Is Online College Now the Right Option?

Choosing a college isn't easy, especially if you don't want your college experience to lock you into one place. And, now we have the Coronavirus to consider. If you are already in a traditional on campus college, but aren't necessarily loving the experience, it could be the right time to consider studying online. If you are thinking about returning to school and were already pondering an online university as an option, the pandemic makes online college an even more appropriate choice. 

The good news is, you have a lot of options when it comes to online colleges. If you're considering an online college but aren't sure if it's right for you, here's what you should know.

Schedule

One of the biggest benefits of choosing an online college is the fact that you have a lot more flexibility with scheduling. College can be a big commitment for a lot of people because it requires you to be there physically for hours every day. If you work a lot, have medical problems or simply don't like being on a strict schedule, online college can be a good choice.

The flip side of this is that having no schedule can be very difficult for some students. If you have trouble getting started on things by yourself or motivating yourself to study, online college may not be the best option for you. But, if you are an entrepreneur building a business or a "solo-preneur" working on several different businesses at the same time, online universities  allow you to improve enhance education on your schedule.

Variety

In terms of what sort of degrees you're able to pursue at an online college, your options are pretty much endless. Whether you want to earn a doctorate or simply get an online IT degree, there are online colleges that offer the courses you need. One thing to keep in mind is that it's very important to make sure an online college is accredited before you pay for classes. Otherwise, you could end up with an online IT degree that isn't actually worth anything in the work world.

If you want to put yourself through one of the top programs in the world for your field, you'll have a tough time finding that sort of program in an online class. Since a lot of top-flight colleges are so respected because of the staff, you don't get quite the same experience with an online college. Still, it's a very viable way to earn a degree, especially if you want to attend college while living abroad.

Cost

Another thing to consider if you're thinking about online college is the cost difference in comparison to brick-and-mortar colleges. Online colleges don't have all the same operating expenses that regular colleges have, which means they're able to offer more affordable classes. Since traveling abroad can already be expensive without considering college costs, this can be a nice way to save a little bit more for your time abroad.

Keep in mind that the lower cost of online college classes comes at the cost of less interaction in terms of learning. Some people pick up on things a lot better if they can get hands-on experience or work with a visual aid in person, and that's something you simply won't get with most online college classes.

Getting a degree takes a lot of time and money, so making things easier for yourself is always a huge plus. If you want to save money while living abroad and earning a college degree, an online college may be the solution you're looking for. It can also leave your finances in better share if you need to secure an online physics tutor to help you through a class, or if you ultimately apply to graduate school and need to consider online GRE prep.

Safety and Security

Back to the pandemic, if you are worried about the on and off again social distancing that we may need to wrestle with for the next few months, attending an online college is in a very real sense, safer. And, you can feel more secure in the process knowing that the whole experience is supposed  to be completed online. So, you won't have to worry about the disruption of stopping and starting in-person classes.

Summary

For the right type of student, online college can make a lot of sense. If you are considering a traditional, on campus college experience to an online experience, it could make sense to cast you net even wider. Perhaps a certification from a top-ranked college earned through a MOOC like Coursera can help you accomplish your goals even faster and even more affordably.