Letters
of Recommendation - Common Questions
Understanding
Accreditation.
A
" M U S T " to consider :School Accreditation.
Warning!
Research Before Enrolling
7
Mistakes Distance Learners Make
6
Sure Ways to Get Your Degree Faster.
How to Compare Online Colleges?
Online College Testing Requirements.
Answers to the Most Common Concerns.
Online College Residency Requirements.
How to Choose an Online Class Schedule That Fits
Your Lifestyle.
Online College Admissions: How to Be the Ideal
Applicant.
Tough Questions to Ask Before Signing Up.
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7 Mistakes Distance Learners Make
Navigating the distance learning world can be
tricky. Online students must learn to dodge the shallow promises of
disreputable schools, manage their work, and use their diplomas to
their advantage. As you continue your journey through the maze of
virtual learning, avoid these seven common mistakes of distance
learners and save yourself some hassle:
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1.
Choosing the wrong school.Selecting
the right school is the
most significant challenge distance learners face.
“Diploma mill”
schools charge unsuspecting students thousands of dollars for
worthless
degrees, whereas credentialed, trustworthy schools are able to give
their students diplomas to be proud of. Before you enroll in an online
school, make sure it has the appropriate regional accreditation and do
some research to find out what type of programs, resources and support
will be provided.
2.
Procrastinating. This
problem is magnified ten-fold when
students have the leisure of completing classes at their own pace. Many
students never finish their degree because
they lack the
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self-discipline and motivation to sitdown and
get their work done on a
daily basis. If you’re prone to putting off work, set some
definite
goals for yourself and stick to them. Many students have found it
beneficial to create a deadline for receiving their degree and set
smaller monthly, weekly, and daily goals that will allow them to reach
that deadline.
3. Failing to connect
with their peers and professors.
One of
the most rewarding experiences in education is learning through
collaboration. Forming meaningful relationships with your peers and
professors can allow you to learn more, stay motivated, and have an
outlet to express your own understanding of subject matter.
Don’t let
yourself miss out on the benefits of these relationships just because
your classrooms are online. Stay connected through message boards, chat
rooms, email, and other virtual resources.
4. Paying too much.
The sad truth is that school is pricy.
You’re probably not going to get your education for free, but
make sure
that the future rewards will outweigh the cost of the debt you
accumulate now. You don’t want to find yourself making a
$30,000
teacher’s salary while paying back a $100,000 student loan.
(unfortunately, this case is not all that uncommon). However, an MBA
from a reputable school may be worth a significant student loan in the
long run. Whatever you choose, make sure you only take loans for what
is absolutely neccissary and try to save in other ways. Books and
supplies can often be found at significantly lower prices (or even for
free) if you know where to look and most computer and software
companies offer huge discounts for currently enrolled students.
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5.
Scaring potential
employers. the
validity of online education. However, be
aware that it
is not completely accepted by all people. More and
more people are
recognizing Some potential employers may
see warning signs if you announce that you earned your degree through
the internet. A lot of people are still ignorant of the advances online
education has made in recent years and fail to recognize the difference
between legitimate degrees and “diploma mill”
certificates. Even if you
attended a reputable school, avoid calling attention to the
fact that
your studies were done online. It may not make a difference, but it may
end up saving you a lot of hassle.
6.
Not
getting credit
where credit is due. |
You
don’t have to
start from scratch when you begin learning online. If you have
credit from previous
schools,make sure to have transcripts sent to your
online university and have the counselors check for course equivalency.
Even if equivalencies are not granted automatically, you may be able to
petition to receive credit. (Just make sure you do a good job of
stating your case). A few schools will allow you to receive credit for
life experience, based on testing or portfolio reviews. Check with your
school’s counselors to see how you can get credit for what
you already
know.
7. Remaining ignorant
of online resources.
There’s a lot of
online material available to help out students; make sure you know
where you can get the help you need. Be aware of general resources such
as virtual dictionaries, research help, and online books, as well as
resources that relate to your specialized subject matter. Finding these
sites from the start will save you money on books and help you find
success in your studies.