Vacation and school...what would you do?

[MBrickle]

Hi All!

So, I'm seeking some advice. I will be away from October 18th-October 29th on vacation in Europe. These dates will coincide with the end of week 4 of health assessment and all of week 5, as well as week 1 of art appreciation/history...can't remember but it's the art elective.

Is this doable? My plan, based on the threads, would be to get ahead in assessment as its the only class I'm taking at that time and completely finish everything before I leave.

As for art, I'm unsure what the week 1 assignment will be and I haven't checked for a syllabus yet. I'm thinking I can, at the very least, e-mail the professor if the syllabus isn't online to get an idea of what the first assignments are and maybe start those early as well, and maybe spend an hour before bed a few nights working on it? Does this sound realistic?

I would just really hate to put off a class because I won't be around for a week of it, ya know? It could set me back quite a bit in the program.

Thanks!

[focusport]

I am finishing up health assessment now and you can complete the assignments ahead of time but there is a test due for each week that has to be completed in that week. You can not take the tests ahead of time.

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

I went to Alaska for 14 days while doing my online bridge program. I got my assignments done ahead of time and posted them. I was able to login to class and keep up on the discussion forums, so I didn't loose points for those two weeks. Most instructors are pretty good about letting you post ahead of time as long as you tell them what is going on. As to the forums, they don't have control over that so you will probably take a hit. Make sure that you post before you go and when you get back. Have fun!!!!!

[ScarletFire]

Hi MBrickle,

Umm, this is a tough one. I worked ahead in Health Assessment when I had a week off from work during the first week of class. That enabled me to get the objective portion of all the assignments done. However, I still had to write it all up and that takes time. Still, you might be able do it as long as you focused hard on this class during the 3 weeks you would be in the country. Because the last assignment is a compilation APA-style paper combining all of the assignments throughout the class, it is important for you to have the previous assignments graded and returned to you so that you are able to make corrections before you submit them again in the last big paper. Whether your AC will do this in advance just for you is the question. You would have to contact her and lay it all out and see what she says. The problem is that you won't know who she is until class starts, and I assume that may be too late for you to change your plans by then. Regarding the tests, as focusport said, the tests are not available in advance so I don't know what you could do about that.

[kirsnikity]

Is there any chance you can take a laptop and use wi-fi? There are tons of wi-fi spots in practically every neighborhood in Europe (not that you want to have to do schoolwork,but just in case you haven't completely finished health assessment?)

[Malorymug]

I was in Italy for a week last Feb. I was taking patho and u.s. history. I had no problems at all logging in, turning in assignments and taking a quiz. I loved it, hope you have a great trip.

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

I was in Italy for a week last Feb. I was taking patho and u.s. history. I had no problems at all logging in, turning in assignments and taking a quiz. I loved it, hope you have a great trip.

That is so nice to know. My hubby and I are thinking about a trip to France.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

IMO, if I'm going on vacation out of the country, I'd forget the classes period and not take anything. That way I could enjoy my vacation without having to worry about getting an assignment or DQ submitted in time. I've gone on domestic vacations during school and taken the laptop. But international, I think I'd prefer to not being in school during it.

But you need to do what is best for you.

One thing to keep in mind is that all assignments are due based on Central Standard/Daylight time. So if you're in Europe while taking classes, you will need to plan for the time difference accordingly: you'll be dealing with a 6-8 hour time difference.

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

IMO, if I'm going on vacation out of the country, I'd forget the classes period and not take anything. That way I could enjoy my vacation without having to worry about getting an assignment or DQ submitted in time. I've gone on domestic vacations during school and taken the laptop. But international, I think I'd prefer to not being in school during it.

But you need to do what is best for you.

One thing to keep in mind is that all assignments are due based on Central Standard/Daylight time. So if you're in Europe while taking classes, you will need to plan for the time difference accordingly: you'll be dealing with a 6-8 hour time difference.

I will be completing my FNP degree during that time...I don't want to loose any time in that. Besides, the vacation is only 2 weeks!

[loriangel14, RN]

You really need to ask the school what to do.My school would have flipped if anyone wanted to take that much time off ( and you would have been dropped from the program if you did).

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

You really need to ask the school what to do.My school would have flipped if anyone wanted to take that much time off ( and you would have been dropped from the program if you did).

The OP is enrolled in an on-line RN-BSN program, and is not a student at a traditional brick and mortar school. With it being online classes I see it doable, but I would pack a laptop

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I will be completing my FNP degree during that time...I don't want to loose any time in that. Besides, the vacation is only 2 weeks!

If that's what you feel you need to do, then that's what you need to do. You've got to do what is best for you and your plans.