Distance Learning Secrets: Study Online Without Losing Your Mind is a nonfiction education/self-help guide written by E. Danica Lovell. Lovell earned her own MBA online and then coached her sister through her distance learning experience. The author is also a certified Project Manager Professional and a time management expert. While attending university in person is an optimal experience, the demands of work and family or the lack of geographic access to an appropriate school may make distance learning the only or the best solution.

Whether engaged in distance learning or seated in a classroom, E. Danica Lovell’s guide is chock-full of advice that will be useful to students of all ages. From her opening chapter on Time Management and the “to-don’t” list on, I realized Lovell was a kindred spirit. There’s something about having a paper due or an exam looming in just a few hours that turns cleaning the house, emptying the refrigerator, mating your socks or any of an unlimited number of time-killer escape routes into urgent imperatives. Lovell shows you how to recognize this time-killer when it strikes and shows you how to defend against it. She gets the amount of effort that goes into successful distance learning and shows clearly and distinctly how to focus on that target -- without losing your mind or your friends in the process. Students learn how to make full use of their advisor and other support personnel at university, and they also get a few tips about how reading a fun book can actually help their academic performance.

While a short book, Distance Learning Secrets is loaded with great ideas and workable strategies. Lovell is an excellent communicator who actually coaches the reader through the distance learning process. Her writing style is fluid and conversational, and she gets to each point precisely and without wasting your time. Distance Learning Secrets: Study Online Without Losing Your Mind is most highly recommended.

“By deciding to pick up this book, you are one step closer to building the life you’ve always dreamt of!” Distance Learning Secrets: Study Online Without Losing Your Mind is a short read designed to share the secrets and tips of obtaining your online degree. Author E. Danica Lovell shares briefly her journey and some of the challenges she had to overcome in order to earn her MBA. Distance Learning Secrets is broken down into short, readable chapters and subchapters, which are then devised into a summary of what to do now and what to do later.

Key issues often times not tackled in your student orientation are addressed by Lovell -- such as eating right, exercise, getting sufficient sleep, and managing your social media -- in a personalized and reader-friendly fashion. Additionally, more complex areas, such as how to let friends and family know that you are unable to attend certain social events, allowing yourself time for hobbies and relaxation, and how to accept criticism are also discussed by Lovell, along with her personal experiences on the matters. Lovell confidently describes that not all times are good and rewarding, and explains that “it wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows.” In an Author’s Note, Lovell briefly depicts the darker side of earning her degree online.

Distance Learning Secrets is incredibly well-written; it puts the complicated subjects on paper for anyone to read and understand. I absolutely recommend that anyone who is looking into earning their degree online, or even in the classroom, reads Distance Learning Secrets by E. Danica Lovell! With distance learning becoming a growing trend across the globe, Distance Learning Secrets could not have come at a better time – my only regret is that I did not have Lovell’s book to read before I earned my degree. Distance Learning Secrets is an excellent opportunity for prospective students.

I wanted to read Distance Learning Secrets: Study Online Without Losing Your Mind because I think we are already in an education crisis in America. Graduating university students are going into the workforce with an insurmountable amount of college debt. A lot of potential future university students simply can’t afford to go to college with or without student loans. There are solutions to these problems. Bernie Sanders and Elisabeth Warren have great ideas but with our current Education Secretary and our current President, it's hard to remain optimistic. E. Danica Lovell has put the spotlight on one area that may present at least part of the solution to the nation’s education problems: efficient, focused, online learning. From vocational degrees to online master’s courses, the online education industry can provide an affordable alternative for future students.

Distance Learning Secrets: Study Online Without Losing Your Mind is the right book at the right time. If learning online is going to be a real alternative to attending a physical university, then institutions and students need a frame of mind like the one presented in this book. Universities must focus on providing meaningful and comprehensive lessons while students need to learn to be self-disciplined and manage their time wisely. The methods and techniques described here work. This book should be required reading for anyone attempting a serious online class. It will save you time, energy, and money. It’s easy to read, easy to understand, and critical to timely success. Don’t waste your money attempting a serious course before you understand what you are attempting. Honestly, just reading the table of contents will be helpful. Reading this book is invaluable.

If you are embarking on a course of distance learning, this is the book for you! This book outlines all the positives and pitfalls of pursuing educational opportunities online. The chapters include time management, study effectiveness, school-life balance, community/support, dealing with administrators/teacher, the community of fellow students. Additional sections in each chapter include “For Now” and “For Later” points. The content is full of pragmatic advice and clever tips. For example, the author suggests a “to-don’t” list. Her caution about not being distracted by social media is wise indeed. Author E. Danica Lovell has written a helpful, interesting guide for the online student in Distance Learning Secrets: Studying Online Without Losing Your Mind. The reader soon realizes the unique aspects of this form of obtaining a college degree.

This book is written in a clear, concise style. The table of contents illustrates how well organized the book is; it would be easy to go back and find a section or paragraph at a later date. The author also adds a bit of humor here and there, making it an enjoyable read. The reader is fully engaged in the presented material and will learn a great deal. Many aspects of distance learning are presented, and it is clear how different it is from the classroom experience. Anyone who is considering, or is already participating in online education would benefit from Distance Learning Secrets: Studying Online Without Losing Your Mind by E. Danica Lovell. It would be a great gift for a student; a great investment!