I used to look down at distance learning, taken online, by snail mail, or both. How could you learn if you weren't there?

Then I took a distance course, and many more after, for the reasons many opt to: You decide when to do the work, and it saves hours commuting to campus, if the course is even offered that semester.

Some of the most rigorous and worthwhile graduate courses I took were distance ones. The bar was higher as it should have been to earn credits without having to show up for a class or take proctored exams; I had to produce, and not the one or so papers or other projects that might go into a traditional course grade along with exams, but multiple projects that take real engagement. Phoning it in does not fly with distance learning.

At school year's end, News Contributor Vanessa Dunn wrote about fellow Wiscasset Middle High School graduating senior Corey Campbell's distance coursework that added to her learning options and kept her studying post-heart surgery. How smart of the school that has come to call itself small but mighty to widen students’ options via the World Wide Web.

For youngsters, especially, the Internet is no substitute for in-person, hands-on learning and the interpersonal skills it develops. But to supplement that, responsibly, with distance learning's self-discipline, motivation, time management and a world of topics that might not otherwise make the courseload is a good move and area achools should take or keeping taking advantage of it, so their students can.

As you or your child head back to school, in too few days from now, distance learning or all in-person, put all your focus into it when you're doing it, and give it as little thought as possible when you're not. That keeps your mind fresh for it and, when you least expect it when you are walking, working, or doing something else outside your studies, you may have a eureka moment that aids or inspires your assignment.

No plans to study this fall? Consider it. Even a fun, short-run class is learning. We routinely run announcements on our sites and, space permitting, in print, from area senior and other adult education programs.

Sometimes, when you are sure you have no time at all, the something else you take up makes it all fall into place.