* Auto child time reset (at 12:00 midnight) (No need to restart the computer)
* Easier Blind reset (Drop down replaced the complicated blind settings)
* Longer Parent time option (Up to 480 minutes now)

Hi Alison - when you say it "crashed", what exactly has happened? Sometimes, files are retrievable and all is not lost! If you give me an email address, I can send some info for checking a few things out before panic sets in.