Online Education – It's the Future NOW!

A few years ago, I took a leap and returned to school. It was a leap because it required a major balancing act. I had a one-year old with a feeble immune system, an overworked husband, an underpaying job myself, and no money to fund the education I so craved.

By a stroke of luck, I stumbled upon a distance education program offered by a State University, and somehow, all the puzzle pieces fell into place. Not only did the staff help me pursue financial aid and grants and supported me every step along the way, but the faculty members of this online-only program were fabulous. The best part: although I was a returning student, many of my virtual classroom peers were my age or older, with incredible life experience under their belt. Threaded discussions with them; collaborative learning; and intense, critically constructive exchanges elevated the learning process to a level I hadn't experienced before. Learning was fun, rewarding, quite challenging, but I also found a community willing to share wisdom, hints, and a ready year (well, ready eye) - very much like fellow hubbers!

Two years later, without ever having set foot onto my university's actual campus, I graduated with my BA, exactly three weeks after my second child was born. Thanks to distance education and my beloved laptop, bed rest was not a hindrance during that time. And thanks to my involvement in student government, access to grants, a private scholarship, and an online job with that very education program, my loans were paid off within less than two years. I never once had to put my child in day care to take an exam or find time to study, and my studies did not compromise my home life; in fact, they enriched it.

If you are currently in limbo, unable to find work, craving a new challenge, or simply ready to switch gears, an online program might be the way to go. Allow me to share some of the pointers I have gathered:

Is online education for you? Most program will have an initial quiz you can take anonymously, just like this one: http://www.dce.k-state.edu/distance/evaluation.shtml Academic counselors will be able to inform you about entrance requirements, degree/certificate options, deadlines, and expected time investment. Make that call. Send that email. Obtain that information. It's generally free. Ask to be put in touch with alumni or current students. Many online programs offer experienced mentors to help you take those first baby steps into (and around) the virtual classroom.

What are the required basics? Make sure you meet the minimal technical requirements for the operating platform - this information is almost always readily available on the schools' websites. Here is an example: http://bellevuecollege.edu/distance/skills.asp

What is the best fit? Online searches are a good start, naturally. Try your local colleges/universities first. Many established, traditional campuses are beginning to switch to online courses and degrees due to an increase in demand and a desire to balance budgets. Then spread your search out to accredited State universities, private colleges. You can also try catch-all sites for overviews based on majors, cost, student evaluations, such as: http://www.distance-education.org.

Can you afford it? Distance degree programs are not cheap. Then again, neither are on-campus settings these days. Create a spreadsheet and compare expenditures for online programs versus on-campus programs. Consider tuition, student body fees, health care fees, parking fees, gas or public transport expenditures, housing, meals, etc - in my experience, distance education is a more financially sound approach.

FAFSA is the best way to start: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Make sure to check out scholarship information your school's site may offer, or pester the Financial Aid Advisor for more information. They are there to serve you, so don't hesitate to utilize their assistance. The information available online for scholarships is vast. I spent quite a bit of time applying through Fastweb: http://www.fastweb.com/ and was rewarded with a one-shot scholarship of $2,500 and some smaller ones that helped me along the way.

How about making the best of the current economic downturn? If you are struggling to get by or have a feeling that your job will soon be a thing of the past, take a look at the special educational bargains out there right now. Several states have designated funding for mothers to return to school. For the unemployed. For the underprivileged. For those pursuing a currently hot educational track, such as medical technology. You get my drift.

Can you achieve balance? The keys to success in the online learning environment are dedication to academia outside of a traditional setting, meticulous scheduling and time management, and the ability to find balance. Will you be busy? Yes. Will you feel challenged? Hopefully. Will you become frustrated? You should, if the program is decent rather than a diploma mill. Bottomline: You can attend a first-rate university program, alongside other knowledgeable virtual students, in your PJs. There's nothing like logging on at 2 am for a mind-blowing discussion, while you enjoy any outfit of your liking, a laced cup of hot chocolate, and the certainty that across the country, students in classrooms are being exposed to H1N1 and other fun viruses - and you are not!

Finally, a drop of honesty. You may not see the benefits of a higher education degree immediately, at least where your income and wallet are concerned. Don't forget your self-esteem, though: especially in times like these, there is nothing like hanging that hard-earned degree on your ego wall!