If you’re on the fence about attending an online university, you shouldn’t be. For the most part, an online university is a better option for most people than a traditional university. This is especially true if you’ve taken some time off from school! Today, Student Life Online spotlights just some of the reasons why you should be attending an online university, as well as some tips and tricks for getting started at the school of your choice.

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Why it Often Beats a Traditional Setting

We all know the internet is important but we rarely pause to consider just how greatly it impacts our everyday lives. For instance, studies have found that Americans spend almost a full 24 hours of their time each week online and texting! If you’re already spending that much time online anyway, then you might as well put that time to good use by attending an online university.

Online Universities Have Fewer Distractions

When you’re attending a university in person, you face a multitude of things that can distract you from getting your degree, from memorizing bus schedules to finding the right room in the right building at the right time. When you attend school online, though, you have far fewer distractions, thanks to both the streamlined nature and the flexibility of online learning. Put simply, online schools are built for people who want to get things done.

You Can Keep Living Your Life

Most people can’t afford to do anything besides attend school. We all have lives to live, though. For some, that means working full time to make ends meet. For others, it entails taking care of a family. Online universities allow you to earn a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree while you keep living your normal life. They’re more flexible than traditional schools.

School Can Move at Your Pace

When you earn a degree online, you can do things at your own pace. This means learning your material faster or slower than what others are, and not having to worry about keeping up or slowing down. Everyone learns differently. Online universities allow that to happen organically.

Where Online Universities Can Use Some Improvement

There’s got to be some bad with the good in everything, and that includes attending an online university. Online universities require you to have a ton of self-discipline. You’re not going to be reminded of every lecture or every assignment the way you would be in a classroom setting.

They also lack a social life in many cases, which can be a big deal-breaker for some. After all, living socially is a big draw of the college experience.

There’s No Limit to What You Can Learn Online

Online universities offer many of the same degree programs that a campus will. You can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in a number of different fields, like computer science, engineering, and even nursing. You don’t have to compromise your education because you’re taking classes online.

Picking a School That’s Right for You

Picking the school that you’re going to attend is a big deal. When looking at schools, be sure to consider the following:

• Application deadlines: When can you start school after applying?
• Tuition rates: Are you going to be able to afford your degree?
• Accreditation: Make sure the school that you’re considering is accredited. You want to be able to use your degree.

As long as you keep all of these things in mind, getting an online degree is easy! There’s no reason not to start pursuing your education today.

Student Life Online is the top college and education blog for real students. If you have any questions, let us know!