Online degree is quickly becoming the
preferred avenue for millions of adult students to get professional
degrees and certifications. Yet, some studies suggest that as many as 28
percent of adult learners drop out of their classes within the first
semester. This can be for a variety of personal reasons, but for many
it’s because they failed to take the time to select the right online
degree program to meet their individual needs.
Choosing the right online colledges of
study is critical to being successful with this convenient form of
learning. To help you with making the best choice for your educational
and career goals, here are some helpful tips.
Tip 1: Be clear about your learning goals.
Whether you are planning to take online
degree classes to earn a certificate, a college degree, or just for
professional knowledge, this goal should be established early on. This
will help you to decide what program of study you want to take and in
what format. It will also help you to decide the cost and time factors
for your studies.
Tip 2: Select an online degree program for your style of learning.
Every person has a unique way of seeing
the world, but most humans fall under one of three styles of learning
and retaining information. These are auditory learning, visual learning
and tactile learning. Think back to previous educational experience
you’ve had, and consider how your learning style will be met through
online classes, and how you will adapt.
Tip 3: Go with an accredited online education program.
A quality online educational program
must meet specific regional guidelines to qualify for educational
status. Therefore you will want to select an online program that is
associated with or managed by an accredited college or university, in
order to avoid diploma mills and other educational scams online.
Tip 4: Research schools and online education programs before applying.
Many of the best distance learning
programs have been reviewed by former students and rated by
international publications. Be sure to read through these reviews and
ratings when choosing an online learning program. A good place to start
is the US News Colleges website, which posts updated rankings.
Tip 5: Evaluate the time to completion of online degree programs.
If you need a degree fast, for your
career, you may need to consider an accelerated online education vs.
standard online degree programs. You can take your classes at a rate of
6-weeks each instead of the traditional 12-week classes, which can help
you obtain your degree in less time.
Tip 6: Choose online education that offers financial aid and scholarships.
Going back to college is one thing,
actually paying the cost of tuition and books are another. As you
evaluate online degree programs, be sure to find out if you are eligible
for financial support in the form of scholarship money, grants, and
student loans.
Tip 7: Opt for online learning with a human touch.
Being an online learner can be
isolating, so opt for a school that provides a good mix of self-driven
coursework and human collaboration. It can make a big difference if you
have an actual instructor or peers you can reach out to on a difficult
assignment or group project.
Source: AfterSchoolAfrica
No comments:
Post a Comment