Flexibility That Matters

One of the most popular reasons for choosing an online pathway is because of the flexibility it offers. After all, being able to go to class based on your own schedule sounds like the dream. While many students need this flexibility out of necessity, all students can benefit from the less rigid structure of an online program.

Some of the common things students use this flexibility for include:

• Working a full- or part-time job
• Participating in internships to gain experience
• Volunteering and being active within their community
• Taking care of children or other family members
• Opting to engage in educational content when they’re most alert (e.g., avoiding that 8 a.m. class)
• Accelerating their college studies with large course loads as a deliberate plan with their academic advisor

Study From Anywhere

For some students, the thought of staying in one place for four years is unbearable. For others, moving away from their home to go to a university is impossible. Thankfully, online programs at top universities make studying from anywhere a real possibility. This can be a huge benefit to students who are otherwise unable to relocate to a university, plus the flexibility provides all students, regardless of their location, with a whole range of new options, such as:

• Choosing a city that offers more internships or job opportunities than a college town
• Saving money by living with family
• Living with children or elderly parents who require caretaking or other support while also pursuing a degree
• Pursuing a top degree while remaining in the best school zone for their children or the best city for the employment opportunities for their spouse
• Enjoying travel, and having the freedom to explore a foreign country and immersing oneself in a new culture
• Joining a spouse on deployment while pursuing their own college degree
• Staying in a community they love without potentially sacrificing the quality of their education

While students completing colleges in residence are place-bound during a traditional semester, online students are able to move throughout the year.

Paying For What You Need

While there are many resources to help reduce the cost of higher education, the fact remains that money matters. That is why one of the biggest benefits of an online pathway is that they can be more affordable than their on-campus counterparts.

• Taking classes online means you’re not tied to live in one particular location, so you can save money by living in more affordable locations.
• Online programs have more flexible schedules but also do not require students to get to campus for class, avoiding costs associated with parking, public transportation and other travel costs normally required to get to, from campus.
• Some universities offer online programs where students can opt in or out of extra expenses associated with on-campus facilities.
• Some universities offer lower tuition rates and/or fees than their campus counterpart programs and, as a result, reduce the cost of attendance for students who prefer online pathways.

Ultimately, saving money on your higher education comes down to paying for what you need. Between optional fee packages, the option to live in more affordable cities, and online students receiving the same financial resources as on-campus students, online degree programs make higher education an affordable option for most people.

Setting Your Own Pace

One of the often-overlooked benefits of online classes is the ability to set the pace of your lectures. Most students can benefit from being able to control the speed of their instruction. Whether this is because a subject is particularly difficult for them or because they are already familiar with a topic, being able to adjust your studies can save you valuable time and hassle. Some of the ways that online colleges enable self-pacing include:

• Pre-recorded lectures that can be rewatched as needed to reinforce topics
• Playback control that allow students to pause, speed-up, and slow-down video
• Flexible course offerings so you can take more or fewer classes during different semesters

Personalized Attention

Another often-overlooked benefit of online classes is the classroom size and personalized attention. All students benefit from smaller classes and more personal attention from professors. In addition, online academic advisors can learn a lot more about individual students and how they can best help those students. This leads to better student performance and support, not to mention, that having a close relationship with professors and advisors makes getting letters of recommendation that much easier.

Aside from smaller class sizes and quality interactions with professors, UF Online students work one-on-one with their dedicated academic advisor, who provides personalized attention throughout a student’s journey to the finish line. UF Online advisors help guide students towards their goals, both academic and professional.

Should You Attend College Via an Online Pathway?

Ultimately, the decision on where and how to attend college is a personal one, and not all universities and online programs are created equal. UF Online prioritizes providing a high-quality education with plenty of one-on-one attention at an affordable price. Plus, UF Online even offers optional packages for on-campus facilities. In the end, when you’re planning your higher education, think about what is important to you. An online pathway can offer a lot of unexpected benefits without compromising on quality.