Success and Distance Education Program
During the past few years, the radio and Internet advertisements have been hawking the benefits of a distance
learning degree. And if you are already part of the work force and have a family, this may seem like just the thing
you need to advance your career. Or if you have just graduated from high school and are looking for options,
distance learning may seem very attractive. But there are a few things to consider to see if you are a good
candidate for this type of education.
Do You Have Self-Motivation
The attribute of self-motivation is the one thing that has most often created the biggest success stories and
the lack of it has been responsible for the biggest failures in distance learning. Consequently, when you consider
taking a distance learning course, you must look at this very closely. Like any other class, you will have to
complete assignments and take exams. But unlike conventional education, will you have someone looking over your
shoulder? No. Just like conventional class work, the majority will seem like drudgery and you will not have the
companionship of classmates to pull you along. You will have to find the motivation within yourself. Can you do
it?
Are You a Procrastinator
Procrastination is one of the major pitfalls of students pursuing their degrees or certificates online. If you
count yourself in this league, you must change your ways if you hope to succeed with distance learning. Will you
have less work to do than if you were in a classroom? Not at all. As a matter of fact, the amount of studying you
will have to do might surprise you. To be a success at the distance learning model of education, you will have to
train yourself to fit your schoolwork into your existing schedule.
What is Your Reading Comprehension Level
Unlike a traditional classroom where you are lectured by an instructor and you take notes, engage in debates and
answer questions, in a distance learning scenario you will have to adjust to different types of interactive
education such as reviewing videos. Much of your study time will be consumed by reading the supplied texts. Your
reading ability and comprehension is important in determining your success in this area.
Are You Distracted Easily
You must make sure that you have a good place to study if you fall into this category. It is imperative that you
find a place where you cannot be bothered by the Internet, phone calls, friends or anything else of a disruptive
nature. If you are a procrastinator, these things will be your downfall and you must avoid them at all costs.
Are You a Social Type
As far as college goes, social interaction and the long lasting relationships it fosters can make a huge impact
on a student’s career. These might be heated debates within the classroom, lunch at the local student union or
sorority parties. If all this is a priority to you, distance learning might not be the right choice for you to
make. If, on the other hand, you just want to get down to business, you can really accelerate your career with an
online educational boost!
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