Online Education at Home, Work, Library, or Starbucks?
With online education, you can work and study from pretty much anywhere.  As long as you have a connection, you have access (although broadband is preferable to dial-up).  But is it better to study at home, work, or somewhere else?  Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of each environment:
(more…)

What to Expect on Your First Day of Online Classes
You’ve researched, enrolled, and been accepted in the online program of your choice.  You’re ready to jump back into education and can’t wait to learn.  But as the first day of school approaches, you begin having those same apprehensions that many students have before the first day.  Can you handle the stress?  Will you make friends?  Will you understand the professor?  These are all legitimate concerns, whether you’re studying at a campus or online.  But with the latter, your unfamiliarity with the technology and format might make you even more jittery.  What do you do?
(more…)

Are There Any Subjects That Are Not Well Suited for Online Education?
It’s not surprising that some subjects (computer science, Web design, and legal studies) thrive in online education.  You spend the bulk of your time in front of a computer whether you’re learning or working.  But what about subject areas that require a fair amount of field work?  Are these well-suited for online education?  Can one earn a forestry degree or oceanography diploma from the comfort of home?
(more…)

Budgeting Your Time for an Online Degree
One of the most touted benefits of online education is the flexibility that it offers.  You can work at your own pace as long as you have a stable Internet connection.  But realistically, you can’t work at “any” pace.  There are grading cycles, lesson cycles, and other types of deadlines and rules.  It would be very difficult to take one class over the course of 10 years, for example.  So how much time should you budget for your online degree?
(more…)

Higher Education & Salary Potential
The relationship between higher education and salary is well documented.  The more formal training you have, the higher your earning potential.  But have you ever wondered what that potential actually is?  How does a bachelor’s degree in computer programming compare to an associate’s degree in massage therapy?  And how much does an extra year of training affect either of these two fields?  How much more can you make with one degree over another?

(more…)

Self-Learning Is Great.  Formal Education Is Better.
I’m a big fan of experience, trial & error, and self-learning.  When you work your way through problems and challenges, you master a much broader range of skills than if you have someone sit down and show you all the shortcuts.  In many ways, those who pursue personal, informal education often learn more than those who receive formal instruction.  However, degree holders rule the world. Politicians, lawyers, engineers, programmers, teachers, doctors, and entrepreneurs rarely get to the top on “can-do” dedication and sacrifice alone.
(more…)

You Don’t Have to Embrace Microsoft to Learn
I’m a big fan of open-source technologies because they’re free, customizable, and well…open.  But its not uncommon to run into problems at some universities if you’re a Mac or Linux user.  Microsoft is still the dominant platform at many schools around the country, and you sometimes have to make certain adjustments.  Below are some useful work-arounds for those who simply don’t care to shell out big bucks to use MS-based programs.
(more…)

Non-Working Spouses Who Live abroad Can Still Learn
If you’re a spouse who lives abroad but can’t legally work, you might have difficulty finding ways to fill your days.  After awhile, novelty of living abroad begins wearing off, and you won’t always have a network of friends with whom to visit museums and have “power lunches.”  If this sounds familiar, consider what an online degree can do for you, both professionally and socially.
(more…)

There’s Nothing Worse Than Being in a Bad Group
In higher education, group-driven projects often comprise a substantial portion of your grade.  This is especially true in MBA programs where professors want to assess not only your understanding of the subject matter, but also how well you work with others.  Thus, it pays to build a strong team where each individual contributes and carries his or her own weight.  This is difficult to do in campus situations, but it becomes even more challenging when you never meet your classmates face to face.  Online education offers convenience, but you sometimes sacrifice on the interpersonal contact.  Below are 3 useful tips to help you pick successful work-study groups.
(more…)

Is It Better to Have Two Associate Degrees or One Bachelors?
Moving incrementally up the ladder, is it better to have two associate’s degrees or one bachelor’s?  Two bachelor’s or one master’s?  Two master’s or one doctorate?  If you’re looking for a one-size-fits all response, you might be disappointed.  As with most things in life, the answer is never simple.  The number and type of degrees that you pursue ultimately depends on what you want to do with them.
(more…)