Online Student Survival Guide

Archive for the ‘Elements of Online Learning’ Category

Going Back to School this Fall?

admin on August 27, 2010

“Back to School” isn’t just for kids these days—an ever-increasing number of adults are heading back to college to finish a degree or get an advanced degree. An accredited degree in a high-demand field can make a significant difference in both employment and lifelong earning potential. However, most adults need the flexibility and accessibility of a non-traditional college, and for many, an online university is the best fit for their busy lives. But going to college, even going online, requires a significant investment in both time and money, so prospective students need to be smart consumers.

Non-profit Western Governors University, www.wgu.edu, offers five tips to help working adults find the best value in an online university.

Read all Five Tips for Going Back to School

Three Reasons to Create a Study Workspace

admin on June 3, 2010

One of the many benefits of attending an online university is the convenience of working at home. Without the need to show up for classes at a specific time and location, you have the freedom to work when, where, and how you like. But before putting on your pajamas and setting up shop on the sofa, consider the following three important reasons to set up a separate workspace in your home.

  1. Limited distractions. Your living room, kitchen and bedroom are laden with people and things to distract you from your study time. While an online university is convenient, it’s up to you to manage your time. Try using an extra room as a home office. If you can’t spare the space, put a desk in the corner of another room. The key is putting a door between you and the noise. Clear away magazines, books and other materials from your desk as well to make sure you focus on your online degree and nothing else.
  2. Effective studying. For most people, working well is accompanied by the right state of mind. If you choose to lounge and study on your sofa, you will probably be less likely to retain the information you study. This wastes both time and effort. Equate your home office with your regular office; you are there to get things done. Avoid using your workspace at home for things outside of studying. Creating a mindset of focus and learning in one area of your home will help you leave other areas of focus behind. And while your workspace should keep you alert, that doesn’t mean you can’t enhance your environment in a positive way. Hang a bulletin board outlining your schedule and assignments. Invest in a comfortable office chair and desk lamp. By surrounding yourself with work-related items, you will be more likely to use your space efficiently.
  3. Established boundaries. If you have kids and other people in the house, it can be a challenge to get a moment to yourself to work toward your online degree. Oftentimes, it isn’t enough to simply say, “Please give me a few minutes to study.” This is why establishing boundaries is important for others as well as yourself. Explain to your family that your workspace is yours and should not be used for any other purpose—at least until you have earned your online degree. Hang a sign on the door to alert your kids when you are in study mode and encourage them to only interrupt you if it’s important. Your kids will learn to respect your study time more quickly if you are consistently working in the same location.

Earning a degree from an online university can be difficult to integrate into your home life, but a designated workspace will make it easier. Set up a temporary office for yourself and use it to your advantage. You will find your time is more valuable in your own space.

Why You Should Go Back to School

WGU on October 20, 2009

wguo0139

Would you like to earn a college degree? Do you have reservations about going back to school? It’s natural for our nerves to get the best of us when we’re confronting a major life experience. But don’t fret. Many people have been in your shoes before. You probably know a friend, neighbor, or family member who went back to college after a number of years. If it makes you feel better, talk to them and ask about their experience. They can give you insight and calm your nerves.

So why should you go back to school? Well, by pursuing a college degree, you can:

Explore your career interest- Maybe you’re ready to take your career in a whole new direction. A college degree program can help you learn more about your field of interest. It can also help you develop the skills and knowledge that you need to succeed in your chosen field.

You can boost your earning potential- Last year; the median salary for those 25 and older with a high school diploma was around $30,732. For those with a Bachelor’s degree, that number was around $50,856. Those with a Master’s degree earned around $63,856.
The unemployment rate was also significantly lower for those with degrees. For high school graduates the rate was 5.7 percent. For those with Bachelor’s degrees, the rate was 2.8 percent*.

Set an example for your friends and family- By earning your college degree, you can feel proud in knowing that you accomplished a major goal. You can also make your friends and family proud and inspire them to fulfill their educational goals as well.

At Western Governors University, the student experience is designed to meet your needs—so you won’t have to choose between work, family, or school. But earning your degree will be challenging and WGU’s programs are ideal for strong independent leaners. Learn more about our online degrees and programs today!

*http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab7.htm

Why an Online University Degree Program is Ideal for You

WGU on October 9, 2009

img_2668

As we all know, there are only 24 hours in a day. If you’re lucky to get eight hours of sleep, your actual day is reduced to 16 hours. If you work a full-time job, you can subtract another eight to fourteen hours from that. So that gives you two to eight hours of free time. That’s not a lot of time especially if you are raising a family or working another job.
So where is all of this going? Basically, this shows that after we fulfill all of our obligations, we may not have that much time to spare. If you have aspirations of earning a college degree, the last thing that you want to do is spend all of your spare time in a classroom.

Actually, you don’t have to. An online degree program gives you the flexibility that traditional degree programs often lack. These programs allow you to earn a degree completely online without having to sacrifice your current obligations.

While attending an online university, you can study anytime and anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection. You can study during your lunch break, while your kids are sleeping, or whenever you have free time. In fact, most online degree programs are designed for people with busy lifestyles. That’s why they are more flexible than a degree program at a brick and mortar college.

An online university degree program is also more cost-effective than a traditional degree program. Why? For one, you’re saving gas money since you don’t have to drive anywhere. You’re also saving the money that you would spend on books and parking passes. If you have little ones, you know that finding a babysitter can be difficult at times. With online learning, you won’t have to worry about that since you can study at home. You also won’t have to worry about scraping up extra money to pay a babysitter.

Are you looking for an online university that’s dedicated to helping you accomplish your professional and educational goals? Then discover the difference of an award-winning university. Western Governors University will give  you the support that you need every step of the way but you will need to be a strong independent learner to succeed. You’ll also get a great education that won’t create financial hardship for you and your family.

Take the first step towards a brighter future. Request more information about Western Governors University today!

Online University Learning Myths

WGU on October 7, 2009

untitled 

During the 2006-2007 school year, there were approximately 11,200 college-level programs that were designed to be completed totally through distance education. One of the reasons why many students turned to these online education programs was because they met their demands for flexible schedules*.

Would you like to earn a college degree but are afraid to do so online? Have you heard so many things about an online degree program that you’re not quite sure what to believe? Don’t let other people’s negativity stop you from reaching your educational goals. Do some research of your own and then make your decision. 

Here are common myths about online education that you’ve probably heard before:

Online degree programs are of low quality-Shopping for an online degree program is like shopping for a car or any big ticket item. You’ll find that the quality and selection of program offerings can vary from school to school. Don’t let the school’s name alone influence your decision. Make sure that you try to find an online university that meets your needs.

You won’t have anyone to help you-Today’s virtual campuses offer a great deal of academic and technical support. Many degree programs offer learning resources like mentoring or web-based tutorials. You will also have the opportunity to interact with other students. If you experience any difficulty accessing your course materials, many online schools offer 24/7 technical support.

Learning online will be a breeze-True, you don’t have to attend classes on campus but that doesn’t mean that your online degree program will be a breeze. Online degree programs can be just as intense as the ones offered at a traditional college. In order to successfully complete your online degree program, you’ll need to stay focused and committed.

At reputable online universities such as Western Governors University, you’ll get the support that you need every step of the way. WGU’s online degree programs are ideal for strong independent learners.  Request more information about Western Governors University today!

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2009/2009044.pdf