Distance Learning provides a flexible alternative to the traditional classroom, helping you reach your goals while managing a busy life. If you are self-motivated, disciplined and like to set your own schedule, online classes might be a good fit for you.

Advisers are available to help you determine if you have the skill set to undertake an online degree program or individual online courses. You can help determine your own readiness by asking yourself the following questions:

• Do you communicate well through writing and have good reading comprehension?
• Can you manage unstructured study time well?
• Are you self-motivated and self-disciplined or do you put things off until the last minute?
• Are you willing to be proactive and contribute often to class discussions?
• Can you commit to 5-10 hours of academic work each week for each course you are enrolled in?
• Do you have regular computer and Internet access?
• Are you comfortable with technology or easily frustrated?
• Do you believe that high quality instruction can take place outside of a traditional classroom?

To be successful in distance learning, you can’t procrastinate or put off assignments. Even though you have the freedom to work on your own schedule, you must be structured and plan to do the required work each week. Falling behind in the work will only cause you stress and will ultimately make completing the course harder.

Good reading comprehension skills are vital, as most course work is distributed in text-based documents. Though learning is sometimes enhanced by video and audio clips and chat discussions with faculty and other students, you won’t find traditional lectures where you would be absorbing information by taking notes.

Class participation is included as part of the student’s grade in most courses. As with live instruction courses, it will be up to the individual instructor to determine what constitutes adequate participation in their online class. You will be expected to adhere to "Netiquette" standards of online communication conduct as established by the faculty for each course.

Independent learning is much different than the social aspect of a live classroom setting. Active, meaningful participation in discussion forums is imperative for success in the online environment. You can also form study groups as desired. However this may not be possible for every student depending on your schedule limitations and commitments.

You must be able to resist distractions, whether it be people in your home, the TV or other interruptions on your computer while you’re doing class work. You need to be able to set aside blocks of time where studying takes priority.

Assessment
If you have few of the qualities mentioned in the above section, you may want to reconsider Distance Learning. Remember that online learning is not for everyone and, while it is an excellent choice for some, others will always struggle with learning independently.