How Do You Choose The Best Online College For You
As you research online colleges, dont get too wrapped up in rankings or awards. You want to find not just the best online college, but the best online college for you.
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing an online college:
- Is it accredited?
- Does it offer the degree program you need to reach your career goals?
- Will you be able to easily transfer your credits or advance your degree in the future, if you choose?
- How long will the program take?
- Are the classes asynchronous or synchronous?
- Is it affordable?
- Do they offer the resources and support services I need?
Its important that the college you choose offers the support you need in order to be successful in achieving your goals.
How To Apply To An Ontario College
The first step in applying to college is to research the programs and colleges available to you. If you have not already decided what programs you are applying to, you can:
- See our College Map to find a campus near you
- Browse our Find a Program tool to see all college programs offered in Ontario
- Visit college websites for more details about their programs and admission requirements
- Attend a College Information Program event to meet college representatives in person
The next step is to create an account with ontariocolleges.ca and begin your college application.
Ready to start your application?
to your account to complete your application, make changes or confirm offers of admission.
Types Of Distance Learning
There are several forms of distance learning, and many institutions use a combination of methods to teach their students. However, there are four common distance learning techniques: open schedule, blended learning, computer-based learning, and fixed time e-learning.
- Fixed Time E-Learning: The most common form of distance learning is a program that sets a predetermined schedule that can be kept from any location. This could mean that students can work from home, school, or the office, as long as they log on to the online learning site at a designated time. These programs often include a live online forum.
- Open Schedule: An open schedule can be taken anywhere and gives students the most freedom possible. In this plan, students are given a set of deadlines that they must meet within a certain amount of time, but they can work any time and any place to meet the course requirements. This program is ideal for independent workers and people who don’t struggle with procrastination.
- Blended Learning: The second most common strategy used in distance learning is one that offers an open schedule but requires students to communicate in an established location. This could mean that students can complete assignments on their own time, but they’re required to meet in a classroom or computer chat room to touch base.
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Selecting An Online School: Things To Keep In Mind
Choosing the right online college and degree can be extremely difficult. With hundreds of institutions and programs currently operating online, it’s easy to get bogged down by the seemingly endless amount of research you must conduct to make an informed decision. This may be one of the most important decisions that you make in your lifetime, but there is information available to help guide your way.
Youll Want To Make An Effort To Make Connections
One of the benefits of going to school is the number of people it puts you in contact with. Friendships, mentorships and networking can all come from academic experiencesbut is that still the case with online classes?
Online degrees can be less personable. You can go through multiple online classes without really connecting to anyone. It’s easy to miss out on all the networking opportunities and friendships that on-campus classes can provide, says Lyn Alden of Lyn Alden Investment Strategy. I would recommend that you really make an effort to get to know some of your online classmates or your professor.
Alden says she encourages students to reach out and discuss assignmentsand even meet in person with classmates and instructors if you’re close by.
Online platforms are getting more and more advanced, and provide increasing ways to interact and network online. But you still have to be more proactive than you would in a classroom setting, and make the first move to reach out to people, Alden says.
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Set Time To Study And Work In Batches
At Regis, as at other universities, many students pursue their education alongside other responsibilities and obligations. Work, childcare, family obligations, internships and the like all compete for your time and attention, making it critical that you create a schedule that allows you to meet all of those challenges.
Chunking tasks, as I like to call it, gives students a way to feel accomplished, says Small. You feel like youre progressing. Additionally, scheduling time specifically dedicated to studying will help you build and stay on a routine.
The Advantages Of Online College
- Convenience You can attend class at home, in an airport or out-of-town, as long as you have reliable access to an Internet connection.
- Access You may live in an area where the program you need or prefer is not offered by the traditional institutions. Online access can open up a world of options.
- Flexibility Online courses offer flexibility not often found in traditional programs. Having access to course materials online, 24/7, means that you can schedule the majority of your study and course review time around your other commitments, such as work and family.
