Archive for the ‘online school’ Category
Overcoming First Day Online Jitters
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Doing new things can be unnerving at times. Even if you are enrolled in online education at the comfort of your own home and time, you can be easily agitated by the thought of it. The first day of online class is not as stressful as it seems. In reality, you should be confident because it actually is easy as long as you are prepared. Here are some advice that could help you overcome your first day online jitters.
Post your introduction and find a friend. Most online courses start by having the students write a short self introduction and posting it on the discussion or bulletin board. It takes time to get acquainted, so take advantage of it. Find someone in the class who you find interesting and send them a private e-mail using their school e-mail address. Let them know you like their posting and why. Keep it short and simple. (Hint: having a friend in an online class is important — you can compare notes, share thoughts and understandings of assignments, and be a little less alone in class.)
Take a deep breath! The first online learning experience can be a little intimidating for anyone, but once you get the hang of it, you will do fine. Colleges and universities spend lots of time and money developing online courses and the Web site — much more than they do for classroom-based courses —just so online students will have a great experience. Remember to ask questions, enjoy the experience and most of all, remember to relax and breathe! (Hint: deep breathing is a way to relax your body.)
Posted in College Tips, distance learning, online courses, online degree, online programs, online school | No Comments »
Getting Good Recommendation for Online College
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
Online colleges rely heavily on the recommendation letters that they get from the applicants. This is due to the fact that if not most, all of online schools do not entail having to do face-to-face interviews. That is why it is very important that an applicant passes top-notch recommendation letters. If you come and think about it, the recommendations can either make or break your application. To ensure that you get good recommendations, follow these tips.
Draw a list of possible recommendation writers. You should sit down and think about who could be good sources of fine recommendations. You might want to consider the following people:
· former teachers
· current teachers
· counselors
· employers
Make the best choice. Make sure that the person/persons you will choose will write positive things about you. It is also important that the recommender is reliable with deadlines and a capable writer. Avoid people you have a more casual relationship with, as well as those who only know you on a superficial level. Remember: the most obvious choice isn’t always the best.
Observe measures established by the admission office. Before talking to your chosen recommender, find out what your school requires. If your school has strict procedures, make sure to communicate those with the recommender and make is as easy as possible to follow. For example, if the recommender must mail the letter, you will want to provide an addressed, stamped envelope.
Talk to the recommender directly. Don’t tell the writer your deadline for turning in the college recommendation letter. Instead, say: “I need the letter (or the letter must be mailed) by this date.” Set your must-have date at least three weeks before the school’s application deadline.
Give background information to the recommender. Include the following documents in the information: your college application essay, your personal statement, your resume, and a list of ways you are connected to the recommender (i.e. you were in the top 10% of his Calculus course). Highlight any information that is particularly important.
Send your thanks. Let him know how much you appreciate the time and effort that was spent on your behalf.
Posted in College Tips, Online College and University, online degree, online education, online school | No Comments »
Online Degree as the Cheaper Alternative
Monday, December 8th, 2008
With the current financial turmoil going on all over the world, everybody is seeking for the more economical alternatives for our basic needs such as choosing the cheaper brand of soap or toothpaste. For some, this extends to looking for a cheaper alternative from the traditional form of education – and one way is through getting an online degree. These are some reasons that show how online degrees as the cheaper alternative.
Learn Now, Pay Later. Many online colleges help enrollees take out federal student loans. You may be able to earn an entire online degree without paying a dime until you graduate.
Take Advantage of Employer Tuition Reimbursement. If you’re working for a company offering a tuition reimbursement program, now is a perfect time to take advantage. Improve your resume by earning an online degree on your employer’s dime. Double check to see if you qualify – even Starbucks offers tuition reimbursement payments to hourly workers.
Defer Your Current Student Loans. If you’re making monthly payments on a federal student loan now, you may be able to defer the loan by enrolling in an online college. This could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year. Further your education now and resume payments when the economy recovers.
Save on Gas. Enrolling in an online college will help you save at the pump. Forget commuting to a brick-and-mortar school; earn a degree without fretting about rising gas prices.
Study in Your Spare Time. In a troubled economy, few professionals are able to forgo employment to return to school. With online learning, you don’t have to. Many students are even able to balance a full-time job while taking a full load of online classes.
Posted in Online College and University, online degree, online education, online school | No Comments »
Online Degree in a Troubled Economy
Monday, December 8th, 2008
When the economy is in trouble, many professionals look for other ways to get additional education they need and turn to online learning. Here are some reasons why earning an online degree is a smart way to deal with a recession.
Invest in Yourself. When stocks are down and savings accounts aren’t offering much, it’s a good time to invest in yourself. Putting money towards an online degree now may yield rewards for years to come.
Protect Your Job. Improving your skills and broadening your experience will help make you invaluable to your company. Online colleges offer many courses that prepare employees to succeed in the workplace. In just a few weeks, you may be able to improve your management style, learn basic web design, or become certified in a software program.
Prepare for the Worst. Unfortunately, some people do lose their jobs through layoffs and downsizing during a recession period. If this happens to you, your online studies will make you more attractive in a competitive job market.
Increase Your Earning Potential. Once you earn an online degree, you may become eligible for promotions and salary increases. When the economy rebounds, you may find that your earning potential follows suit.
Prepare for a Profession Change. Some jobs are more “recession proof” than others. If you’re suffering from unemployment and few job prospects in your field, now may be a good time to reconsider your options. An online degree in a field such as education, nursing, or law enforcement may help you land a more secure position.
Posted in Online College and University, online degree, online education, online school | No Comments »
A Happier College Degree Online
Sunday, December 7th, 2008
Being particular with the right kind of on-line school that fits your preferences and lifestyle is one of the surefire ways in which you’ll gain happiness and contentment from the time you will be spending studying.
Be sure you understand whether a certificate or degree can be completed entirely online or whether on site projects, class meetings, or residency periods will be required. If you are having monetary problems and worried that you might not be able to afford such education, investigate your financial aid options. You may be pleasantly surprised by the financial aid, the loans, and the scholarships available to you. In addition, many colleges and universities offer tuition installment plans which help make college more affordable. Ask about such programs. You’ll never know how much assistance these programs can reach out to you.
Don’t settle for less than you want. Perhaps this is the most important point to consider for selecting an online college degree program. Unlike ten years ago, when online degree options were severely limited, it is now possible for most people willing to invest a little time gathering information to find almost exactly the degree program that meets their needs. Do your homework, make a lot of research, ask other people you know who may have experiences with online education. You can start your search on http://collegematchingservice.com/find_a_college or http://collegematchingservice.com/education/c/online-education/online-degrees where you can quickly and easily request information from nearly 100 online colleges and universities. Don’t be lazy. Request information from at least 5 or 6 colleges or universities which appear to meet your requirements. Ultimately, all your inquiries will help you gain a better understanding and a bigger picture of what you want and will eventually lead you at an advantage in your on-line studying experience.
Posted in College Tips, Online College and University, online degree, online education, online school | No Comments »