Some people prefer traditional learning settings while others prefer the convenience of taking online courses at home. Whatever your preference may be at this time, it is a good idea to understand the positives and negatives of each setting:

Positives

• Convenient
• Flexible
• Affordable
• Easily accessible
• No travel expense

Negatives

• Less interaction with educator and classmates
• Fewer networking opportunities
• Lack of reputation
• Lack of campus experience

Positives and Negatives of Campus Learning :

Positives

• Face to face learning with educators
• Group activities teach you to work with others
• Networking opportunities
• College campuses attract top professors
• Supportive environment
• Cultural diversity
• More resources available to students
• Direct assistance

Negatives

• Distracting setting
• Commuting to class
• Inconvenient schedules
• Extra costs if living on campus

College Presidents Approve :

According to a report released by the Pew Research Center, 51% of 1,055 college presidents surveyed said online courses match the value of traditional in class courses.
http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/08/28/the-digital-revolution-and-higher-education/

Now that you have done your research and spoken to advisors at each school, you are now ready to enroll in the school of your choice. Obviously, this decision may be a tough one for some people as there are plenty of options available. Remember to make this decision for yourself and don’t let someone else make the decision for you. It is important to be comfortable with your decision so that you can achieve the goals you set for yourself. Earning your degree will not be easy, but your chances of success will be greater if you take the time to choose the right school.

Online More Effective :

A study by the U.S. Department of Education showed that students learning online performed better than students learning in a traditional classroom environment.
http://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/tech/evidence-based-practices/finalreport.pdf

Once you are enrolled and classes have started, you need to focus on organizing your time properly and getting your assignments done on time. Here are some tips to help you achieve high grades in your courses.

Get A Planner :

This is probably the most useful tool you will have while you’re in college other than your computer. Having all of your assignments written down in a planner is essential. This is especially the case if you are taking a course online. In an online setting you won’t have fellow classmates there to remind you of upcoming assignments. A planner will help you organize your time well so that you have plenty of time to finish your assignments.

Start Assignments Early :

I am sure you hear this all the time but start working on your assignments early! Do not wait until the last minute to start your assignments. This tactic may have been easy to do in high school but it will be much more difficult in college. Assignments in college are much more difficult and time consuming. It is always a good idea to look at an assignment as soon as it is posted, to judge how much time it may take you to finish it. This way you can plan accordingly. Working on the assignment one day at a time is also a good idea. This way you don’t have to try and finish an assignment in one day. It will also give you time to read over your work and ask your educator or fellow classmates questions about the assignment.

Ask Questions :

Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. Your educators will always answer any questions you may have for them. They may not always be available but when they are, don’t be afraid to tell them that you’re confused with an assignment or a topic being discussed in class. Make sure to write down what time your educators will be available. This will usually be displayed on the syllabus that is distributed during the first days of the course. Educators actually want students to ask them questions so that they know their message is getting through to them. So don’t be shy.

Network, Network, and Network Some More :

Networking is an extremely valuable experience. Connections you make while in school can make a big difference in your career. These connections can help you enter careers that you never would have been considered for previously. All you have to do is interact with your fellow classmates and make some friends. Obviously, this will be more difficult to do if you’re earning your degree online but it is still possible. Just be active and talk to as many fellow classmates and educators as possible.

Another Little Tip :

Take a look at some of your dream career postings online and make a list of what skills the employers are looking for in that position. While you are taking courses to earn your degree be sure to try and develop those skills and learn more about what is needed in order to land your dream career

Caution :

Below is a list of things you need to look out for when you are researching schools.

• A school does not provide enough information
• An online class that may require in person training
• Embellished/False financial aid information
• No request for high school, college or other types of academic records
• Guaranteed timeframes of degree completion
• Lack of information on professors/educators
• Poor online reviews from former students

After you have finished your research and examined all of your possible options, it is time to speak with a school representative or advisor. This is the time to ask in-depth questions about academic programs, graduation rates, and the enrollment process. Below are some important questions you should have answered:

Why should I enroll in your school?

This is a very straightforward question to ask an advisor, but remember that you are the one who will be sacrificing your time and money and you need to be able to trust the school. Here are some good answers that you should be looking for from the advisor:

• Strong academic reputation
• Broad alumni base
• High graduation rates
• High career placement
• Plenty of financial aid opportunities
• Low cost of attendance
• Faculty committed to your success

What programs do you offer in my area of study?

If you are looking to start a career in a specific field, it is a good idea to understand what specific programs are offered by the school. This will help you figure out whether there are more specific programs tailored to what you want to do after graduation.

How long are the courses? When do they start?

This is another important aspect of deciding on which school to enroll in. Some schools may only offer courses for your major at specific times during the day or perhaps even at night. Scheduling could be an issue for you, especially if you are working a full time career or have other obligations. Make sure that the school offers courses for your major at times that are convenient for you. Also, check to see how long certain courses run for and when they start and end during the semester.

What financial opportunities does this school itself offer me?

This is an important question to ask, as many students who enroll in college are unaware of the scholarships and other types of financial assistance that are available to them. You are not guaranteed a scholarship, but it is never a bad idea to apply for them. Some may require you to write an essay, while others will not. Just be sure to check out all the options available to you.

What Is Your Desired Major?

Education4USA offers a large variety of different degree programs. Whether you aspire to be a Nurse or Counselor, we have a program to suit your interests and goals!