Is An Online College Degree Right For You?

The entire world these days can run on a virtual format.  It is possible to go grocery shopping virtually, fully work from home, and even go on dates.  Of course being able to do a college degree online is also possible. The question is, is an online learning format right for you?  There are many different factors that you need to consider to determine if an online college degree is right for you.

Read below to understand the factors, which can help you determine if an online learning format is right for you.

Motivation

To be successful in online learning, you have to be motivated.  To help determine you motivation level, you should determine your desired outcome.  What exactly are you hoping to accomplish by obtaining this degree? Job stability?  Different job? Better job?  Better pay? Better credentials? Personal interest?

Make certain the benefits are powerful enough to keep you motivated when things get difficult.  You should not invest your time, energy and money into something that you will not complete.  If the answer is”yes the benefits are greater”, then your motivation will probably be even greater.

Finances

School is a big financial commitment.  This is whether it is in person or online.  Many people find it difficult to pay for school.  The advantage of online college is that it is more affordable than traditional schools.  Lots of times tuition is less.  Also, there are little costs associated with school.  You do not have to worry about gas because you do not have to commute to school.  Also, most online schools do not require students to purchase textbooks. Overall, if your finances are not that strong an online education may be a great fit for you.

Type Of Learner

The type of learner you are makes a big difference in your success in online education formats.  There are four different types of learning personalities.  Out of the four learning styles, three will thrive in online learning environments.  These three are read/write learners, auditory learners, and visual learners.  The only type of learner that will not thrive in an online learning environment is the kinesthetic learner.

Read/Write Learners

Read/Write learners are extremely word-oriented.  They prefer to view information in words as opposed to listening to it, or seeing graphic representations of it.  They shouldn’t be confused with”visual learners”.  One of the advantages of this style of learning for online formats is that a large portion of instruction is done through independent learning.  Most online degree programs provide their pupils with the PowerPoints used during lecture, which will also aid in retention to the read/write learner.

Auditory Learner

If you discover your lips moving as you process information, you are probably an auditory learner.  One of the advantages of online learning for auditory learners is that with online lectures, they can be watched/listened to as many times as they want, unlike a traditional classroom that’s confined to one lecture.

Visual Learners

Visual learners shouldn’t be confused with read/write learners since their primary mode of learning is “seeing” the information in a representative fashion, like in the kind of images, graphs, videos, or diagrams.  The visual learner may also be known as the”spatial learner” in that they prefer to see  the information displayed.

Kinesthetic learners

Kinesthetic learners (also called tactile learners) sadly will have the most trouble with the online learning format. Kinesthetic learners benefit the most from performing tasks to learn concepts.  They are the”hands on” learners who learn by doing, as opposed to listening or seeing.

If you’re a tactile learner in an online degree program, you might want to find opportunities for outside hands on learning of the material.  This may include reaching out to specialists or finding friends and family that are  knowledgeable, and will help walk you through some  the material.

Organization

Can you create a schedule and stick with it, even if distractions come up?  Do you know how to establish timely goals for yourself and do you finish them?  Do you generally need external reinforcement to accomplish goals? Are you comfortable taking the initiative to ask questions whenever you’re unclear about expectations?

If you answered Yes to these questions, then you are probably a great candidate for online learning.  If you answered no to one or more of these questions, there’s still hope!

If you’re not the most organized person it may mean that you will need a little additional assistance.  If staying organized isn’t your forte, you need to keep a very organized calendar.  This calendar should include everything and not just deadlines.  This calendar should include goal deadlines, rough draft deadlines, chapter completion deadlines and so much more.  The more thought you put into organizing your online classes, the easier things will be.

Personality

Given the choice of traditional classroom or online format, frequently introverts (or people that are shy) gravitate towards the online format.  Class discussions can be overwhelming if you feel awkward speaking in front of a group of individuals, or for people who need the time to properly internalize the material before forming an opinion that they feel comfortable discussing.  The online format can be quite attractive for people who prefer working independently.

Extroverts might also enjoy aspects of online learning.  Extroverts may find more interaction with fellow online students than in a traditional classroom.  It is common that students in  traditional class settings hardly ever speak to each other.  Online classes that depend on online chats ensure participation, meaning everyone has to talk (or write their thoughts).

Hyperactive students benefit greatly from online classes.  In contrast to the idea that they won’t have the ability to sit still, motivate themselves, etc..  Hyperactivity often includes the need to get up and move around.  You can pause an online lecture and move around; you can not do this in a traditional classroom.  The advantage of online courses is that you can pause, rewind, and replicate data as much as you desire.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle can be among the most influential factors in determining whether or not online learning is ideal for you. Some questions to ask  yourself are:

• Is your work schedule inconsistent?
• Do you have a full time job?
• Have you got chronic illness?
• Do you have a lot of family responsibilities?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then distance learning is a great way to further your education. Having a hectic lifestyle can lead to needing a more flexible schedule when it comes to school.  Online college will allow a flexible schedule by not having to attend fixed time class lectures.

It is great that we live in a time where there is an option between traditional college and online college.  With these two choices, there is an option for everyone.  Hopefully, after understanding the factors that go into online college you are able to figure out what is best for your educational journey.