Think You Can’t Go to College? Think Again!

By: Jacqueline Bodnar

If you’ve been dreaming of getting a degree but think it’s not possible, think again. Yes, being in the military poses more challenges for those seeking to earn a degree. But with the advent of technology, it has become easier than ever before to do just that. Whether you move a state away or to the other side of the world, you can still earn a degree. All you need is perseverance, patience and Internet access. Earning a degree online has become very popular, and for good reason.

Distance Education
Technology has made getting a college education convenient for all adults. Going the traditional route of attending classes on campus can be a juggling act for someone with a family or who may not always be living in the same place. Today, there are educational opportunities that don’t require such a balancing act. Distance education is offered at most community colleges and universities. Taking classes online is quickly becoming a great avenue for people who want to earn a degree but don't have the time or ability to attend all the classes on campus.
"Many students enroll in distance-education classes because they cannot spend enough time on campus during the day to complete the courses they need," says Lorri Karafa Guegel, a distance-education academic advisor at the University of Houston. "A typical distance-education student at U.H. might work full-time and almost never come to campus."
These classes are offered in a variety of formats, including online, on television, and on videotape or DVD.

What Does it Take?
One of the things you need to do, if you are thinking about going to college, is evaluate what is involved. Take some time to focus on the following areas, to determine whether it’s a good idea for you. Here are some of the important issues to consider:

Money. Do you have the money (or can you obtain the money) to pay for the classes? If you don't have cash to pay for the classes, you will need to look into education loans or some other form of financial aid. You may want to check with your employer, to see whether they offer tuition reimbursement. Try doing a scholarship search at www.FastWeb.com, to see if there are any for which you qualify to apply.
Time Management. "Self-discipline and time management are the key to success for distance-education students," says Guegel. If you know that you lack some time management skills, your best bet would be to wait until you can take classes on campus. Online education requires you to be very proactive in keeping up with required assignments.
Obligations. Adults who want to earn a degree have other issues to which they need to give their attention. Let's face it, the spouse or kids may not be excited about your time being taken away from them while you focus on classes and studying. Have a family meeting and evaluate how others feel about it, then see how those concerns can be addressed.
Reasons. Give some serious consideration to why you want to get a degree at this time in your life, and whether it's worth the sacrifices. For some people, it can increase their yearly earnings or help them get a promotion, while for others it's more about personal achievement. There is no wrong reason for wanting to go to college. But it is important that you understand your reasons, so you know what to expect once you’re finished.

Getting Started
A good place to begin researching legitimate online-degree opportunities is Petersons.com. Start by contacting the college you would like to attend, to learn about their admission requirements. You should also speak with an academic advisor within your desired major. They will give you a good idea of the classes required for the degree you are seeking. Attending college is something that is not likely to be a cause for regret, but wanting a degree and not getting one could be. Don’t let moving around prevent you from reaching your education goals. Distance education may just be what you have been looking for.

Jacqueline Bodnar is a freelance writer that lives in Port Orange, Fla. with her husband and two children.