{"id":56578,"date":"2021-03-24T13:31:11","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T20:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=56578"},"modified":"2021-04-26T11:13:45","modified_gmt":"2021-04-26T18:13:45","slug":"how-to-overcome-the-challenges-of-an-online-masters-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/how-to-overcome-the-challenges-of-an-online-masters-program\/","title":{"rendered":"How to overcome the challenges of an online Master\u2019s program"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Online master\u2019s programs make it much easier for non-traditional students to juggle the responsibilities of adulthood — full-time work, childcare, eldercare, housework, and so on — with the demands of an academic program. But if you\u2019ve never taken courses online before, you\u2019ll find that these programs can be challenging in a very different way than traditional courses in a brick-and-mortar classroom.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, most adults who\u2019ve made it far enough academically and professionally to get accepted into an online master\u2019s program already have the skills they need to surmount the unique challenges these programs can present. For example, you probably already have a high level of digital literacy if you\u2019re considering an online degree. You probably have some time management skills and you may even have some strategies for staying motivated while you work on a long project. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the most common challenges you\u2019ll face in an online master\u2019s program, and how to overcome them.<\/p>\n

Technical Issues and Digital Literacy<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Technical issues are the bane of online learners and their professors alike. They can strike anyone at just about any time — equipment fails, connections go down, and glitches occur. You can\u2019t always prevent technical issues and you can\u2019t always resolve them right away. You should keep your professor in the loop when dealing with technical issues, and don\u2019t be afraid to rely on your university\u2019s tech support for online students.<\/p>\n

Digital literacy is another matter. You probably already know not to use all caps or try to convey sarcasm without using the sarcasm font<\/a>. Pay attention to your professor\u2019s instructions regarding how and when to submit files, and adhere to student codes of conduct when participating in online discussions. If you\u2019re not sure what the netiquette<\/a> is for some situations, don\u2019t be afraid to ask your more savvy classmates or even your professors.<\/p>\n

Poor Time Management and Trouble Staying Motivated<\/h4>\n

Most adults who are going back to school for a master\u2019s already have busy lives and careers, so they understand the importance of time management. You\u2019re going to have to turn up your time management skills to an 11 to get through grad school, though.<\/p>\n

Poor time management will sink your academic prospects faster than anything else, so be sure to tackle it head-on from the beginning. Schedule blocks of uninterrupted time that you can use to study. Most people in online masters programs choose to study<\/a> when it\u2019s quiet at home, usually late at night or early in the morning, but if you\u2019re especially busy, you may want to look elsewhere in your schedule for times that could be dedicated to coursework. You might want to start spending your hour lunch breaks at work reviewing course materials and completing assignments, for example. Write down your study schedule and post it in a prominent location at home, where your family can see it and know when they shouldn\u2019t interrupt it.<\/p>\n

Staying motivated can also be a huge challenge, especially when you\u2019re working towards a goal like a master\u2019s degree that is difficult and takes a long time to achieve. It\u2019s usually easier to stay motivated if you\u2019re working towards your goal regularly. You\u2019ll build up more momentum, and keep it going, if you work a couple hours every day instead of locking yourself in the attic all weekend every weekend. Not only do you have to pace yourself, so that your level of effort remains sustainable over the course of the whole program, but it\u2019s also so much easier to find the willpower to get to work if you worked yesterday and you\u2019re pretty sure you\u2019ll work tomorrow, too.<\/p>\n

Lack of Connection with Students and Professors<\/strong><\/h4>\n

One of the biggest differences between online master\u2019s programs and the traditional kind is the lack of physical proximity with your classmates and professors. This can lead some students to feel disconnected, as though they\u2019re missing out on a bonding experience with classmates or even on expanding their professional network through those casual, friendly interactions with peers.<\/p>\n

You have to put more effort into connecting with your classmates when you\u2019re in an online program. Make it a point to reach out for virtual study groups, phone calls, and video chats. Exchange texts and email messages with your classmates. Your efforts could pay off in the form of lifelong friendships and lasting professional connections.<\/p>\n

Online master\u2019s programs have their challenges, but it\u2019s nothing a smart, disciplined student can handle. Take advantage of distance learning to move forward in your career and take charge of your professional life. You\u2019ll wonder why you waited so long.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Online master\u2019s programs make it much easier for non-traditional students to juggle the responsibilities of adulthood — full-time work, childcare, eldercare, housework, and so on — with the demands of an academic program. But if you\u2019ve never taken courses online before, you\u2019ll find that these programs can be challenging in a very different way than […]\n… learn more→<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":56579,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[366269],"coauthors":[11733],"class_list":["post-56578","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-higher-education","tag-online-masters-program"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to overcome the challenges of an online Master\u2019s program - World leading higher education information and services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/world.edu\/how-to-overcome-the-challenges-of-an-online-masters-program\/\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to overcome the challenges of an online Master\u2019s program - World leading higher education information and services\" class=\"yoast-seo-meta-tag\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Online master\u2019s programs make it much easier for non-traditional students to juggle the responsibilities of adulthood — full-time work, childcare, eldercare, housework, and so on — with the demands of an academic program. 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