Is online education for you?

For those with a restrictive schedule, online education offers a convenient way to work toward a degree while also managing work and family life.

Whether you devote nights to your coursework or you choose to weekends, online degree programs are easily attainable for everyone. While you may lose some of the college experience by completing your degree online, there are numerous advantages to getting an education online.

Determining whether receiving an online education is the right decision for you is easier once you understand what the
commitment entails and how these courses can fit within your preexisting schedule. From the price of online education
to the availability of classes, you will need to consider each component before making your final decision. Use the following information to learn about the pros and cons of online education and make an informed decision for your future.

Benefits of an Online Education

The benefits of receiving an online education are numerous for a variety of reasons. Whether you need to maintain a full-time job position or you are raising a family, the flexibility of an online education is one of its main advantages. You may encounter a degree program stipulating when you will need to be online to attend virtual lectures or discussions depending upon the courses you have selected. If you know you are unable to commit to a certain time each week to complete these assignments, you may want to research further to find a course that allows you to complete the work when it is convenient for you to do so. You can choose to complete your courses during the day or at night as long as you are submitting your work by the given deadline.

There are universities and career colleges across the United States known specifically for providing online education. Finding available coursework through these universities is an easy process and you will be able to find programs for a multitude of subjects. Whether you want to major in English or Computer Science, the availability of online education programs is vast. You will need to research what opportunities are best for you and what can be completed during your preferred timeline for receiving a degree. There may be certain minimum requirements and maximum limits for the number of classes you can take at a time in order to be remain enrolled in an online education program. However, these programs are often very flexible with coarse loads as long as you complete the program within the required timeframe.

Other benefits of an online education include the following:

• Travel is not required to complete your education through many online programs, meaning you do not have to worry about finding a way to get back and forth to school each day. This is advantageous for individuals who do not own a car or would have to travel several hours to attend the school of their choosing. Saving on the cost of transportation will allow you to spend more on the courses you wish to complete for your education.
• It is convenient for individuals who have social anxiety as you will not have to spend time in the classroom to complete your degree. If you are an introvert or if being in large crowds causes anxiety, enrolling in an online degree program will afford you the comfort of competing your courses in an environment you are comfortable with. Whether you choose to complete your education from home or a nearby library, having the freedom to select your classroom each day is a benefit of online education.
• Learning at your own pace ensures that you are not becoming overwhelmed by your coursework. Attending classes on campus can become difficult to manage if you are unable to attend at the same time each week or if you are unable to complete assignments by a specified due date. Many of the online degree programs are designed to be completed as the student has time to do so, which allows you to go at a slower pace when necessary.

Disadvantages of an Online Education

Before settling on an online education, it is important to weigh the disadvantages of this option against the benefits. One of the primary drawbacks of an online education is the limitation it places on your social interaction with other students. While there are discussion forums for online courses, you will not be directly interacting with fellow classmates unless you choose to do so independently. Furthermore, your access to on-campus activities will also be limited. If you are pursuing an online education through a local college, you will still have the chance to attend activities when you desire to do so. However, if you are enrolled in a degree program through a solely online university, you will not have the option to socially interact with your peers.

Other drawbacks of an online education include:

• Technology challenges for those who do not have direct access to a computer or wireless internet on a daily basis. While you can utilize the computers provided at your local library, you may find this to be limiting if you are only able to travel to the library on occasion. If you do not have your own personal computer or reliable internet access, you may want to pursue other avenues over receiving an online education.
• Power outages or technology failure can cause interruption to your education. Even if you do have a personal computer and dependable internet, you may still encounter issues with technology when it comes time to take an important exam online. Instances, such as power outages or computer crashes, could disrupt your coursework at a crucial moment. You would not suffer this same disadvantage if you were attending classes on campus, instead.
• Finding an online education program in your desired field could be difficult. You will need to research the availability of programs and courses you are interested in before choosing an online education over a campus experience. Typically, universities and colleges will offer many of their classes online for individuals who are unable to travel to campus to complete the work. However, there will be some programs you will need to complete in person as stipulated by the university. These instances are rare, but they do occur, and it is best to research what is available to you before enrolling in one college over another.