Online Courses: Never Too Late! A Midlife Woman’s Journey

Online courses: It’s Never Too Late! A Midlife Woman’s Journey! Hey everyone! Remember how I mentioned enrolling in online courses? (One for creating a blog website, no less!) So far, this journey has been a great mix of nostalgia, learning curves, and pure joy – you are never too old to learn!

23 Years Later: My Website Admin Mind is Blown!

Nearly 23 years ago, I was the administrator for the local Surestart children’s centre and one of my many jobs included website maintenance. Fast forward to today, and the digital landscape is unrecognisable! While I’ve always used databases and social media, this course opened my eyes to the fascinating “behind-the-scenes” of website mechanics. I’m amazed at how much functionality exists at our fingertips, and how much of it is now automated thanks to clever plugins. Plugins are little helpers who analyse your website, suggest improvements, and guide you towards optimal performance.

Demystifying Websites: My Online Course Journey Begins

The digital landscape has transformed dramatically, gone are the days of claiming the website administrator status. Now I meticulously follow the instructor’s guidance, determined not to miss a single step. After all, Google is a stickler for well-optimised websites, and proper indexing is crucial for visibility. This online course journey is proving that anyone can learn these skills – age is just a number!

Discovering the Magic of SEO and Plugins

This course has been like opening Aladdin’s cave of digital treasures! From an array of plugins, widgets, themes to powerful features and AI assistance, it’s mind-blowing. Why haven’t I started this earlier?

In simpler terms, SEO helps search engines like Google understand your website content and rank it accordingly when users search for specific topics. The more relevant your keywords, the higher your blog posts will appear in search results. It’s a fascinating world, and I’m utterly hooked!

Fuelling My Passion with Late-Night Learning

Despite being tired from a long workday, I find myself glued to my trusty Chromebook (even though the pesky line down the middle puts a bit of a damper on things). But that’s a minor inconvenience when I’m deeply engrossed in these website building lessons. I meticulously follow the instructor’s every word, pausing and rewinding to ensure each step is executed flawlessly when setting up my website. Even the television has been relegated to the background – my previous habit of vegging out in front of the telly in the evenings has become a distant memory. While I wouldn’t say my family has been completely neglected (dinner is still served, and the house remains reasonably tidy!), I can’t help but daydream about a magical plugin that could automate household chores.

One of the course recommendations was signing up for Canva, a fantastic tool for creating stunning visuals for website pages and blog posts. Let me tell you, time flies when you’re having fun! I could spend hours designing headers, post images, and cute thumbnails. While I wouldn’t dare compare myself to professional graphic designers, I honestly don’t care. This journey is all about personal growth and having fun while acquiring a valuable skill.

Goodbye Classroom, Hello Online Learning Freedom 

The internet offers an unmatched feast of knowledge, acting as a virtual “world is your oyster” scenario. From in-depth tutorials to interactive exercises, it provides everything you need to learn and grow – everything except the warmth of human connection, of course.

The beauty of online courses lies in their flexible nature. You can sign up, pay, and hit play whenever the mood strikes, learning entirely at your own pace. This is a stark contrast to traditional classroom settings, which I admittedly found stifling at times. Let’s face it, not everyone thrives in environments where keeping up with the pack is paramount. As a midlife woman, my attention span and information retention can change daily.

Online courses eliminate the need for travel back and forth, uncomfortable chairs, and unfamiliar equipment – all potential deterrents to learning. Here, with my virtual instructor, I have the ultimate control. I can rewind, pause, or stop the lesson entirely, ensuring I fully grasp each concept before moving on. Unlike a classroom teacher with a set schedule, my online tutor tailors the pace to my individual needs. In case your are asking; I used the Udemy platform for the online blogger website course.

Embracing the Learning Curve: A Midlife Adventure

Honestly, I’m incredibly proud of myself. My website is up and running smoothly so far, with most SEO prompts displaying those satisfying green smiley faces. There are still some orange ones, indicating areas for improvement, particularly in meta descriptions and keyword optimisation. These are challenges I’m happy to tackle!

When the initial idea of blogging struck, I attempted creating a free WordPress website. However, it felt overwhelming, and I ended up sticking with the familiar territory of Facebook and Instagram. Yet, a part of me craved a deeper level of expression.

Once this course wraps up and my website is fully functional, I plan to delve into the world of SEO for social media. Who knows, maybe even TikTok will be in my future? Baby steps for now! I might be repeating myself a bit (something that seems to happen more frequently these days), but I truly can’t express how much I’m enjoying this adventure. Stay tuned for more updates on my journey into the wonderful world of blogging!