More students than ever are choosing to learn online. A new study finds a 17% increase in online enrollment. The same study found 25% of college students are taking at least one course online. That means more college students are having to learn new skills for learning. Participating in a distance learning college requires a different approach to a traditional classroom setting. There is less opportunity for personal interaction and no one to track your progress. That means online college students may need to be more disciplined.
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.
Set goals for your education. If you know how long you want to take to get your degree, you can figure out how many classes to take each year. Many online schools go year round, so you can finish your degree in less than four years or take more years to fit your schedule. If you plan to get financial aid, make sure you have enough money to cover all your years of study. Set short term goals for completing class projects and weekly reading. If you get behind in your assignments you will waste time trying to catch up. If you need more information about online degrees, look on the internet.
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. Weighing the value of accredited distance learning degree can speed your success.
Ask your family and friends for support. Everyone may have been excited when you announced you were going to college. They want you to succeed. But what happens when the baby's screaming or someone needs a ride somewhere? Letting your friends and family know your study schedule will help them respect your boundaries. During school is not the time to run errands or answer phone calls. Consider blocking off your class time on a daily calendar.
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.
Set goals for your education. If you know how long you want to take to get your degree, you can figure out how many classes to take each year. Many online schools go year round, so you can finish your degree in less than four years or take more years to fit your schedule. If you plan to get financial aid, make sure you have enough money to cover all your years of study. Set short term goals for completing class projects and weekly reading. If you get behind in your assignments you will waste time trying to catch up. If you need more information about online degrees, look on the internet.
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. Weighing the value of accredited distance learning degree can speed your success.
Ask your family and friends for support. Everyone may have been excited when you announced you were going to college. They want you to succeed. But what happens when the baby's screaming or someone needs a ride somewhere? Letting your friends and family know your study schedule will help them respect your boundaries. During school is not the time to run errands or answer phone calls. Consider blocking off your class time on a daily calendar.
About the Author:
Accredited online universities offer wonderful flexibility. You must be disciplined and set goals to succeed in obtaining your own best degrees from distance learning programs.
