Is Online Education Right for You?
The time is right, you’ve decided, to go back to school and earn a degree – or pursue higher education. You want the degree but with your schedule, you simply don’t have time to drive to and from a college campus. Perhaps an online degree is your best bet.
To be a successful online student you need to have a dedication to attending online classes, completing reading and studying. Once you’re in front of the computer for your class, will you be able to resist the lure of multi-tasking? Will you find yourself paying half-attention because a good television show is in, or because the laundry needs folding? If you’re not fully investing your time in the online experience, you won’t reap the benefits and nuances that pursuing higher education offers.
You’ve always worked well alone. You’re able to take the initiative, get the job done and done well. Or are you the kind of person who thrives in a social setting? Do you miss the social interaction that comes from lively discussions centering around in-class discussions? Consider which type of personality you are before taking the plunge into online learning. Yes, you will reap savings in commuting time and money, but will you reap the benefits of a solo education if you are a social personality? And consider whether your reasons for pursuing an online degree are compelling enough to keep you invested in the program.
How tech savvy are you? Do you embrace new technologies? When an instructor tells you to download documents or programs necessary for study enhancement do you rise to the challenge or do your hands shake at the mere thought of opening a pdf document? Remember, taking an online class means you don’t have immediate access to an instructor or classmates to help with tech issues that may arise.
If you’re an avid reader and comprehend materials quickly and easily, online instruction could be right up your alley. If, however, you are the type of learner for whom oral instructions are more helpful, an online degree could hinder your classroom experience.
Learning at ones own pace, while setting aside time for online classroom sessions are certainly lures for professionals seeking to further their education. You need to step back and consider the true reasons you want to pursue your degree online, rather than on campus before taking the plunge.
Robbi Hess is a staff writer for the American Educational Guidance Center, which publishes educational websites that assist students of all ages in choosing online colleges and online universities which best meet their needs.