We Debunked The Biggest Myths About Studying Online
Be What You Want to Be with one of Australia’s largest online learning providers.
Despite the fact we spend almost every waking minute of our lives online, there are still a few things that seem strange to do over the internet – like dating (Zoom dates are bad, just admit it) and studying at uni.
Growing up watching movies and hearing stories about “the typical uni experience” means a lot of us simply assumed we’d study on campus when the time came. But online study is now more accessible than ever, meaning there are more myths and misconceptions about it than ever.
To help you figure out if online study is right for you, we’ve debunked some of the most common myths. The good news is you don’t need to give up your dreams of the perfect uni student lifestyle to do it.
#1 You can’t study hands-on courses online
It’s wild to think that you can learn to become an amazing nurse or paramedic if you study online, but it’s absolutely possible.
CQUniversity offers hundreds of courses online, and for those involving hands-on learning, practical components are condensed into in-person intensives – or “residential schools” – running from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the course.
These ultra-targeted sessions are fantastic for getting first-hand experience, says Elliot McPherson, who completed a Bachelor of Nursing both on-campus and online at CQUniversity. “My degree still required hospital practicals and a two- to three-day residential school every semester.”
#2 There’s no support for online students
One of the biggest myths about online study is that you’re left to fend for yourself. And while you are responsible for your own work ethic, there are also lots of support services you can access from wherever you are. At CQUni, online students have access to all the resources and support services that on-campus students have, including mentors, study groups, financial assistance, and library resources.
You’re encouraged to email your lecturers if you have questions and professionals at the Academic Learning Centre will even help you with the structure, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and referencing in your assignments.
Bachelor of Nursing student Jessica Whalley says the student community was especially supportive. “I think CQUni is definitely a friendly community, especially if you post on a forum,” she says. “Everyone’s always going to help you find the right advice or the right path.”
Image: Estée Janssens / Unsplash
#3 Online study is all or nothing
Commencing uni and realising you’re not 100% happy in your degree is totally ok, and it’s also perfectly fine to realise you’re not enjoying the study mode you chose. If that happens, you can often transfer from online study to on-campus study where there’s an in-person offering in your region, because we all need a little flexibility when stuff comes up.
Because of all this *gestures to 2020*, CQUniversity is currently offering all of its courses online, giving you the option to continue online or transfer to on-campus study when face-to-face teaching resumes.
When McPherson’s family moved cities, he was able to continue attending residential schools at another campus without any major disruption to his uni commitments. “I was able to transition so easily,” he said.
#4 You won’t meet anyone
Just because you’re not in a lecture hall surrounded by other students, it doesn’t mean you’re all alone in your degree. You’ll get to know your classmates through things like online forums, live online lectures and tutorials, and residential schools, if they’re required.
Institutions like CQUniversity have been doing distance education forever (okay, 40-ish years) so you know you’re going to get just as good an experience as you would on campus.
“Studying online enables you to invest in yourself right now,” says McPherson. “The biggest difference comes down to flexibility. Online study is able to mould around your current lifestyle so you can study when it suits you.”
Image: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels
#5 You need to wait until next year to apply
That’s a big ol’ nope! At institutions like CQUniversity, you can apply today to study in Term 3, which starts in November. Or you can get a head start on your 2021 study by applying now for courses commencing in Term 1 of March next year. Even better, TAFE and short courses run year-round.
Online study is a great option if you’re interested in doing university in 2020 and 2021 – but it’s worthwhile at any time if you want the flexibility to study from anywhere and manage your own schedule.
All the information you need to apply to study online is on the CQUniversity website. Now there’s nothing holding you back from getting that degree!
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Explore your study options with CQUniversity.
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(Lead image: Brooke Cagle / Unsplash)