Common Mistakes Made By Students Pursuing Online Education

By Author: Elijah Edwards
Total Articles: 3
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In spite of the various benefits of pursuing an online graduate degree, it comes with its own set of challenges. For a first time online student, it may take you longer to adjust to the learning pattern, technology and online culture. Here is a list of common mistakes made by first time distance education students that you can avoid –

1. Selecting the Wrong Program – A very common mistake students tend to make is selecting the wrong course because of the lack of pre-enrollment research. For example, as an MBA graduate in Operations Management, enrolling in a project management certificate course designed for undergraduate students would be of little help to you. It is important that you spend a significant amount of time looking for a relevant courses, taking into consideration criteria such as affordability, accreditation, course structure, and program requirements.

2. Not Asking the Right Questions - After you have enrolled with an online master’s degree ...
... it is up to you to make the most of it. Considering the tools that are employed in an online course, you are expected to take more initiative to get answers to your academic questions. Most reputable distance programs offer a myriad of academic support in the form of an online library, chat, and message features which allow you to interact with your professors and peers. Optimize these tools for knowledge enhancement.

3. Not Spending Sufficient Time on the Interface – After you have enrolled with an online graduate degree, you need to be disciplined and motivated enough to take out time to visit the portal and meet the requirements of your coursework. A number of students tend to procrastinate and ignore the importance of checking in for a couple of minutes every day to participate in group discussions and stay updated on course announcements of submission deadlines.

4. Underestimating the Costs – Many higher education courses can prove to be quite expensive to complete. Over and above the tuition fees, you need to account for expenses with respect to internet access, textbooks, software and hardware. Before you enroll for any online program, make sure you have correlated your budget with the overall expense of the program.

In addition to this, to avoid lost focus or becoming unmotivated, it is important to remember that you are not alone on your journey. With modern technology there is plenty of opportunity for you to engage with your classmates, professors, and counselors. The more involved you get, the easier it will be for you to optimize the offerings of your program.