For many young people, pursuing higher education can be a rewarding, yet stressful, experience. The following tips can help you be successful if you’re making the decision to earn your degree or certification in an online university.
1. Do I have time to study?
We all think that we have many hands that allow us to do many tasks at once. Being a multi-tasking individual can lead you to a total burnout before achieving your initial goal. Before you decide to take on the responsibility of attending an online university, make sure you have time set aside to study. It’s a lot of dedication and solid work effort that goes into pursuing a degree or certification.
2. Can I concentrate on my own?
Many first-time higher education learners are recent graduates of high school. You are coming into the world of being an adult learner and you have to be able to set your guidelines to concentrate on your studies by yourself. It can be a challenge to come from a high school where your teacher continually reminds you to excel, whereas now you must work alone to move further in your studies. Don’t fret that you don’t feel that you can work solitarily; there are some ways you can study and include the environment so you won’t feel isolated. Many individuals listen to music or have the television on in the background. Entertainment can sometimes allow you to be more connected in your society and not feel alone.
3. Will I be ok studying without any friends?
Studying with your peers can be rewarding for some individuals. They can turn to each other for moral support throughout their educational journeys. Many online universities have study groups within the online classroom for students to connect as they face challenges within their curriculum. You can usually find a link on the university website or contact your academic counselor for more information.
4. Does the school offer the program I am looking for?
There are many online universities that offer programs to help you obtain your higher degree or certification. The choices are plentiful; you have to narrow down what’s best for you to pursue and do your research on the best success rate on your chosen choice career. Most online universities are 100% online, while others are 50%, meaning that you have to attend some classes that are on campus. It’s your decision on what you wish to do in regards to your education.
5. What type of evaluation methods do they use?
Many online universities required you to send them your high school/college transcripts. The documents are for placement in your chosen programs. Some online universities may also require you to take a placement exam to help determine your required curriculum for your online courses.
6. Will I have access to faculty?
When you run across any situations related to your education, there’s a team of academic support there to get you through it. Your online instructor is there to support you if you have a problem within the online classroom. For example, if you don’t understand the initial instructions listed in the curriculum, all you have to do is reach out through to your instructor in his or her email, and they will explain what you have to do in class. If you have other problems with your academics or just overall questions, you can reach out to your academic counselor by making an appointment by calling or emailing them with your concerns. Your online university has a full staff of individuals at the ready to help you succeed.
7. What are the costs of the program? How do they compare to on-campus programs?
The cost of your chosen online university courses is determined when you first contact the university through the online enrollment advisor. They help you with filling out the required paperwork for the financial outlook for the program you are pursuing. If you need financial assistance, you fill out the free form for aid at www.fasfa.gov, or if you pay directly out of pocket, they will help you set up a payment plan. Costs for an online vs. an on-campus university are pretty much the same; it all depends on your program.
8. What certifications/diplomas will be useful for the career I am looking to pursue?
Depending your online university, there will be various programs that will be appropriate to apply for the correct diploma or certification for your chosen career. For example, you are interested in seeking an early childhood development program, your online academic advisor will suggest to you to pursue a four-year degree in education and also obtain certification in teaching. Depending on your chosen career, it can be six months or two to four years to get certification/diploma.
9. Will these certifications/diplomas will be useful for the career I am looking to pursue?
Pursuing your certification or diploma is an essential step to your chosen career. Many employers require their future employees to be certified and/or be college graduates. The practicality of obtaining higher education is a necessity in today’s work environment.
10. Is there an alumni network I can take advantage of?
Many online universities have great support for their graduates. The purpose of the alumni is to help with career placement and to keep in touch with you as you advance on your career path. Many online universities and alumni also have social media websites that you as a graduate can easily keep in touch with as you are transitioning in your career. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are a few popular social media sites that your online university may be associated with also. You can find the information for the alumni network for your online school at the online university’s website.