Getting an education online is nothing new. However, online degrees have recently become popular thanks to the pandemic that has disrupted most conventional means of getting an education. That being said, obtaining a college degree online brings a few challenges of its own to the table. Here are 3 things you should know about getting a college degree online.
1. It’s All on You
When you’re attending college, you’re essentially a part of a larger, multi-faceted group that consists of students, teachers, assistants, counsellors, and more. In other words, there’s a whole network of people that function on the same schedule. Being a part of that network also causes a healthy dose of peer pressure.
Online classes are different in the sense that all of these things exist, but they aren’t a part of your daily routine. There are no dorms, no classrooms, no study halls — it all happens in your home. Most importantly, there’s no peer pressure to keep you in check. As a result, you’ll need to keep yourself focused and dedicated to finishing a degree.
2. Fluid Time Schedules
One of the best things about getting a college degree online is the flexible time schedule. Different schools offer different info regarding schedule flexibility but don’t be surprised if your school decides to leave time management to you. Many classes that are being taught online have no live lessons. Instead, you are given a prerecorded lesson that you can then internalise at your own pace.
This is a good thing, but it can be a double-edged sword as well. Being given a flexible schedule means that your time management skills need to be top-notch. Otherwise, you’re risking falling behind on multiple fronts.
3. It’s Every Bit As Hard
Back in the day when online college degrees first appeared, they were seen as a cop-out — a way of “cheating” the system because how could an online degree be as difficult as one obtained in a classroom? As it turns out, it’s every bit as difficult. The mere fact that you can choose when to study doesn’t mean that your finals will be any easier. In most cases you’re required to handle the same amount of knowledge as you would in a regular class, only it’s all happening in a different setting.
Testing is also difficult even though many people gain a false sense of advantage because they’re taking an online test. Colleges invest a lot of money in devising cheat-proof ways of taking online tests. These days it simply isn’t feasible to cheat, aside from being completely immoral.
Online College Degree Is Worth It
Furthering your education from home is still progress. You are still working on yourself and learning new things. If you’re worried that an online degree is not a “real” degree, don’t be. You are gaining the same knowledge as those who attend classes in person.
Taking classes online means that you’re either working while studying, or you’re dealing with an extraordinary circumstance, such as a global pandemic.
