Zachary Morley Saint (St.) Louis University | Tips for Success in Online Education
Online education is becoming a popular and convenient way for people all over the world to learn. You can earn an advanced degree and further your career, without having to quit your job, relocate, or waste time commuting to class. Zachary Morley from Saint Louis University says online learning is also a great way for people who want to take just a class or two to achieve personal enhancement. Whatever your educational goal, online learning is right at your fingertips, but there are some considerations to take into account. Here are a few things to consider before beginning an online educational program that will help make it an enjoyable and successful experience.
Define Your Goals
What do you hope to gain from your online educational experience? Are you aiming to earn a post-graduate degree to advance in your career, or do you simply desire to learn more about a certain field or subject? Know what your goals are before you begin looking for a program. This will help you find a school that will match your individual needs.
Do Your Research
Know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Utilize every resource you can to find out about different online programs that will help you reach your goals. Make sure the school is a legitimate, accredited institution. Compare tuition costs and program curriculum for different programs to make sure you’re getting the most for your money, and ask to speak with admissions representatives to get a better feel for which program is right for you. You can also talk to people in your field who have taken online classes in the past and seek their advice. It’s also important to remember that some “online” programs do require brief residencies at the university’s campus. If you don’t have the means or aren’t willing to travel, make sure you don’t enroll in a program that requires limited residency halfway across the country.
Perform a Technology Check
You’ll want to make sure you have access to all the technological tools you’ll need for your online program. Many online programs have specific computer requirements because of the special software used in their classes. Find out what the requirements are for your program and make sure you have everything you’ll need. If you’re not sure how to go about getting your computer up to speed, ask a representative from the school. Make sure to do this before the class begins to avoid getting stuck and frustrated when something doesn’t work properly during your class.
Stay Motivated
Some people find motivation harder to come by when taking online class as opposed to an on-campus class, especially if they are juggling work and family obligations with education. Be aware that online classes can be demanding, and finding time to do your assignments might be difficult. Be prepared to make sacrifices. If you’re tight on time or not a self-starter, make sure you set up a study schedule that will work for you and keep you motivated. This might mean you need to have a friend, family member, or classmate help you study or hold you accountable for assignments. Find something that works for you and stick with it. Remember why you enrolled in the program in the first place and constantly keep your goals in mind. Keeping your eye on the prize will help you stay focused.
Zachary Morley St. Louis University, If you think online learning is for you, take some time to consider your educational goals and plan wisely. You could be learning online in no time!