Studying for an online course can seem daunting. Prospective students often wonder if the experience will be the same as being on campus or worry about the fact that online learning may not fit in with their lifestyle; however, today’s workforce is moving online. With the number of professionals now working from home, online learning helps prepare for this shift toward a home-based work environment.
Bring IT On looks at the 7 biggest advantages of how online, career-focused education can suit your lifestyle.
1. Scheduling Flexibility
An online course requires just as much work and time dedication as an on-ground format. However, the online version affords you more flexibility. As long as you meet your deadlines and communicate with your instructor and peers, in many cases, it doesn’t matter where or when you fulfil the requirements.
Not many people can take time off from work to commit to a full-time program. For those who still need to juggle work, the flexibility of an online course provides individuals with the opportunity to learn while growing professionally at the same time.
By completing a course online, you schedule your learning. Rather than leave the office early or skip family dinner to commute to campus, you’re logging on when it’s convenient for you—at a time that doesn’t interfere with other commitments making it much easier to manage a work-life balance.
2. Lower Total Costs
With the cost of living on the rise, you don’t need the added stress of additional costs of living on campus at university or college. Tuition costs are much lower and in some instances, online courses are offered for free.
Textbooks are another expensive reality of traditional education that studying online alleviates. Bring IT On understands that thanks to the digital nature of eLearning, many of the course materials that are included in the curriculum, like electronic textbooks, are becoming more accessible.
Your transport costs? Gone. No need for extra fuel for the car, catching the bus in the rain or standing on the train for 45 minutes. As well as saving on travel costs, virtual online learning will also reduce your carbon footprint related to gas and fuel.
3. More Comfortable Learning Environment
Studying for an online course means the course is customisable. With online learning and online tutoring, students don’t have to move to a different classroom because a new module or area of the course is being covered. There is also less pressure to keep up with other students because you are focused on your learning capabilities.
You can easily set up a dedicated study space at home that will make online learning much more comfortable. Make sure the office space has good lighting and find a chair with good back support in case you are sitting for long periods at a time.
4. Pacing Options
An online course offers the flexibility to work at your own pace with pre-recorded virtual classes, dipping in and out when it’s the best time for you, for example, pausing the online course content to make notes or search the internet if examples are required.
Self-paced learning allows you to access course materials at your speed, meaning that you can focus on things that are challenging and breeze past things that you already know. This minimises wasted time and promotes greater efficiency.
5. Self Motivation Skills
By successfully studying for your course online, you are demonstrating that you can practice time management and are self-motivated, which are highly sought after employability skills from employers when interviewing. By succeeding in your online course, you prove that you can tackle multiple tasks, set priorities, and adapt to changing work conditions.
Bring IT On knows that instructors expect students to be independent, to learn on their own, and engage with the material that they are teaching. It’s the same thing in the workforce; employers want you to be self-motivated, go after things that interest you, and seek new opportunities and ways of doing things.
6. Improve Your Technical Skills
Studying online also equates to strong technical skills, a definite plus for any job seeker. As part of your online learning, you will likely need to utilise digital learning materials, get familiar with new tools and software, and troubleshoot common issues. With more businesses using virtual teams, this is an important skill to learn how to collaborate remotely.
By showing your experience of online learning, your future employer will know that you are comfortable learning new technologies, building a rapport virtually, tackling tasks proactively and independently, and knowing your way around a computer and virtual workspace.
7. Access From Any Location
By studying an online course, you bring the entire classroom with you wherever you go. As long as there is internet access you can get to work on the morning commute, at home, on holidays or from any access point anywhere in the world. Even on days that you may be feeling ill, it means you don’t miss out.
We live in an ever-changing world that is ripe with new possibilities. The ability to learn new information or a new skill whenever and wherever you want offers far greater opportunities for education than ever before.
Want to find out more about studying for an online course in Northern Ireland? Check out some of our useful resources:
