| Just a few short years ago, the idea of
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| | online. Colleges have to buy the
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| taking a college course through the
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| | software, train their faculty, and offer
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| Internet was something online "techies"
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| | student services after hours - so
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| considered. Now that people realize how
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| | expecting online courses to be less
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| convenience it is to take a class without
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| | expensive is not reasonable.
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| leaving home, more and more people are
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| | On the other hand, the same financial aid
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| taking advantage of using their computer
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| | is often available for online classes,
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| to learn.
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| | just as with campus classes. So, money
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| But while the technology used for online
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| | should not stop any student from
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| classes is so simple just about anyone
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| | furthering their education!
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| can become an online student, you should
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| | 4) Do you have the right technical
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| ask yourself the following 5 questions
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| | skills?
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| first - and save yourself a lot of
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| | Fortunately, you don't have to be a
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| stress!
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| | computer "genius" to take an online
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| 1) Do you have the time?
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| | class. The technology has become very
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| Many people think - mistakenly - that
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| | simple for students and teachers to use,
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| online courses are "easier" than
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| | so that students who can "surf the
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| traditional campus classes. But most
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| | Internet" and use email usually have the
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| online classes require regular
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| | necessary technical skills.
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| participation. So, you must have the
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| | Before getting started, the school
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| time to "log on" to your course several
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| | offering the course should have a sample
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| times each week, complete the assignments
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| | course, tutorial, or other training to
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| and do your homework, and interact with
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| | help you determine if there are any
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| the other students.
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| | skills you need to learn, so you can
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| All of this takes time...and, you have to
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| | become a successful online student!
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| account for the time you would normally
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| | 5) Do you have the right computer
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| have spent in the classroom. If you have
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| | equipment?
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| the time, you will find taking an online
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| | Since most online classes are taught
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| class to be very convenient!
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| | through the Internet, students usually
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| 2) Do you have the discipline?
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| | don't need any special computer
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| Sure, most online classes don't require
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| | equipment. However, most online classes
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| you to be on the computer at a specific
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| | require students to have reliable access
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| time (although some do). So it is up to
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| | to the Internet, an email account (and
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| you to make sure you check in on your
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| | the knowledge to use it), a word
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| class several times each week. With a
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| | processor (such as Microsoft Word), and
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| busy work schedule, sports, hobbies,
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| | antivirus software. Check with your
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| housework, kids, it's easy to put your
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| | school to see if there are any other
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| class low on your priority list. And
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| | requirements.
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| that could mean big trouble when it comes
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| | A high speed internet connection is
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| time to get your grade.
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| | usually not required, but if instructors
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| It's not the teacher's job to remind you
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| | use graphics, videos, audio lectures, or
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| to keep up with your work - that's your
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| | other big files, a high speed connection
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| responsibility. A simple way to make
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| | (such as DSL or cable) will help you open
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| this work is to create your own schedule,
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| | the files, and do you work, more
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| so each week you know exactly when it's
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| | efficiently!
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| time to "go to class"!
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| | Are you ready now to take your first
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| 3) Do you have the money?
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| | online class? Then it's time to contact
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| While there are many free or low-cost
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| | your local college, or search the
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| online "self help" courses available,
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| | internet for an online class directory,
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| college courses almost always cost the
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| | and see what online courses you can take!
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| same whether you take them on-campus, or
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