In the past year, we’ve seen the nature of daily life change dramatically as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve been forced away from public places including our places of work and educational institutions. However, thanks to the availability of technological devices and high-speed internet, many of us have been lucky enough to have an opportunity to adapt and take our work or study practices online.
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As far as education is concerned, distance learning has been a common practice for decades. However, many people have been apprehensive about the standard of education one has access to online versus what would be available through a traditional campus-based college. While there certainly are great attributes that come with completing post-secondary education on campus, this looks to be less of a viable option in the near future. If you are still on the fence about completing your degree online, here are just a few of the reasons that may sway your decision towards the affirmative:
Flexibility
The primary benefit of studying online is the flexibility it offers. Whether you have a full-time job or kids to take care of, the fact that you can study at times that suit you rather than being restricted by a class schedule is a major bonus. You also don’t need to worry about factoring in library opening hours or the time spent commuting to campus either.
Endless Choices
When you choose to study at an institution close to your home town, you’ll likely find you are limited to choosing between a certain number of subjects. With online study, you have numerous options. From completing a short Python programming course to enrolling on an online Master of Public Health program, or gaining insight into artificial intelligence, you really will have your pick of options when you choose to study online.
Cost-Effective
Since there are fewer overhead costs for the institution itself, some savings can be passed onto the students. As a result, you’ll find that the fees associated with online degree courses are somewhat lower than what you could expect for completing the degree of campus. The fact that you can study from anywhere in the world also removes the costs associated with relocation and transportation.
Career Advancement
One of the best ways to get ahead career-wise is to start working as soon as possible and getting a little extra experience under your belt. Online degrees allow you to pursue academic pursuits while working, this gives you the edge over peers that haven’t yet managed to get that workplace experience come the end of their studies. Furthermore, this opportunity to work alongside your studies is great for networking which is invaluable in terms of career progression.
Support
Naturally, some may be concerned about lacking the support and structure that comes from studying at an institution which helps with motivation. However, pursuing a degree online does provide some scope to engage with lecturers, support staff and fellow students, so you won’t have to worry about being left to your own devices as guidance is always on hand.
Whether or not we like it, online learning is the future. While this doesn’t mean traditional campus-based degrees are a thing of the past, online degrees do offer certain benefits which make them an option worth pursuing.
