Starting a project is always easier than completing it. We’ve all been there. We start something with a beginner’s mind, and before you know it, life happens and finishing it seems impossible, especially when it means returning to it after many years. That is the story for many people who have struggled to complete their bachelor’s degree. It is always a good idea to run towards the finish line, especially when you have already poured resources, including time, into your education.
Should I Go Back to School?
While this is an incredibly personal question with answers that would be unique to each individual, I would venture to say it is a great idea to learn all of the options and most likely be a good choice for you. These days there are so many opportunities to take advantage of when it comes to degree completion programs. If you begin to take a deeper look at the options out there, you will see that many are tailored to the needs of adult professionals. If you are juggling many life obligations, including a career and family life, finding an online completion program might be the perfect fit for you. Let’s look more deeply at that option below.
Why Complete a Degree Online?
There are so many benefits associated with studying online. There is, of course, the obvious flexibility that can make the difference of whether achieving the degree is even possible or not, given the student’s life circumstances. Many online programs offer the option to study when convenient for the student and from anywhere in the world. This is called asynchronous learning, which means you can log in at any time, rather than strictly class time. If asynchronous learning is the best option for you, be sure to find a program that offers this format. Synchronous learning is a better fit for many students because you don’t have to be good at time management. With synchronous learning, students have set live class times that they must attend. Synchronous learning still allows you to forgo a commute to class while having many of the learning tools that come from being in a classroom. In many cases, this includes the option to ask questions live. As you can see here, online programs come in many shapes and sizes, so it’s important to choose one that can help you effectively complete what you started. Also, some programs offer a hybrid option. This means you can attend some classes online while others are on campus. This is a great option for those who would like some flexibility and prefer the touchstone of campus, peer learning, and in-person connection to faculty members.
Online degrees often have no requirements for stepping foot on campus, though this is not always the case. This applies, of course, to the aforementioned hybrid learning model. If you are going the route of online programming, you look into the residency requirements, if there are any. Cover all of your bases when finding your path to completing a degree online. Another important thing to consider when seeking a completion program is the number of credits they will accept from a previous academic endeavor. You want to find a program that will take the most amount of credits you have accomplished, so be sure to ask all of the questions.
How Can Going Back to School Help my Career?
Once again, this too is a personal question. However, there are many reasons why it is always a good idea to complete your degree. Your career options will always be more robust, as well as the ability to move up a ladder if you have your degree. Simply having some credits under your belt will not do much for you when it comes to looking good on paper or impressing an employer. Many online degree completion programs will say nothing about the format for which your degree was completed. This means that regardless of whether you are sitting in a classroom at 3 PM or working at your convenience from the comfort of your home in pajamas, the degree will look the same. So back to the question: should you go back to school? Signs point to yes. Why you should go back to school is a comprehensive answer that addresses how your career opportunities will increase exponentially if you leap.
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Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs