Is an Online Education for You?
There is tons of information out there about online education, and there’s just as much misinformation, so if you are considering an online degree, you may be feeling confused. And you have every right to be, because so much of the literature on receiving an online education is, at best, inconsistent. Having researched online schools extensively, I’ve concluded that online or distance education is the right decision for a very specific type of person. Here are some questions to ask yourself before enrolling in an online program:
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Have you been working for a considerable period, and do you not want to give up your career?
I’ve found that most students who decide to pursue an online or distance or online education have done so because they have so much else going on in their lives. Although an online degree can be just as academically challenging as a traditional degree, it also gives you tons of room to do other things in your life. At a traditional school, you are expected to be very involved in your school and its community. What takes up the most time at a conventional school is all the extra things involved, like students’ activities. An online degree trims the fat, so to speak. As such, you have enough time to be employed full- or part-time while pursuing your degree. So often the best online students are those who are accustomed to already having worked for a few years.
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Do you have family or other personal commitments?
If you have lots of family commitments like raising a child, or taking care of an elderly parent, enrolling in an online degree program is perhaps the best way to further your educational, and by proxy, your career goals. Traditional universities are very difficult to get through because the presumption is that you are pursuing a higher education because you are ready to be a student and only a student. If you have more personal commitments than most people your age do, then an online degree program is a good decision.
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Are you someone who considers yourself very self-motivated and self-directed?
Although there are various myths about online degree programs, and some will tell you that it is easier than a conventional program, the truth is that each track is simply different, with not one being necessarily harder than the other. For online degree students, being self-motivated and self-directed is necessary. This is because, unlike traditional schools, online schools require that you do almost all your assignments on your own time, whenever you decide to do them as long as you meet the deadline. In other words, you won’t have the same sort of constant reminders as you would get at a conventional university. If you cannot manage your time well, then you should reconsider enrolling in an online degree program.
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Do you enjoy learning about new things using your computer?
Of course, you don’t have to be a tech wiz to be able to complete a degree online. But if you are the type of student who enjoys learning and doing scholastic work online and on your computer generally, then an online degree would be perfect for you.
Before you enroll in any degree program, whether online or traditional, the most important thing to remember is to do your research carefully, ask other students what their experiences have been, and, most importantly, be honest about your strengths and weaknesses.