Posts Tagged ‘online college’
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 »
Apprehensions of an Online Student
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
You are now admitted and enrolled in an online college, problem now is, you have some concerns and hesitations and you do not know what to do. This is common for first timers. But, don’t worry, there are solutions to your uneasiness.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. As an online student there are several ways to get the answers you are seeking. If your course offers instructor support (and I would recommend courses that do), you can always direct inquiries to your teacher. Top-notch courses tend to provide first-class support so that students never feel lost or alone during the e-learning process. However, online chat rooms, if provided, are another great resource for students seeking answers. Online chat rooms give students a forum to meet other students taking the same course and ask questions or discuss assignments. More than likely another student taking the course has had or will have the same question. If you need an immediate answer – do your best to find the answer yourself. You’ll likely satisfy other lingering questions in the process and often times the journey to the answer teaches you more than the answer itself.
Get What You Give
Remember that noncredit, continuing education and certificate courses are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional caliber positions for in-demand occupations. The more effort you put forth in these online courses to comprehend the lessons taught the more likely you are to succeed after the course is finished. Extra effort during the course will lead to an easier transition in your new positions or with your new responsibilities. E-learning has a lot to offer students who dedicate the time and focus to extracting everything the course has to offer.
Tags: College Tips, education, online collegePosted in College Tips, distance learning, online courses, online degree | No Comments »
Making a Stellar Online Essay
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
Writing an entrance essay is one of the most important things that applicants must do in order to be admitted to the online college of their choice. Writing a stellar college admissions essay takes time. By following these basic steps, you’ll be able to craft a piece to be proud of.
Emphasize your strengths. The application essay is the perfect opportunity for you to demonstrate your strengths and explain any blemishes on your record. Many colleges ask students to write a separate essay that explains what sets them apart from the crowd. If you have an assignment like that, don’t be shy. Describe your many talents in a confident, non-boastful manner. If you have blemishes on your academic record such as poor grades or an expulsion, now is the time to own up to these issues. Explain any extenuating circumstances (such as dropping out due to a family tragedy). If there is no good excuse, explain what you’ve learned from your mistakes and why you’ll never make them again. Even if you are not assigned an essay about your strengths, you can demonstrate your talents in just about any assignment. “Show” the reader what your strengths are by setting up a scene. For example: In an essay about a defining moment in your life, you may want to “show” the reader how you’ve demonstrated leadership under stress. Don’t brag about it, just set the scene.
Edit your work. Once you’ve completed the application essay, let it set for a few days. Then, go back and edit your work. Taking a break will help you look at it with fresh eyes. Ask yourself: “Is there is anything I can change to make the essay more powerful?” Be sure to run spell check and analyze every sentence for grammatical mistakes. If your online school does not prohibit second party help, ask a former teacher or essay editing service for additional assistance.
Posted in Online College and University, online courses, online degree, online education | No Comments »
Writing an Online College Essay
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
Since most online colleges do not require face-to-face interviews, the admissions essay is the primary way administrators get to know applicants. You won’t be able to charm an interviewer with your witty banter or your knowledge of school history. Instead, you’ll need to make sure your personality shines through in your writing.
Here’s how to write an online college admissions essay that “wows” your audience:
Analyze the question. Admissions officers are looking for something; you need to figure out what it is. Think of the admissions essay question as a puzzle waiting to be solved. Don’t take it for its face value – think a little deeper. A question such as “Who is your hero?” is probably a way for admissions officers to find out what the applicant values. If you say your hero is style icon Paris Hilton, you’d better be applying to a fashion school.
Follow the instructions. Once you’ve figured out what the admissions officers are looking for, it’s time to write. Follow the instructions with exacting accuracy, even if that means stifling your creativity a bit. Many schools use the admissions essay to make sure students can understand and follow basic directions. If you’re asked to keep your essay under a certain word count, do it. An unfortunate number of applicants have been shocked to learn that admissions officers received only the first 500 words of their 1000-word essays. The applicants didn’t follow the instructions, and the admissions officers didn’t get the opportunity to read their brilliant concluding paragraphs.
Let your personality shine through. One of the most common admissions office complaints is that college applications seem a little too staged. Admissions officials want to make sure that your application essay wasn’t written by your guidance counselor or a hired essay-writing service. Break away from the generic and share your lovable quirks. At the same time, remember that you don’t have to reveal everything. If a bit of your history casts you in a bad light, it’s better not to mention it.
Posted in College Preparations, College Tips, online courses, online education, online programs | 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 »