If you struggled in high school and now wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree, an online program may be the solution.
Even before you complete your degree, an online program can help you advance your career. You can continue working full time and consider starting off with smaller credentials such as a certificate, then transition into an associate or bachelor’s program.
Most online programs also provide course advisers to help you evaluate your readiness for an online degree or suggest some online developmental courses in English or math to catch up on certain skills.
Learn [what to ask an adviser before starting an online program.]
Below are four aspects of online courses that can lead to academic success even if you struggled in high school.
1. Weekly assignments can help keep you on track. Each week, you will likely complete readings or watch course-related videos, then submit an assignment that may include discussion board posts or short papers.
You may not have kept up with coursework in high school. But in online classes, these weekly assignments will help you keep pace. You — as well as the instructor — will also know right away if you are struggling with the material.
2. Courses may link learning to practical examples. Sometimes, students struggle in high school because what they are learning seems irrelevant. In the best online degree programs, faculty teach information as well as provide real-world examples that students can instantly and directly apply to their jobs. That helps career-focused students master the material and succeed.
Speak to an online program adviser before enrolling to ensure that courses and professors directly connect class material to practical situations. If they do, you will learn more effectively, enjoy your courses more and overcome one problem that made it hard for you to succeed in the past.
3. Low-stakes assessments can help determine if you are mastering the material. In high school, you may not have realized you were having trouble until you saw that red mark on your first exam, several months into the semester when it was too late to catch up. Besides those high-stakes assessments — like midterms or finals — many online students complete what are known as low-stakes assessments, or assignments or short quizzes that count as a small part of your grade.
Explore [nine types of assignments in online courses.]
Low-stakes assessments serve as an early warning sign, providing regular feedback from your professor on whether you understand what you are learning. These assessments offer another way to keep you from falling behind.
4. Your professor can serve as your partner in online success. Online class instructors are often eager to help you succeed. You can videoconference with them during office hours, attend webinars or email them directly or through the online course portal. You may also use social media to contact your professor or classmates or even meet your professor in person if you live near campus.
If you don’t understand something, ask your professor immediately for help. If you have struggled in the past, the extra guidance may enable you to succeed in college.
The takeaway: If you struggled with coursework in high school, online learning may be the answer. A good online course will help you pace yourself through assignments and illustrate whether you are mastering the material through low-stakes assessments. Both of those features may also help you build the discipline you need to succeed in online courses and beyond.
More from U.S. News
Ask an Adviser 5 Questions Before Starting an Online Program
3 Statistics to Consider When Assessing Online Faculty
Restart an Online Bachelor’s Program After Failing, Dropping Out
Consider Online College After Struggling in High School originally appeared on usnews.com
