A new study finds more students are learning online. In 2008, 17% more students signed up for online courses than the year before. The same study also found more than a quarter of all college students are taking at least one class online. These numbers show the college experience is changing, so students and faculty have to adjust. Distance learning college requires a different approach than an in-person class.
If you're planning to attend college online you may need a class in self discipline first. While online learning offers students the flexibility of choosing where and when to study, that freedom can backfire. Many online college students work, have families or may even be serving in the military. These lifestyles come with distractions that can hurt study time. If you plan ahead, however, you can succeed at online learning.
If you are taking an online class, make sure you set goals for yourself. Know how long you want to take to complete your degree and how many classes will be required each year. Make sure you have enough financial aid to cover the time it will take to earn your degree. Keep up with class work so you don't slip behind. Trying to catch up wastes time and your money.
Next, find a good place to study. It may be your room at home, the library or a neighborhood coffee shop. Treat online college like a job. Just like you go to an office, you need a place to study with no distractions. Set aside a time each day to go to your study area and get your work done. Don’t forget to make reminders about project due dates. Getting into a rhythm early will help you stay focused.
Consider your interests before you declare your major. Don't let family pressure, your current job, or career trends influence your decision. If you are interested in a subject you will enjoy learning about it. It may help to take a variety of courses early in your college career before you choose a major.
When you attend school online, you don't get to meet friends on campus or run into the professor after class, but there are ways to interact online. Most courses have chat rooms. Students can connect to discuss the class or set up a study group. It's also a good idea to get in touch with your instructor by email or phone. That way when questions or problems arise, you have people to ask for help.
Ask your family and friends to help you succeed. Letting everyone know your schedule helps them know when you are not available. Your study time is not the time for text messages, phone calls and play dates. It may help to post a calendar outlining your class time.
Just because classes are on your schedule, does not mean attending schools online is going to be easy. In some ways online courses are more difficult than campus courses. You really have to discipline yourself. You set your own class and study time and get assignments done regardless of what else is happening. Set yourself up for success for the best distance degree you can achieve. The decision to get your college degree could be a life changing move for you and your family. You may find an abundance of new information about on line degrees on the internet.
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