Survive Being an Online College Student

Survive Being an Online College Student

Isn’t it everyone’s dream to make it big after graduating from college? A lot of people would most likely dream of landing a promising career that pays them really well. Perhaps, they’ll also wish to be traveling around the world and buying everything they want and need.

Before all of that could come true, though, the first step they need to take is to enrol in a college or university and get a bachelor’s degree.

With the rising cost of education nowadays, it can be difficult for a lot of young adults to survive being in college.

For one, an aspiring college student needs a substantial amount of money to be able to enrol in a good college or university. This can be in the form of a college loan. And just like any loan, it has interests that can make the debt all the more overwhelming.

Aside from your tuition fee, you’ll also need to spend on board and lodging. Unless there’s a good school near you, you’ll have to live in a college dorm or university hall or student accommodation if you’ll be in college, which could cost you somewhere between $8,000 and $13,000 per year.

Aside from the high cost of being in college, there are other harsh realities you need to face.

1. Getting to and from your school can be so taxing.

Even when you live inside the campus, you’ll still need to get up early to get to your class on time. This can be hard if you’re juggling your academics and a part-time job (which is necessary to help you fund for your education).

1. You’ll be living with total strangers.

If you live in a dorm, you’ll be sharing the room with another student. Of course, this will be a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends and perhaps, meet the love of your life. But you’ll also have to put up with their noise, their bad habits, and their equally annoying friends.

1. You’ll have to take care of yourself.

You’re in college now, which means that mom won’t be there to make you lunch or dinner. There’s no one else to do your laundry or clean your room. You’re on your own. And when you get sick, you’ll also need to look after yourself because your parents won’t be there 24/7.

1. There will be too many distractions.

Living in a university hall means living with other people who can be noisy, disgusting, annoying, and just cause complete chaos. And because parties are in abundance when you’re in college, living away from home can make you more vulnerable to give in to every invitation you get. This means that you’ll be endangering your future, especially if you fail all your majors and get kicked out of your school.

1. There’s not much help available.

When you’re confused about an assignment or research, you’re pretty much on your own to solve the problem. Although you can ask your professor for clarifications, there’s nothing much they can do.

Given all these challenges, how are you supposed to survive being a college student in the traditional way?

Have you ever considered being an online college student?

Nowadays, there are one in four students who take online courses, either mixed with on-campus education or as part of an entire online degree program. There are so many benefits to taking online classes.

• Allow you to do two things at a time.

The online college program is perfect for those who are struggling with being a student while taking care of their family or maintaining a full-time job. An online college course can also be the solution for those who are looking to advance in their career, change professions, or pick up where they left off.

• Finish at your own pace.

Taking college subjects online lets students, like you, finish the course at your own pace. This means that you can do better in online classes. This is because the quality of education is the same but you are given the chance to finish the program in the pace that you are comfortable in.

• Have a better chance at succeeding.

Studies even show that those who opt for online college courses perform better on standardized tests. Unlike in a classroom setting, there are no other people who will pressure you during lectures. Aside from that, you’ll be able to pause and review your notes to be able to have a better grasp of what you are currently discussing.

• Be able to manage your time better.

If you’re married and have a family to take care of, you’ll have a hard time showing up for class. By opting to get a degree through an online college program, you’ll be able to schedule your classes at a most convenient time. You’ll also be able to fulfill all your duties as a wife/husband, parent, and as a career person.

Aside from that, you won’t need to spend time at the library since everything can now be found on the internet. If you need help with your homework, for example, there are online sources that assist you. There’s even an online tutoring service that’s conducted by a team of professional tutors who can help you with any subject. Be it essays or group projects, these experienced college tutors can guide you to help you save time and effort.

• Be able to save money.

When you’re not commuting or driving to get to your school, you won’t need to spend anything on fare or gas. You can also do away with hiring a babysitter to watch over your children while you’re in class. All of this can have a huge impact on your finances.

When you’re staying at home to get a college degree, there are so many other things you could during your free time.

For one, you’ll be able to have more time reaching out to family and friends. If your parents or siblings live in another state, you’ll be able to use your spare time talking with them about anything and everything under the sun. This is because you won’t have to spend time traveling from your house to the university.

While you’re not answering homework writing essays, you can enjoy some “me time.” You can treat yourself to some home spa or massage. You can also do some retail therapy and go online shopping. By doing these, you won’t get bored with your online course and enjoy your life as normally as possible.

To succeed in an online course, take a look at these useful tips.

1. Confirm technical requirements.

Since you’ll be using your own computer or laptop, make sure that your device meets the technical requirements of the online course. You may be asked to download and install a software that has minimum technical requirements. Make sure that your PC will work when the course starts.

1. Get to know instructors before the classes start.

This will help you become more comfortable being in contact with them. Throughout the course, you’ll need to get in touch with them to clarify homework, projects, and things that might confuse you. By connecting with instructors early on, you’ll have a better idea of what the instructor is like.

1. Stay organized.

Just because you’re studying at home doesn’t mean you have no schedule to follow. There are no teachers to follow up on your progress like on-campus classes. So you have to work harder in following your schedule and staying on top of your school works.

1. Maintain a consistent workspace.

Another important factor that can help you succeed in your online course is a clean, organized and quiet place to study. Make your study area consistent, be it a secret nook in your house, a public library, or a not-so-crowded coffee shop. That way you’ll be able to focus on your subjects.

With all these in mind, you should now be able to succeed in being an online college student