Scared to Take Online Classes? They Might be Easier than You Think!
Going back to school can be a stressful experience. No matter how much you enjoyed going to school in the past, it is not unusual that you will feel reluctant to go back at a time when you are expected to be moving forward in life. The truth is that the traditional classroom experience of college isn't for everybody.
Working adults face significant obstacles and have unmovable commitments that can scuttle a return to the classroom before it even begins. However, online courses present an alternative that you may be able to fit into your schedule. If you have never taken them before or are apprehensive about trying, you may be pleased to hear that taking online classes may be easier than you think.
Common Fears For Students Starting Online Classes
Even if we have never taken an online course, we all know someone who has had a bad experience or has doubts about the value of classes taken online. However, these pessimistic views are not as concerning as very real fears that are commonly experienced by students who are new to taking classes online.
The first such fear is usually that the classes will be too difficult. Others believe that they will not be able to work independently because of limitations on their time or poor time management skills. It is very common to be concerned that online study will be an isolating experience and that you will have no one to turn to when you are having difficulties.
There is a perception that online classes mean no teachers or instructors will be available to help when you need it the most. While these are all valid concerns, they may not necessarily be merited. In the most recent decade, trial and error combined with advances in technology have provided many solutions to the most common dilemmas that troubled online students in the past.
Online Learning Programs Provide Solutions
Current online learning programs have listened to feedback from students and instructors and made the necessary changes to provide an environment that is conducive to student success. Streaming video innovations have made student networks true workgroups where both group work and individual assignments can be completed. Shared cloud workspaces such as Google Docs make all work that is being done for the class available to the instructor at all times for corrections or further discussion.
Face-to-face private teleconferences with instructors give students the opportunity to work more closely with their online instructor than was possible in the past. 24-hour chat servers give students the opportunity to post questions when they have them and allow the other students or the instructor to answer them when they are available.
When all things are taken into account, the concerns that you are on your own when taking an online class are unfounded. You may even find that technology is making your educational partners more accessible than ever.
The Benefits of Online Education
The advantages of online education are manifold, but you would be surprised how often they are overlooked as a result of persistent anxieties that discourage students from taking that first course. For example, if you have a job that requires travel a traditional classroom learning experience would be a non-starter. However, you are able to take your online classes wherever there happens to be an internet connection. The public library, Starbucks, or your hotel room can become the classroom the moment you open up your laptop.
The importance of the flexibility cannot be understated. Working adults have to schedule their class work and study time when taking online courses cannot be overstated. When you only have a few hours in a day between picking up the kids from school and dinnertime, the ability to fit your classes into this tight schedule can save your academic career.
Some online courses can also give you the opportunity to work ahead and complete coursework well in advance of deadlines in order to accelerate your educational experience and graduate early. This help to make the courses even more flexible.
Are you interested in online classes? If you want to earn a degree in fields such as technology, business, criminal justice, or health science, ECPI University might be the right fit for you. For more information about undertaking one of these programs, connect with a friendly admissions representative today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.