Choosing to go to college online is a tough decision. You have to make sure that going to college online works for you....because it's great for some people, but not for others. You need to be disciplined and ready to earn your degree.
Instructions
1. First, choose an online school, or think about colleges that you might like to attend. Make sure it works for you. There's the University of Phoenix, Excelsior, Thomas Edison State College, and more. Also, trycollege.com is a great resource to earn credits. Whether you want an undergraduate degree or a graduate degree, this stuff can be tough!
2. Research the online college or colleges that you would like to attend. Consider the length of each term, the structure of the classes and the availability of academic advising.
3. Make sure that the online college that you choose is accredited. An accredited institution will offer more future opportunities for you than a non-accredited one.
4. If necessary, obtain financial aid. Before you begin classes, make sure you have the means to afford them. If possible, apply for scholarships. Scholarships can make college much more affordable.
5. Choose a course of study which works for you. If you think you can get your online degree in English successfully, but not in math, stick to your English degree. If you choose a course of study that requires face-to-face teaching, you may not be as successful.
6. Next, create a schedule. Since you'll be managing your own time and coursework, you'll need to designate time each week to log on and do work. Pick one day a week to do work, and don't make excuses - if you want that degree, you've got to work for it! So, let's say you choose Thursdays. Every Thursday, sit down and get all of your weekly work done if you can. Think of it this way: if you don't, you'll be late on your assignments, and you're not paying all of that money to fail! (Or, if your job reimburses you, you want to work for that full reimbursement!)
7. Make sure to stay disciplined. If possible, keep in touch with a friend in your program in order to stay on track. You can motivate each other, and you won't want to fall behind as your friend progresses. Also, you and your friend can stick together and proofread each other's work.
8. Plan your courses for the future. You don't want to miss an important class or double up when you don't need to. Decide when you can handle two classes at once or you need a break. After all, online classes are great for busy schedules because of flexibility, but you have to make it work for yourself.
9. Take your classes and complete the program. It'll be worth it in the end, plus you didn't sit through any boring classes!
