Studying via distance education takes on a whole new perspective when you consider the life of CQU’s journalism student and boatie Colleen Burns.

As the University term kicked off last July, Colleen and her husband and two children set sail from Gladstone for this year's winter cruising season aboard their 50-foot ketch.

This is the third successive year the Burns family have cruised the Queensland coast, travelling as far south as the Gold Coast and up to the northern waters of Cooktown and Lizard Island.

In addition to completing her third year in a Bachelor of Communication degree, Colleen is home-schooling two of their three children, aged 12 and 16.

To the Burns family it seems a perfectly normal way to live. Lots of people enjoy cruising and according to Colleen, “it’s surprising how many families do it”.

“Home-schooling is just an accepted part of the lifestyle for them.”.

When based in Gladstone, Colleen is able to complete some of her courses as an internal student, but most study has been through CQU’s distance learning facility.

“Being a flex-student allows me to pursue an alternate lifestyle that would otherwise not be an option,” Colleen said.

“The key to success is being organised - I always have to plan ahead. For example, I seldom have email or Internet access, phone reception is erratic and the cost of calls prohibit it anyway.

“I have to always look in advance at what I’m going to need and how to access it. Assignments have to be done well before time to get them in the post, and I always send a hard-copy as a back-up. Internet cafes make a good bit of money out of me when we’re in port too!”.

“We sit around the table in the main saloon with books everywhere and get stuck into it, usually by 8.30 or so. We’re especially motivated if it’s a beautiful day and we want to get ashore for a walk, or go swimming, snorkelling or fishing,” Colleen said.

Despite the obvious challenges of distance learning, CQU offers students flexibility to study where, when and how they want.

“I was quite concerned about sitting two exams at the end of this semester, but found I didn’t necessarily have to be at a CQU campus for them. I can arrange to sit them up in Cooktown, or even at Lizard Island, or wherever else I may end up. That’s flexibility!”.