Since I am on summer break and only teaching extended school year two days a week my supports look a little different. My alarm clock is less fequently used (and that makes me happy) and I use my car less, which are huge supports during the school year.
My biggest support each day is my boyfriend and dog. My boyfriend, Blake, provides me with the emotional support that I need each and every day. He always has is listening ears and is willing to listen to my venting while I try and figure out what to do at school or how to handle a particular behavior. I know that he doesn't understand everything that I talk about, but he does pretend rather well. My other daily support is my dog, he is my unconditional love and even when I feel lonely I have him and I can always walk with him or take him to the park, which gives me something to do.
Other supports that I need are a computer (with internet), my phone so I can talk with family and friends. I also use lists to make sure I accomplish everything I need to get done. I also write all the directions down for our class because it helps me understand the questions being asked better (even though it is time consuming).
If I didn't have these things I think that I would be lonely with out my boys and it would be vary hard to complete a online graduate degree without a computer and internet. I would have to reevaluate how I would get my masters.
Hypothetical situation:
My computer broke during my graduate program. My computer is my lifeline to my graduate classes and if it broke I would have to get very creative. It would be difficult to feel like I could exist without a computer to complete all my school work (but I do know that I would be just fine). If it did break other supports would come into place, I would use the public library more frequently and probably stay at work longer to work on school work. I would be a benefit to have each of these supports. The obstacles would be I would have to budget my time better, especially in the school year. It would be more inconvenient but manageable.
