Busy executives find the path to higher education is smoother
when it comes through their computers.
If you're anything like Bryan Mosher -- married, with children,
and sometimes working 15 hours a day -- you may think finding
time for online education is virtually impossible. But as numerous
online students will attest, a simple plan for success can turn
"virtually impossible" into a virtual reality.
An operations and management manager for GE, Mosher found that
as his position became more business-oriented, his degree in
nuclear technology wasn't enough. "My bachelor's degree
was very technical," he says. "I found it hard to
understand why they were making business decisions." So
he applied to Jones International University, the first fully-accredited
online university, and within three years, earned his MBA in
project management.
Given Mosher's hectic schedule, you can imagine the road
to success wasn't easy. "I've always been a driven kind
of guy," he says, adding that the right attitude makes
all the difference in taking online classes. "Are you
disciplined? Can you set aside a dedicated amount of time?
Are you a self-starter?" he asks. "If you're not
a self-motivated person, online learning is not for you."
Learn to Juggle
One of the greatest things about online learning is the convenience
of anytime anywhere access -- because of this, Mosher was able
to accept a promotion in another state while working toward
his degree. "I took a month off to do the move, then I
went right back online," he says proudly."If I had
gone to a brick-and-mortar school, the transfer would have been
extremely difficult.
"While online learning can make life easier in some
ways, the additional time required of online coursework can
make a seemingly simple task like scheduling Fluffy's veterinary
appointment hard to do. You've heard there's no such thing
as "free" time, and that's certainly true for online
learners. Time management is key. Make an honest assessment
of the time you can commit to your coursework, and accept
that some aspects of your life are going to take a back seat
to the pursuit of your degree. But don't think of learning
online as lockdown sentence for the next few years. See the
list at right for some tips to maximize your "free"
time, so you won't be known around the house as "the
stranger who shows up to dinner occasionally."
How can you be sure you'll stick with it?
You'll need more then effective time management to keep up with
work, family and classes. Things like supportive family and
friends, a dedicated attitude and a few good Internet resources
can help you stay focused. A fast Internet connection also helps.
If time is of the essence, the last thing you want is to wait
10 minutes for one page to load! Need more advice? Check out
the list of things to help you stay online and on track!
WAYS TO WORK IN ONLINE STUDY
- Use nights and weekends wisely (you watch too much TV
anyway).
- Check message boards during your lunch hour.
- Take class with you by checking your e-mail via cell phone
or PDA.
- Print out your required reading for your long commutes.
- Slow workday? Get permission to catch up on class.
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