Are you Cut Out for Online Classes?
by Kathy Seaton
Improving your education is a solid step towards advancing in your life and career. With the availability of online classes, it’s become more convenient to pursue courses and do the required work on your own time. However, taking online courses doesn’t mean that completing tasks and assignments will be a walk in the park. You may be foregoing trips to the classroom, but the work load for online courses will still remain impactful and, in some cases, even more challenging than you may expect. It’s important to consider a few things before committing to an online course to make sure you are cut out for this method of learning.
Online course workload
The idea of being able to learn while in your pajamas with a bowl of popcorn can entice almost anybody to consider taking an online course. However, it’s important to recognize that because these courses cut out class time, it doesn’t mean that they cut out any amount of coursework. In fact, it’s not uncommon for online courses to have a slightly heavier workload due to the availability and unrestricted learning time the student has disposable to them. When participating in a self-directed study atmosphere, it’s vital to stay in line with your workload while balancing your personal life and current career.
Personal skillset
If you’re a highly organized and motivated person, online courses are a great option for you. If you’re an accomplished adult with a full time job, daily routine, and an incentive to complete an online course, you should have no problems getting it done. Being familiar with technology and using your skills to keep your study materials prepared is a great way to get started. Carving out dedicated time for studying and completing assignments is also crucial for online students. It’s easy to push something off when you can do it at home, but doing this, you’ll quickly realize how overwhelming it is when you have to play ‘catch-up’ on your own.
Some questions to ask yourself:
- Do you work well alone and are self-guided?
- You will have to be self-reliant when taking an online course. Needing the environment of other peers to lead your studies means you may have a hard time adjusting to online learning.
- Do you keep a regular planner and maintain your schedule?
- Keeping all of your scheduled commitments and due dates on the same calendar will make it easier to set time aside to study and work along with all of life’s other demands.
- Do you write and communicate well in writing?
- With online coursework, there will be a lot of writing involved since you are not present in a classroom to participate in lectures. Prepare to express yourself and your thoughts in writing for online courses.
- Do you have access to the internet regularly?
- Smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops and the like, are vital for online courses. You will need to be able to access your email throughout the day for announcements and to submit coursework on respective due dates.
Take a look at your options for online courses and map out your schedule to see how it will fit into your lifestyle. Taking classes online is an awesome way to advance your career and enhance your education, especially if you are well suited for self-studying with the motivation to succeed.