Distance learning is a terrific idea. It recognises that adults need flexible learning options and it provides opportunities for those who cannot attend mainstream courses to gain qualifications in their own time. But it is not an easy option. Distance learning is tough even with good support from the college concerned and it demands a high level of motivation and a lot of staying power.

The key to successful distance learning is being organised, disciplined and good at managing your time. So if you're a scattered sort of person who is poor at meeting deadlines it might be better to find a different way to learn.

If you make the decision to choose a distance learning option there are ways of making it easier. To begin, make sure you will receive good back-up support from your college. You should have easy access to a personal tutor and ideally there should be seminars/workshops you can attend to meet fellow students and tutors in an inter-active learning environment.

If possible, link up with a fellow student. This will provide valuable moral support and can also be useful at an academic level if ideas are shared and issues teased out. If you can meet occasionally so much the better, but even regular telephone or e-mail contact can relieve the loneliness of long distance learning.

Most distance learning courses have a modular structure which means they can be completed at a student's own pace. If you have to drop out for any reason completed modules count as "credits" and you can pick up where you left off at a later date. The majority of distance education courses are aimed at older learners and in most cases such students do not have to meet specific entry requirements. This means that those who left school early or left without qualifications have the opportunity to start afresh.

The British-based Open University is one of the best known names in distance learning (see Noticeboard), but since 1982 the home-based National Distance Education Centre (located at Dublin City University) has been offering distance learning diploma and degree programmes. Subject areas currently covered by the programmes include information technology, arts, nursing studies and the application of IT in management. The National Distance Education Centre can be contacted at (01) 700 5481 or consult www.oscail.ie for course details.