Do you have what it takes to go to high school online? It is not for the faint of heart or the weak of spirit. It will be just as demanding, actually more demanding, than traditional high schools.
If I have not scared you off, here are six points that you need to reconcile before you make the attempt to be an online high school student:
1. Being an online high school student is at least as difficult as being a traditional student and most find it more difficult. There are a number of reasons for this including you needing to be the primary motivator to get the work done (as opposed to the teacher).
2. You need to choose the right model for you. If you know that you will need extra time to complete courses, do not choose a program that is semester-based. If you know that you need set deadlines in order to complete work, do not choose a program that has open-ended or far in the future deadlines.
3. Choose a collaborative arrangement that works for you. If you work best in isolation, do not choose a program that requires group work. If you need the support of other students, do not choose a program that is primarily independent study.
4. Choose a program that uses the type of media which works for you. If you need audio and video files, find the programs that offer those resources.
5. If you are an adult and want to be in a program that focuses on adults, choose one. If you are a teen and do not want to be "in class" with adults, select a program that only allows the under-18 crowd.
6. Commit to doing the work. The #1 reason for students failing to complete a program is a lack of commitment. You can do it. You need to decide that you will do it.
Online learning can work at the high school level, but you must go in with your eyes wide open. Understand your limitations, understand the limitations of learning online, and understand the limitations of the specific program.
Thomas Nixon is the author of Complete Guide to Online High Schools. In it, he details how to earn a high school diploma online. The companion website, BestOnlineHighSchools.com, is the premier source of information on online high schools. Tom is also the manager of the college support website, CollegeAdvocates.com. His website is ThomasNixon.com.
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