What You Need to Know About Online Degrees Before You Enroll
October 26, 2010 by michaelm
Filed under Back To College, Online College, Online Education
1) Online colleges provide students with a maximum of flexibility - students can work wherever, whenever they want. While this is convenient, it also may be dangerous for your educational health. Some people struggle to work daily on their degree if they don’t have someone constantly breathing down their neck. It can be too easy to blow off schoolwork for one of the many distractions prevalent at home. Before starting your online program, make sure to craft a solid, workable schedule for you to follow every day and week, a schedule that you’ll stick to no matter what. It might be helpful to have a friend, family member, or faculty member from your school keep you on track with daily and weekly status updates. Setting up a “work only” environment in your home might also help you get to work on a consistent basis.
2) Without daily interaction with students and professors, you lose out on some of the college experience - communication and sharing of ideas - that would deepen your education. It’s possible to get stuck in an “echo chamber” of your own thoughts and ideas if you don’t seek out other opinions and feedback. Make sure to engage with others as much as possible throughout your education; don’t allow yourself to become isolated.
3) Don’t think that having an online degree will do all the work for you. Though online degrees have gained prominence in recent years, some employers may hold an unfair prejudice against them. To counter this, and to maximize your chances of obtaining employment, make sure you continue to network and build your skills, contacts, and experience. A degree is important, but it’s not a magic bullet.
4) Avoid any program that is not accredited. It is easy for someone to build a fancy looking website, slap “University” all over it, and call their organization an “online school.” These “degree mills” are a waste of your time and money. Seek out good online colleges to ensure the quality of your education and safeguard your goals.
