In the past, the only way people could learn was through attending classes in person with uncomfortable desks, blackboards and too many students for the teacher or lecturer to give their full attention to. In the present day (and thanks to technology) there are all sorts of routes that students can go down for their education.
Many students who want to progress in their careers are opting to study online or use a distance learning provider in UK, rather than enrolling at a brick and mortar establishment. Not only can online studying provide flexibility, but the overall cost is significantly cheaper. With a wide variety of online courses to pick from, here are the top 13 advantages of online learning.
Gives You Freedom
One of the main benefits of online learning is that it can provide you with the freedom you need to study at your own pace. There are various limitations that physical classrooms have, such as time constraints, meaning that if you don’t attend a particular lecture, you may miss important information that’s needed for your course. With an online course, you can access all your resources 24/7. What’s more, many colleges and universities must adhere to a specific syllabus which may mean important or equally interesting information is missed.
Learning from Your Own Home
For those who don’t feel comfortable learning around others, an online course enables you to study from the comfort of your own home. Instead of having to set foot out the door, you can access all your coursework and resources without even needing to get dressed. There are also plenty of places that you can use to fit studying around your schedule, such as in a coffee shop. All you need to do is grab your laptop, find a space with an internet connection and you can get stuck in with your studies. We all have days where we don’t want to go outside the house, so being able to catch up with your coursework without the worry of missing a lecture makes online learning hugely beneficial for students.
Bonus Points for Your Resume
We all know how competitive the job market can be. No matter the sort of field you want to go down, you can be certain there are dozens of other candidates fighting for the same role as you. If your resume is looking a little bare, studying an online course can give it the boost it needs which can impress employers. Searching for your dream job will take time and effort, meaning you may not have the time to enroll at a brick and mortar establishment. Many online courses can be completed much quicker too, meaning you can add them to your resume straight away. If you’re looking to improve your resume, make sure that you focus on courses that are relevant to the field you’re hoping to go into. The more experience and qualifications you can add, the better!
Reduced Pressure
Studying in a classroom can bring all sorts of stress and pressure. If you find it difficult to concentrate with other students around you, learning in an atmosphere that you feel comfortable in can take the weight off your shoulders, allowing you to relax and study at your own pace. It’s only natural that we compare ourselves to others, so to take the pressure off, you can focus on your own learning, making online studying that much more enticing.
Reduced Education Costs
With tuition fees continually rising, many students simply can’t afford to pursue further education. When you factor in transportation, accommodation, and course costs, the total price can be huge, however, with online courses, they come at a much lower rate for all sorts of reasons. For example, online courses don’t need to cover the costs of hand outs, desks, writing utensils and other overheads. Also, you can pick an online course that fits in well with your budget. When you are stuck with one institution, you can only pick from their course catalog. The more money you save on your education, the better, especially if you’re planning to save for a vacation or are purchasing a property.
More Opportunities to Interact
While colleges may seem like great places to socialize with likeminded individuals, they actually tend to create insular environments. As you are exposed to the same people each day on campus, you don’t have as many opportunities to engage with new people. If you decide to pick an online course, there are all sorts of people you can meet from all walks of life in the forums, chat groups and sometimes face to face tutorials. Each interaction you make can provide you with tons of opportunities for growth and depth, enabling you to socialize with students from across the globe.
Greater Ability to Concentrate
As already mentioned, you’re able to study for an online course in any environment you wish. Additionally, you’re able to review your course material whenever you like, so if you are going through a rough patch, or are frustrated by a problem at work, you will find the benefits in learning from an online course. Getting yourself in a better head space will enable you to concentrate easier, helping you to flourish in your studies.
Avoid Commuting
If you’re in full time employment, you’ll know how stressful the daily commute can be. There’s nothing worse than having to peel yourself out of bed in the pouring rain and having to rush to your desk. Unlike a brick and mortar college where you may have to face the dreaded rush hour commute, studying online allows you to get stuck into your work without the worry of being late or missing a lecture. Even if you are only going around the block to a learning center, there’s nothing better than being able to stay somewhere you feel comfortable to do your studying. If you have work commitments, there are lots of things that you can do to cram in some studying. For example, why not listen to audio recordings of your course when you’re driving, or cleaning?
