by Ysolt Usigan
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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.
© 2006 Classes USA, Inc. All rights reserved.
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