Online Education Takes Discipline

The following short article is written to provide general advice about online education and degrees, not just information specific to WGU. If you have specific questions about WGU, feel free to inquire online or speak with an enrollment counselor (1-866-225-5948).

Online learning isn’t any easier than a traditional college degree program. The most challenging online degree programs, in fact, require intense discipline, self-motivation, and good time management skills.

Follow these tips to make the most of your time while you obtain your online degree.

• Avoid Distractions: You’ll spend most of your learning time on the Web—avoid the urge to chat with friends, check your Facebook account or surf your favorite sports and celebrity sites.
• Schedule Time for Study: Most online degree programs recommend you devote at least 3 to 5 hours of study time for each hour of class time. If you already work full time and have a family to take care of, make sure to decide where you will find time for your studies. Maybe you’ll get family to pitch in with more household chores, get up a few hours earlier or go to bed a little bit later. Make your studies a priority in your life.
• Find a Quiet Place: It’s easier to remain disciplined when you have a specific workspace where visitors won’t bother you. Some people have no problem working in busy places like coffee shops, bookstores or libraries. Others want a home office with a door that closes. Experiment with different locations until you find the best place to work on getting your degree.