5 Reasons to Take an Online Course This Year

Online education could be one of the best inventions to come out of the internet. Traditional education often means you need to travel to the school (which limits your choice of course), pay thousands of dollars in tuition fees and face the complications of over-subscribed courses which mean you may have to compromise on your subject.

Millions of students all over the world are turning to online courses to learn something that they’ve always wanted to learn. Through an online learning platform, you can achieve things you never thought possible and access opportunities which will change your future for the better. Here are 5 reasons to begin an online course this year.

photo/ ilipp kozachuk

1. Wide choice of subjects and course types

To get a place on the perfect course in a traditional school, you may have to move away from home to live in a new city. That comes with lifestyle changes as well as social and emotional challenges which can be exciting, but also stressful. Some people may even compromise on the type of course they begin so they can stay closer to home. Online learning gives you the opportunity to choose a course which you really want to do without this complication. You can find an online course in pretty much any subject and it doesn’t matter where you live. Whether the course is something which will enable you to pursue the career of your dreams or simply something that interests you, you can learn wherever you are.

You don’t even need to pick a school in the same country as you! There are many educational institutions across the world which welcome students from any nation. For example, Victoria University in Australia is ranked among the world’s top 2% of universities and offers flexible online learning in Master of Business Administration (MBA) via Victoria University Online or VU Online.

2. Flexible learning from the comfort of home

Online courses are much more flexible in terms of when and where you study. While traditional education often requires you to sit in a hall for several hours at a set time, regardless of your other commitments, online learning can be flexible. Your materials and lectures are all accessible online, so you can choose when you want to study and can do so from the comfort of home, a coffee shop, local library or wherever you are able to study best. You won’t need to drive or use public transport to get to class saving time and money and you don’t need to get up early to beat the traffic.

3. Broaden your resume

Whether you’re in the middle of your career or just starting out, an online course is a fantastic way to add depth and variety to your resume. Whatever the subject, it shows potential employers that you are committed to continued learning and development which in turn gives the impression that you’re highly motivated, can multitask and not afraid to take on new challenges. An online qualification is the same in terms of authenticity as a traditional one and, when achieved via a prestigious university, could give your career a real boost.

4. You can learn at your own pace

Online learning is self-paced which means you can complete the course targets at any time and fit learning around your schedule. You don’t have to attend classes at a certain time, so your current employment and personal commitments don’t have to be sacrificed. This makes online learning a great option for people studying with a full-time job or single parents who may otherwise feel education isn’t an option. Study at night, in the morning, on your lunch break or even on the bus – you can make the course work for you.

5. Online learning usually costs less

Cost is often a deterrent for people considering going back to education. The cost of online courses will vary depending on which provider and course you choose, but on average, online courses tend to be cheaper. You also need to consider the travel or accommodation expenses you’ll save by staying at home. Some online courses are completely free of charge although these rarely come with a certificate of completion or a qualification. If the cost of learning is a problem for you, then you may want to consider Financial Aid to help with the cost.

Ready to start learning?

To start an online course, you need to have a passion for learning and the motivation to stay on track so make sure you choose the topic and format which is right for you. You can learn at your own pace, but you’ll be in control of your own development, and that’s hugely important when it comes to our self-esteem.

Author: Carol Trehearn