Let’s begin with some statistics. 1 in 3 students enrolled in bachelor’s programs will change their majors. As for those pursuing associate degrees, 28% will choose a different major. That’s the consequence of not choosing the right program from the get-go. It adversely affects your academic journey and prevents you from landing your dream one – all because your degree program doesn’t align with your goals.
Many students, at times, choose to study a subject they have little to no knowledge about, often due to peer pressure. Some students aren’t interested in STEM programs, but they still ride the STEM bandwagon, given the immense popularity of these subjects. Choosing the wrong area of study can have these effects on you:
- Increased stress levels due to looming deadlines and accumulating coursework
- A diminished job market and limited job prospects due to low self-esteem
- Dropping out of college
- Feelings of isolation in the classroom and a decline in morale
- Underperforming due to a lack of motivation
In this blog, we’ll discuss eight surefire ways to choose the right online degree for you. So, follow these tips and choose the perfect degree that aligns with your ambitions and long-term career goals.
Choosing an Ideal Online Degree: 8 Steps to Academic Success
Let’s say you’re looking for a two-year degree in social sciences and humanities. You could be looking for a hybrid degree that offers a certain number of credits in residence so you can have hands-on experience pre-employment. You have to study subjects like math, business, health, etc., to achieve your career goals. Based on all this information and criteria, an online associate degree for general studies will be perfect for you.
This example illustrates how to choose an online degree that matches your goals and objectives. If you want to choose an ideal degree program, follow this 8-step approach:
1: Define Your Career and Academic Goals
Did you know that 9 out of 10 students in the UAE develop career goals in high school? Over 70% of them realize in their teenage years what they want to be in the future. Now, that’s goal-setting. On the other hand, 1 in 2 students in America are clear about their career goals. So, it would help if you started by determining your career and academic goals before worrying about which degree would be perfect for you. You should:
- Identify Your Passions: Which subjects are you passionate about? What are your hobbies, and how can you translate them into a career? Your passions and ambitions matter a lot here.
- Research Career Paths: Emotions alone shouldn’t drive this decision. Do some research into which degrees are popular right now and which skills employers want job applicants to have. It’ll help you understand what educational background is necessary to break into the job market.
2: Research Available Programs
- Accreditation: Your preferred online program must be accredited. Accreditations from the relevant authorities matter, specifically for career prospects.
- Requirements: Which courses are mandatory, and which ones are optional? You should research the curriculum and degree requirements of this program.
- Offerings: Does this program offer your desired major 100% online or hybrid options instead? Are there on-campus attendance requirements?
3: Assess the Quality of the Program
Check their portfolios and LinkedIn profiles. Make sure they are qualified to teach that subject. You should also speak with their former students and ask these questions:
- How many of you graduated?
- What kind of jobs did you land?
- How satisfied were you with this program?
4: Assess Online Support Services
You can’t have any technical issues coming between you and good grades. So, look into what kind of tech support you get from the administration. Does this college offer resources for online students? Let’s say you are having trouble downloading PDFs, submitting your test online, or accessing videos on the portal.
A robust tech support system will eliminate these roadblocks so you can focus solely on your studies.
5: Consider Flexibility and Format
The sheer purpose of eLearning is to be flexible and accommodate students’ busy lives. However, the lack of flexibility can make even an online program tediously boring. The US already faces a harrowing college dropout rate of 40% per year, and you most likely don’t want to be among them. So, the ideal online program for you is the one with the most flexibility.
- Pacing: Do you prefer live classes or pre-recorded lectures? Choose an online program that offers both formats and aligns with your learning preferences.
- Format: This program should let you study at a pace you are comfortable with, not one with strict deadlines or commitments you can’t work around.
6: Consider Your Finances
Don’t forget to run an ROI analysis. Maybe an expensive online degree makes you eligible to apply for an internship and, later, a job that helps make the program worth pursuing.
7: Visit Virtual Open Houses
Another strategy is to attend webinars or virtual open houses. This way, you can interact with the faculty members or talk to the students pursuing this degree. That’s how you can assess if this program is what you are looking for. You can directly ask faculty members questions regarding their engagement strategies or share your concerns about the program with them.
8: Make an Informed Decision
A survey says that two-thirds of instructors have identified student engagement as a major problem. That’s because most students don’t choose a degree program that matches their goals or know what their goals even are, for that matter. So, here’s what you should do:
- Create a Pros and Cons List: After gathering the necessary info, list the advantages and disadvantages of your chosen online program.
- Trust Your Instincts: Ultimately, choose a program that feels right for you based on all gathered information, personal goals, and career aspirations.
Don’t forget that your academic goals keep you motivated and make an online degree worth pursuing.
So, don’t run toward a master’s degree in data science because your next-door neighbor is pursuing it or enroll in a BBA program out of sheer peer pressure. Go through your long-term objectives – gauge what you’re truly passionate about and your ambitions – to choose the ideal online degree program.
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