Earn Online Distance Degrees. Accelerate Your Career.

If you’re an educator who is thinking about returning to college to improve your skills and expand your career possibilities, you might want to consider enrolling in an online university degree program. One of the many benefits of pursing an advanced education degree online is that you can continue working full-time while attending classes.

The Benefits of Attending a University Online Degree Program

Many of today’s master’s degree in education candidates are successfully balancing work and family obligations with school, by taking advantage of the many benefits of distance learning:

*   Access your courses and materials at your convenience, wherever you find an Internet connection. Whether you’re at home in the evening, at work during your lunch break, at a coffee shop on a Saturday morning, or in an airport on your way to a favorite vacation spot, you can attend a class, review a lecture or download an assignment.

*   Online education programs feature interactive, participatory lectures with instructors who are skilled in teaching adult learners through a virtual environment. Many distance education students report a higher level of engagement than with traditional classroom settings. And when students need extra assistance, instructors are completely accessible – usually just an email or phone call away.

*   Collaborative relationships with other students are encouraged and facilitated through the use of virtual chat rooms and message boards. So, even if you don’t meet your fellow students in person, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make connections and get to know them through the web.

*   If you are a student with physical disabilities, a virtual classroom setting may be an ideal way to advance your education – because there is no need to travel to a college campus. Students who experience challenges learning in a traditional setting may also benefit from distance college courses. Learning at your own pace, taking extra time to study or turn in assignments, and interactive testing methods may prove to be your key to college success.



Pursuing a Degree Online While Working Full-Time

It is possible to work full-time and pursue a distance learning program. Millions of graduates all over the world have done it, so why not start planning to join their ranks? Here are six strategies for successfully working full-time while attending web-based college courses.

1.    Stay organized. You’ll attend asynchronous classes whenever your schedule allows, so you’ll need to determine where each class will fit. First, create a master schedule of your fixed activities, such as working, preparing meals, caring for your family and sleeping. After the fixed activities are all accounted for, you’ll see the available times where you can log into the classroom, attend lectures and discussions, and complete assignments. Treat your class and study time as a priority. A consistent schedule can help you feel more in control.

2.    Find more time. While gearing up for your new work-school schedule, pay attention to how you currently spend your time, and find ways to free up time for schoolwork. For example, if you find yourself pursuing unproductive habits, consider eliminating these activities and replacing them with necessary tasks (laundry, preparing meals) or study time. You may find you had plenty of time to attend online classes all along!

3.    Create your ideal study environment. Everyone has a set of ideal circumstances that make learning more successful. It may be an absolutely quiet place, or an active coffee shop with plenty of background buzz. Chris might need a cool room, while Kristin prefers to be warm. Think about what makes you comfortable, relaxed and ready to learn – and then create a space for yourself that incorporates all of these factors. You’ll be working hard for your master’s degree, so you deserve a space that will enhance your experience. 

4.    Stay positive. Creating a positive environment, and keeping a positive attitude, can go a long way toward your success in an e-learning university program. The demands of work and school can make things tough at times, but with a positive outlook, you’ll not only have a better chance of managing all your responsibilities, you just might enjoy the process.

5.    Keep your stress level under control. What do you do for fun and to relieve stress? Whatever you enjoy, it’s important to keep it up, even if work and school take the majority of your time. Running, bicycling, taking your kids to the park, or meeting friends for lunch are important de-stressors that can actually help you juggle your responsibilities more successfully. Being relaxed and taking time to exercise can improve your learning power, too. Make sure to include time for fun in your master schedule.

6.    Share your good news. When you’re undertaking something as serious as an online degree program, let the important people in your life know. Otherwise, they can’t support your efforts. Tell your employer, friends and family you’re attending an accredited university program, and that you might need their help and understanding along the way.

Finding the Best Online Classroom Is Step One

There are many benefits of distance degree programs, from the flexibility of attending classes anytime and anywhere, to a more engaging level of instruction. By following these six strategies, working students can make an online university degree a reality.

Article supplied by Damon Ebanks from Dominican University’s Online Masters in Reading Program. 

Taking online classes can be the perfect solution to attending school and holding down a full-time job; it can also be the downfall of many students. By taking classes online, you remove yourself from the hustle and bustle of a traditional college campus where other students have the same goals in mind. This can put a serious dent in your motivation. However, if you can navigate this process well, your earning power can be greatly increased, and times of financial hardship can be a thing of the past. Follow these time management tips to stay focused and on track while attending college online.

1. Budget Your Time

At the beginning of the week, sit down and schedule time for class, homework and studying. Once you’ve carved out time to work on your courses, stick to it. Make sure your friends and family know that Monday from 5pm to 8pm, for instance, is class time and you can’t be interrupted.

2. Laptop or Tablet

Investing in a laptop or tablet may seem like an unnecessary expense but consider this: how much time do you sit waiting that could otherwise be spent on class work? Waiting at the doctor’s office, your commute to work and your lunch break are all perfect opportunities to pull out your laptop and get some homework done.

3. Deadlines

While you’ll get a syllabus full of assignments and due dates, be sure to set your own deadlines. Don’t ever plan on handing in assignments the day they are due or taking an exam at the last minute. Invariably, you will run into technical difficulties, a power outage or scheduled system maintenance. By planning on submitting assignments a day or two ahead of time, you will give yourself a buffer if you run into any problems.

4. Stay Off of the Net

When you’ve scheduled yourself to be ‘in’ class, stay off of the internet. It’s tempting to jump on a social networking site for ‘just a minute’ or to check your email but you’ll soon find that you’ve wasted your scheduled time catching up with friends.

5. Ask For Help

If you run into trouble, either technically or in a specific class, ask for help as soon as you need it. Don’t be embarrassed! You’re paying for your professor’s time through your college tuition so use it wisely. Waiting to ask for help will only serve to put your further behind. Many colleges have tutoring centers and most professors have office hours that you can take advantage of.

6. Set Up a Study Group

If you’re the type of person that does better with people surrounding you, make a few friends in your online class and set up a study group. Chances are there are others in your class that will welcome the opportunity but are too shy to speak up.

Taking classes online can be done and done well if you organize yourself. By dedicating time to your school work each week and sneaking in opportunities for study whenever they present themselves you’re sure to succeed. If you find that online learning isn’t for you, you can always return to campus next semester. One way or another, don't let anything get in the way of a successful financial future!

Author Samantha Hathaway is a financial consultant and suggests there are times when payday loans may come in handy when you have financial needs prior to a pay date—especially as a student!