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Real Professors Teach Online Classes
So long as the school you are attending is accredited, your class will be taught by a credentialed professor. Though you may never meet them in person, the lesson plans they give you will resemble the other courses they teach. They will know as much as any other professor in their field and may even teach on-campus courses too. The only real difference is that youll be in touch with them through online discussion boards, emails, and online lecture sessions.
Dont Expect It To Be Easier
If online college was your plan for an easy way through college, you should come up with a different plan. First of all, if youre taking your online classes through a reputable and accredited college or university and we cant recommend this enough your experience should be just as rigorous and challenging as the brick-and-mortar experience. In fact, the challenges of time-management and self-motivation noted above can make online college even more difficult for many students. This is true even if the curricula are identical. That shouldnt be a problem if you consider yourself up for the challenge. On the other hand, if you thought online education would somehow be academically easier and thus a more attractive option, youre doing it for the wrong reasons. Gear up for a challenge and prepare to work hard like you would in any class.
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Is Online Learning For You
If you prefer a course load that fits in with your schedule and lets you study in the comforts of your home or office, or if you live a distance from our campuses, these courses are for you. Online Learning students should have self-discipline and excellent reading, writing, and analytic skills. In addition to the study skills necessary for post-secondary learning, you will need the following skills to be a successful online student:
- extra emphasis on goal setting
- self-discipline and time management
- ability to monitor your own progress
- willingness to ask for help when needed
- dedication to search for information
- computer skills
Full-time online programs at Algonquin College are defined as full-time education in an off-campus learning environment i.e. work or home, from a quality facilitator through the use of internet/web-based material.
The Benefits Of Attending An Online College
With the advancement in computer and networking technology, distance learning has become economical and widespread. Today, getting a degree online is not just possible, but quite common. And the best part is that online learning has opened doors to education for those who simply dont have the time to sit in a traditional classroom such as those non-traditional students who work full time. Heres why online courses are a great option for full-time workers:
The flexibility provided by online learning will probably be the biggest reason for you to consider an online program while working full-time. Not being tied to a set class time in a specific location allows you to work full-time and still complete your coursework when your professional, personal and family commitments allow. For many online students, classroom time may be very early in the morning before work, late at night after the kids are asleep or during weekends.
As long as there is an internet connection and your electronic device for learning , you can access the course material. You can complete the class assignments anywhere that works for you. This means you can watch or listen to the class lecture during the work commute, while on vacation or even late at night in your pajamas. Not only is this convenient, but it allows you to most efficiently make use of your downtime.
Jenny Rush
Mother, graduate and full-time worker
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Do I Need To Make The Same Commitment Taking A Full
Yes. Although full-time online programs allow you to personalize your study and homework schedule, it is essentially the same workload. Full-time online benefits students who like to work independently and in an off-campus setting.
Upon completion, you will receive the same Ontario College accreditation that on-campus programs give you.
Will My Professor Know Me Well Enough To Write Me A Recommendation Letter
The answer to this question depends on how much you participated in class , whether you did the assignments on time, whether you completed the units, how well you did on tests and essays, and how you presented yourself in class. If you received high praise from your professor and interacted often with the material, your classmates, and your professor, then you should have no qualms about requesting a letter of recommendation from this person.
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Things To Consider When Choosing Your Online College
When choosing an online program that is right for you, the particular rankings and college environment that matters with traditional colleges falls by the wayside.
Instead, one of the main aspects is accreditation. Accreditation is how universities are evaluated. A third-party peer review board ensures that what the college promises to deliver is, indeed, delivered.
For example,University of the People received accreditation from the Distance Education Accreditation Council , making it the first ever tuition-free, non-profit, online US-accredited university.
