Reading Time: 3 minutes Six Reasons To Consider Online Learning
This is a collaborative post by Ellie Jo about the benefits of online learning.
Continuing your studies can be very rewarding, whether you’re considering new qualifications to advance your career or pursuing further education in a topic you’re interested in. However, fitting in these studies around the demands of life, from work to family, can be tricky. Studying online, through an online university or social learning providers could be the answer.
Six Reasons To Consider Online Learning
1. It looks good to potential employers.
Studying online means you have to be very strict and well organized with your schedule and prioritize very efficiently. With no timetables from the college, your studies are driven by your own motivation to learn. This commitment to your subject, ability to study independently, and your drive are sure to impress a recruiter or potential employer. If you’re studying something relevant to your career, you also have the advantage of being up to date on any new developments in the industry.
2. Save on tuition fees and commuting costs.
Tuition fees are rising everywhere, but learning online can cost a lot less. It’s also more flexible, so you’ll be able to earn a living around your studies. Studying online also means you can study at home, saving you the cost of university accommodation and traveling to campus. No commute saves you time too.
3. Flexibility
Online learning is more convenient, as you can study as and when you choose. You can maintain your job, go traveling, start a business or just build your studies around your social life, and fit your course in where it suits you.
4. You can learn practical skills.
Online learning means you can hard and soft skills as part of your course. As well as learning skills in your area of study, interacting with an online tutor means you’ll have to learn efficient communication skills. Study will help you develop a logical argument, as well as excellent time management. 5. Get support wherever you are.
5. Online learning used to be isolated, but that’s no longer the case.
As well as interacting with tutors, many courses now offer students the option to network with each other, giving you more professional contacts and a support network. Most courses also offer twenty-four hour access to online materials like learning resources and test papers, meaning you can work on improving your work at any time of day. Online tutors may be more responsive than an in-person tutor with office hours, as they’re used to dealing with students over email.
6. Online courses can be a great option for those without traditional qualifications.
If you don’t have formal qualifications, there are often more options for study with online qualifications. Look around for a course that will accept you, and you may be pleasantly surprised by how many quality courses you’re eligible for, as long as you’re self-motivated, passionate and committed.
If you’re looking to return to education away from a traditional college setting, online learning is often accessible, affordable and very rewarding. Fit your studies around your work, family and social commitments, and improve your employability and qualifications.
Rachel is an Austin blogger, educator, mom, wife, young breast cancer survivor writing about health, saving money, and living a happy life in Austin, Texas.
Rachel has written for HuffPost and Hometalk and has been featured on KXAN, Studio 512, Fox 7 Austin, and CBS Austin.