Distance Learning Online Courses

Until recent times, further education was a problem for
many people. Busy lifestyles and demanding jobs meant that
individuals could not commit to attending night school at
the same time each week. Daytime classes were completely
out of the question. However, the growth of the Internet
has started to change options as well as attitudes. There
are now many distance learning online courses to chose
from, ranging from certificate to doctorate courses.

The big advantage of distance learning online courses is
that you do not have to physically attend classes to
improve your education. You become an online student
instead. So they are ideal for people who are in full time
employment. It is important to note though that it has
brought the famous universities to you. You don't have to
relocate to study at Oxford or Cambridge in the United
Kingdom or Harvard in the United States. You can enrol for
distance learning courses at many famous universities,
provided you pass their entry requirements.

Distance learning online courses are not an easy option
though. It is true that they are more accessible for many
people. However, the universities do maintain academic
rigour with these courses. A distance learning degree is on
a par with a degree studied full time.

Flexibility is the name of the game with distance learning
courses. There are generally minimum and maximum time
frames in which work has to be completed. Many people try
to keep on top of their studies and complete them as
quickly as possible, but have that reassurance of knowing
that if a domestic problem arises them can ease right off
with their studies until the problem has been sorted. Many
students report in their feedback that it is this
flexibility which is the greatest benefit of distance
learning online courses.

You may be thinking online courses may well be flexible but
what about the quality of the tuition. The answer is that
in many cases the online student gets more attention than a
student who attends traditional classes. When you enrol
online you are allocated a tutor who you are able to keep
in touch with constantly. You have 'one to one' access.
Whereas in a traditional class there are generally too many
students for the tutor to give much time to individual
tuition.

The benefits of distance learning

The first benefit and for many it is the biggest benefit is
that distance learning is not as expensive as the
traditional method of attending college. Most institutions
offer flexible payment options so you should be able to
work out a plan which fits in with your budget.

A second benefit of distance learning is psychological. It
gives you the opportunity to develop in ways that you could
have missed out on in the past. This leads to increased
confidence and increases your marketability to prospective
employers or even give you the impetus to start your own
business.

The third benefit of distance learning is of convenience as
mentioned earlier. For many people once they have started
to study online they carry on taking higher level courses
or studying a topic just for the sake of learning itself.
Whatever the reason there has never been a better time for
going back to college and you can thank the Internet for
that.

Distance learning is not for everyone so you need to decide
if it is for you. You need to have a learning style that
would work with this style of education. If you are good at
motivating yourself and are self disciplined, that is, you
can keep to deadlines then you are ideally suited to
distance learning. If you need to be pushed along or are
easily distracted from what you should be doing then
distance learning may not be your cup of tea. In this case
the traditional method of attending classes may be best so
that you can get the 'face to face' support you require.


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Michael Saville has written more articles about distance
learning. These can be found at
http://www.vicariously.net/career The site provides
information and advice on distance learning online courses
and ways to study.

Great Gifts For Grads

Ah, graduation. Remember that soaring feeling of freedom?
That excitement of stepping out into a whole new world of
choices and decisions, all made by you? There's no doubt
that graduation, whether it be from high school, college,
or grad school, is a wonderful milestone in life.

But what do you give to commemorate such a milestone?
Something useful? Something time-honored that they'll keep
forever? Something fun to say, "Hey! Good Job!"?

It's a personal decision, so we'll give you both sides of
the fence here, from the seriously special to the downright
fun.

For a Creative Gift

Think about what you really missed when you went away to
college (or what you missed when you left college and
stepped out into the real world). Think about that first
week in your dorm room, sleeping with a bunch of strangers.
Why not put some creative thinking to work and stock up a
'Going Away' trunk? Fill it with snacks, a comfy blanket, a
travel mug for coffee, and any other little things your
grad might need at school (or, at their first day on the
job).

You could also think about throwing in some fun, reusable
water bottles. Those are always handy!

For a Healthy Gift

Give him or her ways to combat the 'Freshman 15' (you know,
the fabled 15 pounds that every freshman puts on when they
start college?) Create a portable fitness kit for him, or
make her a gift basket full of healthy, organic snacks. Or,
instead of throwing it all in a basket, why not put it all
in a brand new backpack or laundry bag?

For Pure Decadence and Fun

Ok, so here's where you can splurge if you're feeling
extravagant. Remember how, well, yucky those showers could
be in the dorm? Why not stock her up on the nicest soaps
and shampoos, all in a portable plastic basket she can
carry to the bathroom. Don't forget the flip-flops (and
perhaps a luxurious bathrobe).

For the Time-Honored Gift

When is jewelry not appreciated? A diamond necklace or
silver bracelet is a great way to honor your grad's
accomplishment, and it's something he or she will keep
forever.

Or, what about some books on how to navigate his way
through school (or, the real world for that matter .)
Again, these could be put in a new backpack or briefcase.

For a Technology Gift

Well, you've got about a million choices in this category!
You could get her a PDA to help manage all those parties
she's going to be attending (and she might, occasionally,
use it to track homework assignments!).

How about a nice pair of headphones for his iPod for when
he has to walk to class (or to work)? Or you might consider
a flash drive for his laptop to make it easy to transfer
files.

Digital cameras also make great gifts, especially if your
grad is starting college. They'll be able to take plenty of
pictures to send home to their family!

With all the great gifts available for grads, there's no
doubt that with a little creativity you can come up with
something special, useful, or just fun to honor this
momentous occasion.

----------------------------------------------------
Pat Brill is co-founder of http://www.SilkBow.com which
supports Busy Moms with free gift ideas and helpful tips to
meet the challenges of motherhood. She is also co-founder
of http://www.WellnessArticles.net , a directory of
articles covering many areas of wellness. You can reach Pat
at pat@SilkBow.com.

