Military veterans going back to college is a great way to further your career possibilities. When you decide you want to attend college online, you want to make sure you achieve the success you’re seeking. There are some very common mistakes students make when pursuing a degree online. Here are some of the top mistakes veterans want to avoid when attending college online.
Choosing the Wrong Program
When you discover an online degree program is available for you, in your field, it doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for you. There are several choices in most fields and you don’t want to choose the wrong degree program. Instead, you want to choose the right program for your specific needs.
Make sure you take the time to look into the different programs offered. Choosing the right path will make a huge difference as you pursue a degree from an online college.
Choosing the Wrong School
Checking the accreditation should be the first thing you do with any school you’re planning to attend. Many online degree programs targeting military veterans with GI Bill benefits don’t offer what you really need. Make sure they are accredited and their accreditation is up-to-date. An unaccredited school could make it very hard for you to find a job when you graduate.
Not Planning for Enough Study Time
When you sign up for an online course, it can be easy to think you’ll have plenty of time. You get to take the course and do the work on your time and on your schedule, which is very appealing. However, you need to budget enough time for your classes. Some classes won’t require as much time as other, but many will require 8 to 10 hours of studying every week.
Of course, it does depend on the type of program. If it’s only a six-week course, you may need more time as it will move fast. However, if you only go to class once a week, you may not need as much time as the pace will be slower.
Forgetting How Technology Will Factor In
Many students don’t take the time to make sure the computer they have will work well with the technology of the school. If you don’t have a stable or fast internet connection, you may be limited when you start taking classes. You will also need to make sure the format used for assignments can be matched by the programs you have installed on your computer. Most schools require Microsoft Word and Excel.
Overloading Yourself with Classes
If you’ve never taken an online class, it’s a bad idea to take a full load right from the beginning. Learning at your own pace and on your time isn’t the same as going to class every week. You need to make sure you ease into online courses before you take a full load.
Plagiarism
A very serious mistake made by some students is plagiarism. Just because you’re taking an online course doesn’t mean you can copy and paste from other online sites. This is often looked at as academic dishonesty and can get you kicked out of school.
There are several mistakes many online students make before they attend class and during class. Make sure you avoid these common mistakes when attending college online.