Earning or finishing a degree online has entered the mainstream. Gone is the stigma of getting your degree on the web—even the most prestigious colleges like Harvard and Yale now offer some of their academics online. If you’re teetering on the fence of doing school online, here’s a list of benefits—some of which you’ve probably never thought of!
Affordability
Online classes can be much less expensive than on-campus. In addition to reduced tuition, virtual students save big money on transportation, parking, meals, and even clothing. You can also work full-time while taking online classes in the evening and on weekends, keeping your income.
Options
When you commit to a physical campus, you are limited only to the fields which that college offers. But if you choose to learn online, you are virtually unlimited because your college of choice can be located anywhere in the world. You can major in just about anything you want and never leave your home. You can even graduate in a healthcare profession.
Flexibility
With online learning, your time is usually only restricted to weekly deadlines so you can do your coursework any time of day or night that works for you. This is why so many full-time professionals choose to earn their degrees this way. Same for stay-at-home moms who want to earn or finish a degree without the hassle or cost of daycare.
Custom Learning Environment
With online learning, you can create any environment you want to in order to optimize your comfort and concentration. If a room full of students is distracting to you, then reading lecture notes from your living room could be the perfect fit. This is especially beneficial for those with physical disabilities and chronic illness. The freedom to create your own learning space may be the key to your success.
Expanded Networking Opportunities
Sure, you can network in a traditional classroom, but in a virtual classroom, you will be interacting with people from all over the globe. And a lot of these students are already professionals in a field you might be considering pursuing. Take advantage of this global network by reaching out and making some real connections.
Online learning is the future of education. With more and more people looking to advance their careers without leaving their career, income, or family, attending college online virtually has become the best and fastest growing option. The only thing left for you to do is to decide what you want to learn!