New Grads Don't Have To Settle For Bad Jobs

There is still time for those who will graduate this spring
to prepare themselves to find and get a good job.

New College graduates face unique challenges and
opportunities when it comes to getting that first job. Many
employers, however, want fresh new ideas and employees with
lots of future potential. With 20% of all workers with
college degrees either unemployed or employed in jobs
requiring only high school skills, there is help for the
college grad who doesn't want to settle for a job in which
they are undervalued and under-challenged.

Our experience in working with new graduates has
consistently reinforced our belief that the most important
skills needed are in interviewing. Knowing how to approach
an interview, how to anticipate and respond to difficult
questions, and knowing how to project confidence in the
interview are the skills most often lacking in new grads.

In the last 10 years we have worked with thousands of job
seekers who face various challenges. Our philosophy is
that life is too short to be stuck in a boring,
unfulfilling, dead-end job. One of the major challenges
for new graduates is to believe it is possible to get an
exciting, fulfilling job that offers opportunity for growth
and advancement. We work with far too many people who are
depressed, bored, and entirely too focused on their jobs.
When we love what we do, work becomes energizing. Just as
boredom and depression on the job will spill over into
one's personal life, so do happiness, energy, and
fulfillment.

People who feel stuck in inappropriate jobs tend to spend
more hours working than people who are happy in their jobs.
One reason for this increase in work hours is low
productivity. A vicious circle results from job misery.
Unhappiness makes us less productive; lower productivity
requires us to work more; working more in a job we hate
makes us unhappy.

Our advice to every graduating senior this year is that
your preparation for your job search and your knowledge of
what you want can help you find the job of your dreams. You
will be successful in landing the perfect job if you can
learn and accept certain critical job-seeking principles:

·You don't have to settle for a job in which you will be
miserable
·Fresh ideas and new insights are valuable assets
·You can go after the job of your dreams
·You can learn to ace the interview
·You can get a job that allows you to maintain balance in
your life

With a positive attitude and preparation around the
following questions, you can find the job of your dreams
and ace the hiring process:

·How do you answer a question about experience when you
have none?
·How do you explain that you want a job you can be
passionate about?
·How do you respond to the statement "everyone begins with
an unsatisfying job"?
·How do you successfully handle the first phone call from
an employer?
·How do you prepare a powerful professional pitch?
·How do you present the best image?
·How do you deliver a solid interview, leaving a positive,
lasting impression?
·How do you stand out from the pack?

Preparation around these and other critical questions can
make the difference between landing your dream job and
getting stuck in a boring job with no future. Why not plan
to land the job of your dreams?


----------------------------------------------------
FiredUP Careers is a career counseling company for
professionals who seek greater fulfillment from their work.
Based upon the belief that "life's too short" to be stuck
in the wrong job, they help people understand who they are,
what they want from their work, and how to balance work
with the rest of their lives. Receive our FREE 'career
death traps' report here => http://www.firedupcareers.com
and visit our blog http://careeradvicetalk.com

Distance Learning: How to Work and Study at the Same Time

Distance learning students seem to enjoy the best of
everything. They get their education without actually
needing to attend classes, and at the same time are able to
keep their jobs and get a paycheck. In fact, this is one of
the more prominent distance learning benefits that attract
many students to make this their choice of education. In
addition to that, distance learning students also gain the
advantage of flexibility where they are able to study at
their own pace without adhering to class schedules.

However, amidst these perks, distance learning requires a
lot of discipline and motivation from students. When we are
juggling between a job and studies, it is very easy to lose
track of our priorities and fail to keep up to mark.
Moreover, distance learning students do not have the
advantage of getting their learning drive renewed whenever
they interact with lecturers or peers in classes.

Therefore, how can distance learning students then overcome
this challenge? The first thing that a student must have is
good time management. Everyone has 24 hours and it is up to
us to utilize our time in the best way possible. Set up a
daily or weekly plan for yourself and ensure that you set
aside time for your studies daily. If you have a family,
let them know about your schedule so that they know when
you should not be disturbed. Divide your time appropriately
between your work, your family and your studies. Of course,
discipline is important here as any schedule will not do
any good if it is not followed.

Getting yourself motivated is also essential towards
distance learning success. One of the ways to do this is to
stay in contact with your classmates. With the internet
today, it is often easy to stay in touch through email,
instant messenger as well as internet phone. Discussing
projects or assignments with your teammates will help you
stay on track and keeps you and your teammates accountable
for one another.

Setting goals and rewarding yourself when you attain them
are great self-motivating habits. Start by drawing a chart
on the milestones that you need to reach in order to
complete your course. Strike out each goal as you complete
them and reward yourself accordingly. There is a certain
satisfaction whenever we see ourselves progressing and this
becomes a motivating force for us to face the next hurdle.

Additionally, it is ever essential for a distance learning
student to set up a quiet place for study away from home
life distractions, such as the television, phone calls or
other family members. Organize an off-limits study area or
lock yourself in a quiet room to ensure optimum focus.
Apart from that, a good chair, a strong table and adequate
space are also essential elements in creating a conducive
environment.

Finally, although distance learning is a great and
effective learning concept, much of its effectiveness is
dependent on the habits and determination of the
individual. The full advantages of distance learning can
only be gained through hard work, discipline and
determination for success.


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Rose M. is the editor of
http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com where you
find answers, information and advice on distance learning
colleges, accredited online degrees and online courses. See
more related information on
http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com/distance-lear
ning-benefits.html