by Mark Butler

Created on: December 15, 2009

It used to be that going to college meant going away and spending four years or more learning before you could enter the work force with the advantage that the degree conferred.  Then came night school and while you could get the degree by going to school at night it meant extra commuting costs, extra meals outside the home and many  years of study before the degree was earned. 

Then the academic learned how to use the internet and doing college at home became a reality! At a few select schools distance learning had already been taking place via correspondence but now the floodgates were open to all! 

The advantages of attending college from home are many and we'll review them here so you can decide if distance learning and attending college from home is for you or not.

1. The number one benefit of distance learning is the incredible flexibility that it offers the motivated adult learner. You can schedule your time to go over class material on the schedule that is best for you and at the time that offers the most convenience.  Some people mistakenly think distance learning is self-paced but this is not the case.   Many schools and professors have schedules and deadlines that must be met but you do have the ability to determine how best to meet the requirements set for you. One aspect of flexibility that is especially valuable is the ability to travel on business and still be able to take college courses! There are military personnel who are serving in remote locations and even in combat zones who are taking college courses and earning their degree in preparation of when they become a civilian again

2. Another great benefit of on-line classes is that they greatly improve accessibility! While the traditional view on this has been that it can allow those people with physical disabilities to attend colleges, it also helps older people who may have problems with driving longer distances or at night. The access to colleges that are not in the immediate area is also another way that online and distance learning improves accessibility. Now you don't have to be located near the college in order to attend the college!  You can attend from the comfort of your own home!  This also benefits returning veterans and anyone else who may be suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and an online class will help ease them into college and help them adjust by keeping things orderly and giving them a sense of control.

3. Attending

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