Earning a distance learning degree will save you time and money, but it takes commitment and determination. As a distance learning student, you work independently. There will not be professors looking over your shoulders to keep you on track. There is not an environment solely dedicated to education. In most cases, a distance learning student need to balance work, family and education.
What makes a successful distance learning student?
- Distance Learning Students are Self-Motivated
You must be highly self-motivated. Distance learning students are high-achievers and goal-setters. People who rely on external motivators — such as rewards or coaches — will find earning a distance degree extremely difficult. Often, you don’t have specific deadlines for assignments and will need the internal motivation and commitment to work hard anyway.
- Distance Learning Degree Students are High-Achievers
If you enjoy setting high standards for yourself, a distance learning degree is a viable option for you. These students enjoy pushing themselves to the limits and realizing their full potential. In fact, because distance learning allows students to learn at whatever pace they choose, many students successfully complete their degrees in two years or less.
- Students of Distance Learning Degree are Resourceful
Do you consider yourself resourceful? If you are thinking about become a distance learning student, you need to be. At a traditional brick-and-mortar college, there is direct access to tutors, librarians, professors, and fellow students. For the average distance learning degree students, however, they need to be willing to reach out and communicate with professors and classmates online.
- Distance Learning Degree Students are Organized
Many people who choose a distance learning degree also have family or a job. It is possible to earn your degree while keeping a job, but you will need to be organized to keep your life in balance. Although most colleges will provide a syllabus for each course, you can schedule the actual assignments at your own pace. You may have a mid-term test scheduled in a few months and have the lesson assignments explained for you; however, the day-to-day planning is in your hands. Find yourself a scheduler program — or simply purchase an assignment notebook.
- Successful Distance Students Have Good Reading Comprehension Skills
While most people learn by listening to lectures and taking notes, the majority of distance learners are expected to master material through reading alone. Although some distance learning courses offer video recordings and audio clips, most programs require that students understand a large amount of information that is only available through written text. These students are able to comprehend texts at the college level without the direct guidance of a teacher.
Is Earning Your Degree Online Right for You?
A distance learning degree is a fairly new alternative to traditional college. It has made higher education available to many people who otherwise couldn’t afford or manage earning a degree. If you are interested in Distance Learning, you may also be interested in finding more information on online degree programs.
