Why An Online Degree Might Be For You
There has been a proliferation of online degree programs and options over the last decade. Just a short time ago, online degree programs were virtually unheard of and the connotation that went along with the words “online degree” may not have been the most positive. Today however, online degrees are much more accepted and are no longer just associated with those who can’t get into a brick-and-mortar institution, but rather those who may chose not to pursue such an education, preferring the benefits of an online degree program instead. If you’re considering an online degrees, but aren’t sure if it’s the right type of education for you, here are a few things to consider.
Personality
Sometimes facing an education at a college campus might not to appeal to those of a certain personality type. Heading off to a 250-person lecture hall where you might be called upon to answer questions or contribute in class may frankly be terrifying to some. Those with more introverted personalities can find this aspect of such an education quite unappealing. This fear of being called out or humiliated by a wrong answer in class can hinder the learning process and may even keep you from making valuable contributions. However, with online courses, you may discover that you are much more comfortable communicating by way of the written word, thereby gaining more from your classes and contributing much more than you may have otherwise.
Learning Skills
Everyone has his or her own particular style of learning. You might find that you do better learning on your own, almost having to be forced to attend class. It could be that you find listening to professors droning on about various subjects a bore, and tend to tune them out, missing valuable information in the process. Alternatively, maybe the professor’s discussion of pertinent information is valuable to you, but it is presented in a way or at a time that makes it difficult to process — not all of us are early birds or night owls. If this is the case, you might find that having the ability to learn on your own and schedule classes at times that best fit your learning style is more appealing from an online degree program.
Motivational Capacity
The ability to motivate yourself could certainly come into play when considering an online degree. For some, motivation might be a problem. Getting up and going to class each day may be too much to ask. In this case, being able to schedule classes and a course load through an online program that better fits your motivational capacity might behoove you. However, there must still be enough self-motivation to push yourself to study on your own, follow through on class assignments and communicate with professors or classmates. Your own ability to self-motivate is an important consideration when reviewing whether an online program could be right for you.
Finances
Not everyone has the financial capacity to attend a campus-based educational institution. Such a program could easily run into the ten’s of thousands of dollars per year, squelching the idea of such an education even for those who may desire it. With an online degree program, you may be able to avoid many of the more financially strenuous aspects of education such as room and board, transportation, higher or out-of-state tuitions, and textbooks or associated class fees. While this isn’t to say that all online degree programs are cheap, there are often certain financial benefits to these programs that you might not find at many brick-and-mortar institutions.
Current Situation and Time Commitment
Finally, when deciding if an online degree programs is right for you, your current living situation and available time commitment will likely be factors to consider. Your decision may be based upon where you are living currently, whether you are working, if you have commitments to family, and other factors that may be tugging upon your ability to focus on getting an education. However, just because you may have more control over your online education than one fulfilled at a college campus, doesn’t mean there still won’t be a large level of commitment in both time and money, so your decision should not be taken lightly.
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