Making Higher Education More Accessible Online

Today, more students are pursuing an accessible higher education online than ever before. In fact, according to the BestColleges Online Education Trends Report, 98% of all students surveyed — current students, prospective students, and graduates — said they would recommend online education to others.

For many incoming college freshmen, pursuing an online degree makes practical sense. In doing so, students can minimize the sense of overwhelm that can come with transitioning into an entirely new environment. Rather than navigating a move away from home and navigating campus life, online college gives students the ability to begin their college experience in a more familiar setting while gradually building independence, confidence, and academic momentum.

Starting College Doesn’t Have to Mean Completely Starting Over

For some younger students, going away to a traditional college campus can be a major adjustment that doesn’t always go smoothly. Fortunately, online universities offer a practical, familiar way to begin college while adapting to new responsibilities more gradually.

Location Is No Longer the Barrier It Once Was

One of the many remote learning college benefits that appeals to students is the fact that a school’s location no longer needs to be a barrier to earning a degree there. With flexible degree programs in the USA, students don’t need to physically live near (or on) a college campus to attend school there. Instead, they can learn online from just about anywhere, making a college education more accessible.

Some Students Want a More Gradual Transition Into Adulthood

In addition to better college access for underserved students, online schooling simply offers a more gradual transition into the responsibilities and expectations of adulthood. Rather than having to immediately figure out how to afford a move away from home and navigate campus life, online universities for young students can continue their education without putting themselves under unnecessary pressure immediately after high school.

Online Universities Can Help Students Build Confidence First

Of course, this isn’t to say that every student who starts college online will commit to remote learning exclusively for the rest of their lives. For recent high school graduates, however, starting college in a familiar environment can help to build confidence and readiness as students benefit from having more time to adapt to the expectations and rigor of college.

Students Learn in Different Ways

Because no two students learn in exactly the same way, starting college online from home can be a great way for students to develop their own academic routines, study habits, time management skills, and sense of personal responsibility. From there, they may be better prepared to take on the challenges of living away from home down the road.

Students Don’t Have to Navigate Every Change at Once

Meanwhile, many students simply benefit from having more time to adjust to college-level expectations while remaining connected to the support systems and routines that are most important to them. Rather than being thrown into an entirely new environment on a college campus, navigating the expectations of a higher education with support systems in place can make all the difference in long-term success.

Degree Pathways Built for Students Learning From Home

For students seeking a more manageable transition into higher education, St. Thomas University (STU) Global offers faith-based access to education that’s centered around modern learning needs. Specifically, our undergraduate programs are designed for students who want to continue building academic momentum while learning in a format that fits their unique circumstances.

Undergraduate programs offered through STU Global include:

And with a straightforward admissions process, prospective students can complete their applications in as little as 10 minutes by answering some basic questions and uploading their high school transcripts.

Online Universities Still Help Students Develop Accountability

Despite the more flexible and convenient nature of online coursework, it’s important for students to understand that starting college from home doesn’t mean students avoid responsibility or accountability. In reality, strong universities (like STU Global) still expect students to manage deadlines, participate consistently, and develop the same independent learning habits that are an important part of the in-person college experience as well.

Structure Still Plays a Major Role

Just as in a traditional college program, students in an online degree program are expected to complete assignments, participate in coursework, and stay engaged throughout their programs. This requires online students to develop strong time management skills while learning how to allocate enough time for schoolwork to their busy schedules.

Many students find success scheduling dedicated time for online coursework into their daily schedules, just as they would for any other important obligation.

Support Systems Matter in Online Education

In addition to solid time management skills, online students benefit from a strong support system. This can include immediate family members and friends, but it should also include resources available directly through the school itself. At STU Global, for example, we’re proud to support our online students through such dedicated resources as:

Academic advisors
Engaged and invested faculty members
Online library access
A user-friendly learning management system (LMS)

With the right support systems in place, online students receive the guidance they need to move forward successfully in their academic journeys.

Faith-Based Online Universities Can Provide Stability During the Transition to College

For many younger students and their families, the transition to college feels easier and more manageable when it happens in an educational environment that’s grounded in familiar values and expectations. Specifically, faith-based universities like STU Global can provide a more purpose-driven learning experience while offering the flexibility and convenience many students need as they embark on the journey to higher education.

Shared Values Can Create Stability During Major Transitions

At STU Global, we believe that students shouldn’t have to choose between flexibility and a values-centered education. When programs are intentionally designed to help students become ethical leaders in a global community, faith-based online learning can provide students with the stability, familiarity, and support they need during what is likely to be a period of major transition in their lives.

A Different Kind of Educational Environment

Meanwhile, faith-based online universities like STU Global offer a more grounded, purpose-driven approach to learning for students who are seeking an alternative to the “traditional” college experience. As a Catholic university, STU Global aims to engage ever-widening circles of relationship and responsibility, teaching intellectual and practical skills while building personal, social, spiritual, and ecological relationships that make values visible in the wider culture.

College Doesn’t Have to Begin With a Massive Life Change

The transition to a traditional college experience can be overwhelming for some students, setting them up for unnecessary financial and emotional stress during a critical period of their lives. By beginning college from home, students may be able to enjoy a smoother and more manageable transition into a higher education. By building academic skills and personal independence without the forced timeline of an on-campus experience, students can set themselves up for greater chances of long-term success.

STU Supports Students at Every Step of the Academic Journey

For students seeking education access without relocation as they navigate college for the first time, STU Global is proud to offer a wide range of programs in fields that range from management and finance to marketing and beyond. Plus, with online university admissions flexibility, students can choose from multiple convenient start dates to suit their needs.

With career-ready coursework, hands-on experiences, and asynchronous learning opportunities, students in our online degree programs can truly work at their own pace while developing the skills that matter most in their respective fields. And, of course, students enjoy plenty of support and access to resources every step of the way.

Get in touch to request more information about any of STU Global’s online undergraduate programs or admissions process. Ready to take the next step? You can get started with your free online application now! If you have questions or concerns about paying for your education, you can also check out our financial aid application page.

Sources

https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/annual-trends-in-online-education/

https://www.stu.edu/library/

https://www.stu.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/

https://www.stu.edu/financial-aid/

https://www.stu.edu/about-stu/catholic-identity/

https://www.stu.edu/program/bba/business-management-online/

https://www.stu.edu/program/bba/marketing-management-online/

https://www.stu.edu/program/bba/finance-online/

https://www.stu.edu/program/bba/sports-administration-online/

https://www.stu.edu/program/ba/organizational-leadership-online/