Photo by Helloquence on Unsplash
Create A Regular Study Space And Stay Organized
Set up a dedicated learning environment for studying. By completing your work there repeatedly, youll begin to establish a routine. Whether your workspace is your kitchen table, a library, or the corner booth in a local coffee shop, its important to determine what type of environment will work best for you. Experiment to discover which type of setting boosts your productivity. Wherever you choose, make sure theres high-speed internet access so youre not trying to take an online course over a lagging connection.Setting up a regular workspace or office will also help you to stay organized. Knowing exactly where important dates, files, forms, syllabi, books, and assignments live will help keep you on track towards hitting your goals. When setting up your study space, make sure you:
- Have a high-speed internet connection
- Have the required books, materials, and software for the course
- Have headphones for listening to lectures or discussions
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How Do You Communicated With Teachers And Students
Online courses thrive on effective communication.
Your professor will let you know how you can best reach him or her. That might be by phone or email, or you may even video chat.
Your communication with other students will be largely through forums or message boards, where you will answer writing prompts and engage in conversation about the class material.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Degree Programs
The time it takes to earn an online bachelor’s degree depends on several factors, including your course load, the number of previously earned credits you have, and your enrollment status . Traditional bachelor’s programs are designed to take four years. However, online students may be able to enroll in accelerated programs, taking classes throughout the year and finishing in less time.
Generally, employers value online and in-person degrees similarly, as long as credentials are earned through an accredited school or program. Skepticism surrounding online learning has declined sharply over the past decade. However, views may vary by employer.
Online degree programs are considered by many employers to be comparable to in-person options. Employers are more likely to care about your previous experience, the reputation of your school/program, and the type of degree you earned.
Online degree programs are often worth it for students interested in the increased convenience and flexibility provided by online schooling, and many online learners see a positive return on their investment.
The job prospects provided by an online degree vary based on the type of degree you earn. Many adult learners find that obtaining an online degree allows them to further their current career or switch into an exciting new field, without disrupting their day-to-day life.
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Figure Out How You Learn Best
Once youve established where youll learn, think about when and how you accomplish your best work. If youre a morning person, make time to study first thing. More of a night owl? Set aside an hour or two after dinner to cozy up to your computer. If the kids require your morning and evening attention, try to carve out a study session mid-day while theyre at school. Brew your usual cup of coffee, put on your go-to playlist, and do whatever you need to get into the zone and down to business.Not everyone learns the same way, so think about what types of information help you best grasp new concepts and employ relevant study strategies. If youre a visual learner, for example, print out transcripts of the video lectures to review. Learn best by listening? Make sure to build time into your schedule to play and replay all audio- and video-based course content.
Centre For Flexible Learning
Learn anywhere on a schedule that suits you via Seneca’s version of eCampus.
Seneca College’s Centre for Flexible Learning offers an extensive and diverse selection of self-directed online courses and programs. With 16,500+ online registrations annually across 400+ courses, we are continuously committed to providing flexible learning optionsfor all students. Whether you work full time, have personal or family responsibilities, Senecaensures students are successful in adding higher education studies to their already busy lives.That’s really what we’re all about: student success.
For more than 40 years, Seneca’s commitment to quality and practical education has helped ourgraduates become successful leaders in business, industry and our communities. We offer a widerange of online courses and programs, which students can participate in from the comfort of theirhomes. With all of the possibilities available through the Centre for Flexible Learning, you aresure to find a course or program that is right for you.
Browse our offerings below:
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What Is The Academic Planner
The Academic Planner is a new tool for students studying part-time that helps chart your progress through your part-time program by listing all the courses you have completed that can be applied towards various programs. The tool can also help you to determine if you are eligible to ladder completed courses into other programs. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under Continuing Education on the left-hand toolbar.
Is Online Learning Right For You
Note: Beginning in the spring 2018 terms, you may be required to have access to a webcam and microphone in order to complete proctored online exams through Honorlock. For more information, contact your instructor, or TCLs Online Course Coordinator at 843-525-8317 or
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What Are The Most Popular Majors
Many students choose majors that can help them along their chosen career path. Learners who are uncertain about their future career plans often choose majors in business or the arts, gaining a solid set of ubiquitous, marketable skills.
The most popular majors for a bachelor’s program change somewhat from year to year. The following list provides the most popular bachelor’s degrees in the 2017-2018 school year according to NCES: