Online education is growing in popularity every year, and this trend isn’t going to stop anytime soon. In fact, the latest statistics show that more than half of all higher education students are enrolled in at least one class that involves an online component, whether it’s their only class or simply one they need to complete their degree requirements. If you’re considering taking advantage of these benefits yourself, here are four advantages of online learning and why you might decide it’s perfect for you.
1. You can wear what you want.
There’s no need to get up at the crack of dawn to fix your hair and put on your makeup. If you’re attending school at home, you can literally wear anything (provided you’re not attending a video lecture). Just put on your most comfortable jeggings, sit down, and start taking notes. If you get cold, throw on your fluffy red cardigan and keep learning. Online learning is convenient and allows students to focus on their own needs without having to worry about scheduling conflicts. Who needs a campus or commuting when all of that can be done from your living room?
2. You’ll earn more at your current job.
Depending on the job you currently have, your employer will probably be willing to increase your salary or promote you sooner while you’re learning online. And if this is the career field you wish to stay in, it’s important to work toward a degree that is in line with the duties you’ll be performing. For example, an organizational leadership bachelor’s degree can be used in almost any industry. You’ll find people in fields like finance, insurance, human resources, health care, technology, sales, and many more using the skills you can learn with this degree. That’s because it teaches you the people and organizational tactics that help you become a successful leader.
3. It fits into almost any schedule.
A lot of people are concerned about what happens if they don’t have time to complete a full course load, but with many virtual universities offering multiple programs and minors, students can work around their other obligations. By taking just a few courses at a time, students can keep busy while still earning credit toward their degree. Taking classes online also gives people more free time. Instead of spending two to three hours on homework after school each day, they can use that time to focus on studying or catching up on other activities. They may even be able to pass their classes in less time because they’re able to focus fully during class and won’t need as much outside help from parents or teachers.
4. You’ll save time and money.
With no time lost to commuting and lessons that fit your schedule, online learning can help you get more done in less time. Not only will it save you from wasting precious hours sitting in traffic or on public transportation, but it can also help free up cash that would otherwise be spent on expensive books and supplies. Obviously, commuting costs will vary, depending on the area in which you live. But statistics show that the average adult in the U.S. spends between $2,000 and $5,000 each year on commuting costs alone. That’s a lot of cash to free up!
Also, with many programs boasting flexible tuition rates, students are likely to save even more money by taking a few classes at a time or graduating early. Furthermore, if your employer offers tuition reimbursement as a benefit (which many do) that’s another way to cover costs. Online education frees up your finances and keeps expenses low so you can focus on what matters most: earning your degree.
