The Pros and Cons of an Online College Degree

Getting a college degree online seemingly appears to be a very convenient way to gain further education without having to inconvenience your home life. An easier way to obtain an edge in the working world is by getting that online college degree that you've always wanted, without having to leave the comfort of your own home. All of this may very well be true, but there are a few things that a person should consider before becoming financially tethered to an online college or university.

Can you make the time?
Take a moment and evaluate how much free time you really have in your personal life. After tending to your work, house chores, possibly children, and making time just to relax, how much time do you have left to study and work on assignments? This involves hours reading which can be very time consuming.

How comfortable is "the comfort of your own home"?
Do you have the peace and quiet necessary to read and study? Are the people in your house (spouse, children, friends, etc.) willing to give you the time and space you need? More times than none, this is the biggest problem. Everyone around you might not be willing to put there life on hold for your betterment. This is a hard reality, but when you are at home, people will be tempted to confront you with home issues that will interfere with your studies. If you were in a classroom setting, this would not be a problem. Unless you are one of those individuals you can't turn their cell phone off.

How credible is the online college degree you are pursuing?
There are now several online colleges to choose from, but how credible are they once earned? Will the college degree earned online hold any weight in the working world, or did I just put all this time and effort into a worthless piece of paper? You may want to research via online bulletin boards or websites. Even word of mouth to some extent. It's not my place to tell you which online college is worthy, but rather to advise you to take the time to see if the college you select will get you the job that you want.

Can I afford the loan to get my education?
Certain online universities have government loan programs set up where you don't have to pay back your loan if you complete your schooling. These sound great in theory, but what if you don't complete your schooling and have to pay it back? They are usually very expensive and here's the catch: Once you get the loan, the school gets paid in full. So they get their money no matter what, and you get stuck paying the government back the remainder of your loan for nothing in return. The online colleges are making a fortune off students under these circumstances. From information I gathered off of different online studies, the freshman dropout rate is over 25% higher for online students. The overall dropout rate is nearly equal that number.

What are the "pros" to online college degree courses?
Under most circumstances, people who say they don't have the time to attend traditional college classes do so mainly because of family issues. Children involved and no sitter available. Unfortunately like I said earlier, the children can make it difficult to concentrate at home. I am not trying to discourage any parent in getting further education, but trying to prevent them in finding themselves in a hard financial situation because they couldn't make it work for them. More than half the time, if you don't have time to go to classes, you probably won't have time to do them at home either. There have been many parents as well as other individuals who have made this work successfully though. These are just things to consider. A big convenience for most to online class is not having to partake in the social aspect of college. If you are an aging adult, sitting in class with pimple faced kids can be annoying. It can also be distracting hearing about all the parties and other gatherings that take place at school. If you have any health issues that make it difficult to leave the house, online college is a fantastic option.

I hope this knowledge has helped some of you in your decision making process. I have been fortunate enough to have an insider's look at online colleges classes and ultimately I believe any education is good education. Your knowledge is the one thing nobody can take from you, I just want you to be sure that your newly acquired knowledge can be put to good use and benefit you and your future.

Timothy D. Arnold recruits students via his online college portal http://www.choosing-your-college.com

---

Graduation Quotations - Top 35

"Life is my college. May I graduate well, and earn... Read More

How to Survive First Year Engineering

So you just got accepted in your engineering program?joy, but... Read More

College Bound: The Organized Dorm

I can still remember my shopping list for my first... Read More

Online College Programs ? How to Apply

The first step to getting your online degree is to... Read More

Making the Most of Your Summer

At last, summer is here! After a school year full... Read More

Reducing the Administrative Burden for Further Education Colleges

The introduction of the Government's Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in... Read More

Break it up, Break it Down: Paragraphing Strategies for College Essays

Some of us fill a page with a wall of... Read More

Distance Learning Degree Program ? How to Study

The format of distance learning courses is different than what... Read More

Scholarships not Working for You Neither, Huh?

We're going to college, and we need cash. We have... Read More

Need Help Paying Back Student Loans?

Many college students and graduates are looking for a solution... Read More

The Freshman 15, or 20, or 25

Now I remember being a freshman in college, and let... Read More

Most Colleges Require Letters Of Recommendation

I cannot overemphasize the importance of developing strong relationships with... Read More

College Roommates: Threes A Crowd

It's hard enough sharing a dorm room the size of... Read More

Is Pursuing A Degree Online Really For You? Who Should And Who Should Not?

Stanford University's Online Lessons Learned Stanford University's Center for... Read More

Free Money For College

What if someone came up to you and offered you... Read More

Why Pursue Your Degree Online?

Distance education has been around longer than people may realise.... Read More

Limperts Academy of Design Opens Interior Design Education / US and Canada

You may be bursting at the seams with natural talent,... Read More

Oustanding Business Professors at WVU, Part 1

Paula Bone is a marketing professor who teaches "Consumer Behavior"... Read More

On-line Universities and Degrees ? Find the Right One for You

The first step to finding the right online university is... Read More

Academic Research on the Internet : There Is a Better Way

Students nowadays start their research projects by looking up information... Read More

Getting Into College No Longer A Numbers Game!

Sending your kids to college has never been more difficult... Read More

Online Education

I always dreamed of going to school and getting a... Read More

What is the Cost of College Tuition?

What is the average cost of college tuition? This is... Read More

Facing Your Fears as an Adult Returning to School

In case you hadn't noticed, career colleges aren't just for... Read More

Chiropractic Colleges

Before CHIROPRACTIC COLLEGES & SCHOOLS accept one into their educational... Read More

7 Tips To Avoid the College Low Expectations Game

Many public universities play the "Low Expectation Game" (see article... Read More

9 Lessons for Success in College - That Actually Make Sense

Most students know what it takes to be successful in... Read More

Looking For a Rewards Program That Offers Free Money for College Students?

With the rising cost of books, tuition and housing, it's... Read More

Who Should Earn an Online Associate Degree?

An online associate degree is a two-year general studies degree... Read More

Medical Assistant - Medical Assistant Distance Education

Considerations in Distance Education for the Medical Assistant InstructorMedical Assistant... Read More

College Without A High School Diploma - Possible?

Don't give up your dream of enrolling in an online... Read More

The Family University Network: Unplugging Institutional Higher Education

Why not build a Christian family enterprise with the energy,... Read More

Education - Let The Learning Begin!

You've probably heard it since you were little, 'get a... Read More