Online Degree Tips | Making the Most of Technology

Are you thinking about finishing or pursuing an online degree in SC?

Starting or finishing your degree is a complex decision, with many factors to consider. One of the biggest struggles many adults face in returning to school is overcoming challenges in technology.

Online classes offer a wide range of benefits, but you may also encounter some unique challenges while pursuing your education online. Don’t worry – we’ve come up with a great list of technology tips to make getting your degree easier. Take advantage of the flexibility that your online classes offer, but don’t let technology get in your way! Here are our best practical tips for acing your online courses and staying on track to complete your degree.

Online Degree Technology Tips | The Search

The best way to find an online degree program that meets your needs is to make the most of technology through thorough research. Search institution sites for answers to questions like:

    Will this fit my scheduling needs right now?
    How quickly can I complete my degree?
    How will this program propel my future career?
    What do current students and alumni say about this program?
    Is the program accredited?
    What kind of financial aid and scholarships are available?

Don’t be afraid to accept the challenge of online courses. Check to see if the schools you’re interested in offer continuous enrollment or shortened terms, allowing you to start any time and complete your degree more efficiently.

Will you be transferring in any credit from other institutions? If you have college credit from accredited institutions, you may be able to get a head start on your degree.  Many institutional websites have transfer credit databases that allow you to plug in the courses you’ve already taken and see which courses may qualify for transfer credit.

Online Degree Technology Tips | The Enrollment Process

The enrollment process for an online degree can feel daunting, especially if you don’t normally depend on your computer as your lifeline for communication.  As you go through the enrollment process, look for an institution that will provide you with a personalized enrollment representative to walk you through every step of the process, and to help you along the way, here are a few more tips to keep in mind.

    Check your email often. Your student services coordinator, advisor, or professors will be emailing you essential information throughout the enrollment process. Make sure that you are up-to-date with the information they send you!
    Stay organized. Online classes offer you a lot of flexibility to complete your work and stay on top of assignments, but the best way to do that is to make sure you’re staying organized. Whether you keep a planner, create reminders, or make lists for yourself, your organization system is key to staying on track.
    Familiarize yourself with the online course platform. What does your institution use? Spend some time clicking around and getting familiar with the website you’ll be spending a lot of time on. You’ll need to know where necessary materials for your classes are located.

Online Degree Technology Tips | Continued Student Success

The more you interact on a regular basis in the digital space, the more comfortable you will become.  In fact, many students find that the tools at their disposal in an online class format add an invaluable component to the learning experience.

As you look ahead toward life as a student in an online program, make sure you remember to:

    Download documents like syllabi and schedules, and save these items on your desktop in case you need to quickly reference them at any point.
    Record your username and passwords in a safe place. Whether you write it down or save your passwords in your internet browser, make sure that you have a way to retrieve a forgotten password.
    Don’t forget your chargers. If you aren’t working from your home, make sure to bring your chargers with you. The last thing you want is to be in the zone with a dying laptop or device.
    Make sure you are working in a place with a reliable internet connection. If you are taking an online test or quiz, you do not want to risk losing connection!
    Save your work! If you are working on a discussion post, paper, or another assignment, make sure to periodically save your work so that if your computer dies, you won’t lose everything you’ve worked so hard on.
    If you’re working on a group project or collaborating with others, consider using tools like Google Docs that allow multiple users to work in real-time. Resources like this can make completing assignments with other students manageable and efficient.
    Stay focused. Set aside specific periods of time to work on assignments for your online courses, and be mindful not to browse other websites that are not academically related. Don’t let Facebook stand in the way of acing your course!

By pursuing your degree online, you’re investing in your future. At Limestone College, 58% of living alumni are Online and Evening program graduates. As you begin your online educational journey, make the most of technology - charge that computer, stay focused, and concentrate on the end goal: completing your degree on your schedule, and on your terms.  If you’re ready to talk to one of our enrollment experts about the Online and Evening program at Limestone College, get in touch today!