Expand Your Network
No matter the sort of field you’re hoping to go into, in many instances, it’s a case of not what you know, but who you know. The more people you can engage with, the better chance you have of securing your dream role. While you will get to communicate with students from across the world, there are tons of benefits that you can take advantage of once your course has ended. You may meet your next collaborator or business partner during your online course or connect with fellow students on platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook. If you’re communicating with those in the same boat as you, you may want to consider setting up your own business with others. The possibilities are endless, especially if you have a creative mindset.
Boost Your Brain
We all know how important it is to look after our mental health. Working long hours, trying to run a busy household, as well as performing day to day tasks can take its toll physically and mentally. The more active your brain is, the more improvements you will see in your mental health. Not only will this reduce the risk of you developing dementia, but you will be able to absorb information faster, helping you to strive for perfection in your studies. Continually challenging your brain will keep it healthy and active, not to mention long-term health and wellness advantages. There are lots of activities that you can partake in alongside your online course, such as taking a quiz, or reading a book. The more you stimulate your brain, the more health benefits you will receive.
Build Discipline
Another advantage of studying an online course is that it can help with your personal development. It can be all too easy to lose motivation to do your work, especially if you’re distracted in the classroom. When working on your own accord, there are no lecturers behind you pointing you in the right direction. Instead, it’s completely up to you how much you get out of your course. Building discipline will not only benefit you in your education, but in the working world too. There are various deadlines that you must adhere too, so understanding time management and learning how to work within time constraints can only benefit you in the long run. If you’re hoping to go into the business world, there are lots of projects and tasks set by clients with strict deadlines, so starting early and being accountable for your actions is important.
Work While You Study
Understandably, many people can’t afford to miss six months off work to go into education and learn new skills. With recent research indicating that close to 50% of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck, the idea of going into further education may seem like a pipe dream. Thankfully, opting for online classes means that you’re able to study while you are working. Once you’ve got home from the office, spending a couple of hours studying and repeating the process each day can give you the time you need to concentrate and flourish in your work. If you have children and feel there’s not enough time in the day to cram in learning, why not create a schedule? Getting organized and blocking off time to study can be a huge help. Whether it’s on your lunch break, at the weekend, or while the little ones are asleep, there are plenty of windows of opportunity to take advantage of.
Pursue an Interest or Hobby
If you believe that online courses are all about high-level academia, think again. Many of them revolve around an individual’s interests, such as learning a new language, or learning how to play the guitar. You may discover your creative side during an arts and crafts e-course or discover your love for taking the perfect snap with a photography course. As online courses are much cheaper than their physical counterparts, you don’t have to worry about shelling out too much money. No matter what sort of course you plan to partake in, you can still reap plenty of rewards from learning something new, regardless of whether it’s relevant for your future career aspirations.
Finding a Course
Now that you have an idea of all the benefits that an online course can bring, your last port of call will be to find a course that’s right for you. With new courses being created each year, it can be hard to know where to start. To make the process easier, you will need to have a think about what your future endeavors are. For example, if you’re hoping to go into social work, you may be interested in completing a bachelor degree in social work online. It’s important that you pick a course that’s relevant and right for you, as the last thing you want is to spend money on something that’s not going to get you anywhere. It always pays to do your research first, rather than selecting the first course you see. Remember, the choice is entirely up to you, so don’t feel pressured to do a course that you don’t feel comfortable with.
With so many benefits that are linked with online studying, it’s easy to see why so many students are steering away from enrolling at a brick and mortar college, and instead signing up to a course that provides them with the flexibility they need. We all lead busy lives, so trying to attend all lectures, catch up on coursework, not to mention holding down a full-time job at the same time can be challenging. Instead, opting for an online course can allow you to work at your own pace.
Just like with any decision you make in life, it’s best that you do your research first into a course that’s right for you. There are many key traits that students should have, especially if you want to achieve top marks. Being motivated, driven, and consistent with your work is important, so it’s crucial that you find a course that you know you can flourish in. A lot of time, money, and hard work will be required of you once you’ve signed up to a course, so you may want to check out student reviews of the course first who can provide you with a firsthand account on what the course entails.
