Common Mistakes Made By Online College Students
Trying to successfully earn your online degree can be challenging. There are a large number of pitfalls you will want to avoid, and a large number of students fail because of bad habits. Having said that, in this article I will go over some common mistakes which are made by online college students. These problems need to be avoided at all costs, as they will keep you from earning your degree and pursuing the education you want.
The first common mistake made by many people is choosing the wrong school. It could be argued that this is the most serious mistake associated with getting a degree online. There are a large number of online colleges which will charge students thousands of dollars for degrees that are worthless. Once students graduate, they realize that their degrees will not be honored by most employers, and they have wasted thousands of dollars for nothing. This is basically a type of fraud, and it is important for you to be aware of it. Prior to attending a online college, make sure they are accredited by the correct regional organization. In addition to this, make sure they will have the necessary resources to help you.
The second mistake which is commonly made by students is procrastinating. Many people simply cannot handle the responsibility of being able to complete their assignments at their own pace. They continue putting off homework or assignments until it is too late to finish them. If a student procrastinates, it make take them years to finish their degree, if they are not removed from the college altogether. Earning a degree online requires you to be focused, motivated, and self-disciplined. If you lack these qualities, earning your online degree will be very difficult. Setting up a weekly schedule and sticking to it will help you.
The third common mistake made by students is failing to communicate with their instructors and classmates. Forming a strong connection to your peers will make it easier for you to succeed. Even if you are learning from the comfort of your own home, knowing that you have instructors and peers who can help you will give you a good feeling. If you do not feel like you are a part of the class, it will be difficult for you to succeed. Message boards are a great way to ask questions or voice concerns. If you have a problem, or you are confused about something, don’t be afraid to ask. The results of not solving a problem can be a lot worse than asking for help.
The fourth biggest mistake which is made by online college students is spending too much money. Many students get loans to pay for school, only to graduate a few years later and find out that it will take them 20 years to pay off the loan. There is no point in getting $60,000 worth of students loans only to graduate and find at job that will only pay you $30,000 each year. When you attend a online university, make sure you can pay back your loans within a reasonable period of time. If possible, seek financial aid. There are a large number of government grants and scholarships which can help you pay for your classes. If you get scholarships or grants, you won’t have to pay this money back. You should only get a loan when it is absolutely necessary, and you should always seek the lowest interest rates possible.
When it comes to books and supplies, you can save money if you look in the right places. If your instructor suggests a book which is expensive, find a comparable book which is sold at a lower price. Another problem that you will run into even if you have earned your degree from a good online college is employer ignorance. Unfortunately, many employers still do things the old fashioned way, and require their employees to have graduated from traditional colleges. If you apply for a job with an online degree, they may be uneasy about highering you. However, it should be noted that this problem will decrease as we move further into the future. More companies wille eventually see the benefits of online education, and those that do not may not be in business for very long.
