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

---

College Is Way More Than Higher Education

The first day of college begins with hopes and dreams... Read More

What is the Cost of College Tuition?

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

Study More Effectively

If you are studying for an exam or if you... Read More

Revolt of the Scholars

Scindex's Instant Publishing Service is about empowerment. The price of... Read More

What Are Online Masters Degrees?

Online masters degrees are higher education college degrees that are... Read More

Accredited Online Universities ? Getting Good Grades

Taking distance education courses requires more motivation and self discipline... Read More

Need Help Paying Back Student Loans?

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

Why Do You Want a Degree?

There are many reasons people seek degrees in today's day... Read More

Education - Let The Learning Begin!

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

Distance Learning and Distance Learning Online

Distance learning has become extremely appealing and widely attended because... Read More

How to Find Money for College Education

Many current and future college students need help to pay... Read More

CRI Releases Its 2003-2004 College Graduate Survey

Upper Saddle River, N.J. - May 2004 - Compensation Resources,... Read More

Commercialisation of Higher Education in South Africa

Introduction and Literature ReviewSouth African education policies place priority on... Read More

College Tuition Costs are Spiralling

So, our children want to fly away from the nest... Read More

Why Pursue Your Degree Online?

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

Hidden College Costs: Roommate Conflict

Parents, if you're already reeling from the costs of today's... Read More

Consolidate Student Loans and Shop Online

If you run a home business, you know that budgets... Read More

Too Much to Read and Too Little Time

I spent the better part of 17 years in and... Read More

Five Questions To Ask A Computer Training School Before Signing Up

As with any field, there are good technical training schools,... Read More

What to Look For When Choosing an Online University

A college degree gives a person a guarantee of higher... Read More

College Low Expectations Game Cost Students, Parents, & Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars

During a recent conversation with a client, he shared with... Read More

Balancing College Life and Academics

1. Control Your Schedule; Don't Let Your Schedule Control YouOrganization... Read More

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

There are over 50 Acupuncture Schools in the United States.... Read More

The Challenges College Students Face on Secular Campuses

What is happening on the campuses of secular universities across... Read More

Higher Education as Service Trade Exporter In South Africa

IntroductionWhilst it is recognized that South Africa is still in... Read More

Who Can Apply For Online Nursing Degrees?

Online nursing degrees are college degrees in the field of... Read More

I Hate My Roommate!

So its the beginning of the school year, your first... Read More

The Distance Learning Explosion!

A generation ago few would have given much thought to... Read More

Chiropractic Colleges

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

College Without A High School Diploma - Possible?

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

Writing Effective (and Requisite) Essay Openers

When we write for college courses, we write for an... Read More

Business and Academia!

The driving factor of any university is to make the... Read More