“You only get out of it what you put into it.” That sage advice given to me in childhood by parents who wanted me to succeed in life has been verified in experience a thousand times over. Maybe you heard it put a different way: “No pain, no gain.” It’s true in learning to play a sport or a musical instrument, in developing physical fitness habits, and even in establishing and nurturing personal relationships. But nowhere is it more applicable than in higher education. The college experience is what you make of it. If you put in the work, you’ll walk away with a quality education, regardless of what school you attend. But the converse is also true. The diploma is only worth as much as the effort you put into achieving it.
As online education continues to increase in popularity, many prospective students have the mistaken perception that “online” is equivalent to “easy.” But if you’re looking for a “no pain” alternative to traditional classroom education, you won’t find it in the eLearning experience. In fact, you most likely will find online education to be considerably harder.
1. Online education requires self-discipline. While the flexibility of online courses is appealing, it can derail your success if you lack the self-discipline to schedule your study time and to stick to it. You don’t “find time” for online studies in the course of your day; you “make” time. Commitment and tenacity are indispensable character traits for success in the online environment.
2. Online education requires self-motivation. The successful online student is one whose desire to learn outweighs distractions and discouragement. If you require constant nudging from instructors or reinforcement from fellow students to stay motivated, then online education probably isn’t for you. But if you have strong goals that compel you to keep going when the going gets tough, you’ll likely find success in online studies.
3. Online education requires self-education. No one will spoon-feed you information in the online environment; you have to feed yourself. By engaging with the text, classmates, and supplemental research, you will create a rich learning environment guided by your unique experiences and interests. But you have to take the initiative and take responsibility for your learning.
4. Online education requires self-disclosure. There’s no such thing as “hiding” in an online classroom. Discussion, interaction and collaboration with peers is a vital component of the e-learning experience. Nearly every assignment involves self-disclosure, sharing your past experiences, your insights into required readings, and your process of growth. Other students will be learning from you and you’ll be learning from them. It’s a mistake to think online courses are completed in isolation. They’re not. You join a learning community that requires personal input from each member in order to function properly.
Online education is not easy, but it is worth it. If you know what to expect before beginning an online program of study, and you’re willing to work hard, you’ll find it to be a richly rewarding venture. What you put into the experience will reap for you benefits that equal or exceed those from traditional classroom instruction.
As online education continues to increase in popularity, many prospective students have the mistaken perception that “online” is equivalent to “easy.” But if you’re looking for a “no pain” alternative to traditional classroom education, you won’t find it in the eLearning experience. In fact, you most likely will find online education to be considerably harder.
1. Online education requires self-discipline. While the flexibility of online courses is appealing, it can derail your success if you lack the self-discipline to schedule your study time and to stick to it. You don’t “find time” for online studies in the course of your day; you “make” time. Commitment and tenacity are indispensable character traits for success in the online environment.
2. Online education requires self-motivation. The successful online student is one whose desire to learn outweighs distractions and discouragement. If you require constant nudging from instructors or reinforcement from fellow students to stay motivated, then online education probably isn’t for you. But if you have strong goals that compel you to keep going when the going gets tough, you’ll likely find success in online studies.
3. Online education requires self-education. No one will spoon-feed you information in the online environment; you have to feed yourself. By engaging with the text, classmates, and supplemental research, you will create a rich learning environment guided by your unique experiences and interests. But you have to take the initiative and take responsibility for your learning.
4. Online education requires self-disclosure. There’s no such thing as “hiding” in an online classroom. Discussion, interaction and collaboration with peers is a vital component of the e-learning experience. Nearly every assignment involves self-disclosure, sharing your past experiences, your insights into required readings, and your process of growth. Other students will be learning from you and you’ll be learning from them. It’s a mistake to think online courses are completed in isolation. They’re not. You join a learning community that requires personal input from each member in order to function properly.
Online education is not easy, but it is worth it. If you know what to expect before beginning an online program of study, and you’re willing to work hard, you’ll find it to be a richly rewarding venture. What you put into the experience will reap for you benefits that equal or exceed those from traditional classroom instruction.