April 19th, 2010

Whether you’re still in high school and considering your options for college, or a working adult who wants to go back to school later in life, you may have considered going to school online. After all, the prospect of going to college online is quite attractive — there’s no commute to school, no classrooms and no search for a parking spot. However, online education is not for everyone and there are a few things you should think about before you enroll in an online program.

Potential online students should ask themselves whether or not they consider themselves independent learners. Think back to your high school experience. Did you need a lot of one-on-one help from your teachers to understand material or did you grasp the material quickly on your own? Then think of your work experience. Do you need a lot of feedback and oversight from your boss or supervisor to work most effectively? Are you the type of person who needs more direct accountability to keep on task? If this is true of you, online education may not be the best course of action. While your online professor/instructor will be able to help you, he or she will not be speaking with you in person.

By the same token, online college is ideally suited for students who have the ability to stay on task from their homes and not get distracted by their unique surroundings. For instance, many stay-at-home parents enroll in online programs so they can keep an eye on their children while they go to school. However, if doing both is too distracting and you can’t find a balance between your children and your online classes, you will have a difficult time succeeding in an online program. Others who go to school online get distracted by the television and Internet because they are in the comfort of their own homes. Online education is right for you only if you have the ability to prioritize school, even when you are at home.

Finally, online college is right for people who are comfortable with modern technology. If you are uncomfortable with navigating the Internet, common computer programs, social networking, chat rooms, e-mail and video conferencing, online education is not your best bet. If you are savvy with these modern conveniences, then online classes will come very naturally to you.

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