How Hard Are Online Classes in College?

Imagine studying mechanical engineering technology from the comfort of your couch. What if you could earn your degree in hospitality management while sipping a latte from your favorite coffee shop? How great would it be if you could earn your degree without having to spend money on dorm living, commuting to class every day, or even daycare for your kids? This is exactly what online college classes could allow you to do.

According to U.S. News & World Report, online college classes have grown in popularity over the last few years because they offer an array of advantages for students of all ages and at all stages of life. They allow you to take classes from anywhere in the world where there's internet access. They give you more control over your schedule. They can help accommodate even the busiest schedules.

What Will My College Experience Be Like Online?

But does the experience equal what you'd find in a traditional classroom? Will the instructors be as accessible, the lectures as engaging, and the coursework as rigorous?

Absolutely, according to a quantitative study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. That was back in 2014. Imagine how much better -- and more rigorous -- online courses have become since then.

College courses, whether in the classroom or online, are designed to prepare you for the challenges and changes you'll face once you land your first job. The goal is to make sure you're prepared to succeed in the real world. For many students, the rigor of online college classes is the best way to prepare.

Technology, Technology, Technology

Technology has changed every industry, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Brookings Institute. It doesn't matter if you're working in accounting, business management, criminal justice, healthcare administration, or nursing.

You're going to have to be proficient with technology in order to succeed.

Online college courses help you work with technology in order to earn your degree. While this can be challenging at times, it can also give you a leg up on the competition after graduation. After all, you'll have already used many of the same software programs and apps used in the profession to communicate, complete projects, and gain knowledge and skills you'll be using in your job.

Time Management and Organization

Online college classes give you more control over your schedule. Sure, you'll still have deadlines and due dates, but you won't necessarily have to study or listen to lectures at specific times every day or week.

You largely get to pick when you do your studying, from where you complete your homework and when you want to listen to online lectures.

This means you have be incredibly disciplined. You need to make sure you're organized. You need to display good time management skills. Also, you can't let yourself procrastinate.

For some students, this might add an extra layer of stress to the college experience, but it also teaches you skills, such as time management, that are sure to prove valuable once you graduate and land your first job.

Seeking Support

Every college student needs support from time to time. You might need help choosing the degree program that is right for you. Maybe you'll need someone to help you find balance between school, work, and all of life's other obligations. Perhaps you'll just have a few simple questions about a homework assignment.

When a student who is taking classes online needs support, they might have to be a little more assertive in seeking it out. After all, you won't be able to walk into the Student Services or Financial Aid offices.

You'll have to use technology to connect with the services and support you need. The good news is that as online courses have grown in popularity, colleges and universities have gotten a lot better at offering support to students -- from technology support to career counseling to making sure instructors are available and responsive.

Are you Ready to Go to College?

There are many reasons why online courses are growing in popularity: they can be more convenient, give you more control over your schedule, and could help you learn technology skills that you'll need in your career.

But they are not necessarily any easier than traditional courses.

What they can do is prepare you for success in the real world by making you more comfortable with technology, strengthening your time-management and organization skills, and helping you to self-motivate until you reach your goal.

Interested in taking online classes? If you want to study nursing, business, criminal justice, or other fields, ECPI University could be the right choice for you. If you want to learn more about this exciting opportunity, connect with a friendly admissions advisor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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