How to Take Control of Your Education

As an adult, going back to school is a big decision. Where would you even find the time for classes and homework? Online education can allow you to keep pursuing your goals on your timeline – without forcing you to decide which comes first: family, work, or school. But besides allowing you to fit classes into your schedule, online education comes with another benefit: you’re in charge of your education from day one.

What does it mean to take control of your education

Taking control of your education means having the ability to choose how and when you study, what you learn, and how long it takes you to learn it. When you’re studying to prepare for a new career or a promotion at work, you want to make sure that what you’re studying is going to actually be useful and help you reach your goals. In the traditional college system, however, you have less control over what and how you’re learning.

While a traditional school may allow you to choose your classes each semester, you still have to stick to preset schedules and complete assignments in the timeframe assigned by an instructor. At Ashworth, however, your classes are all self-paced, meaning you can choose when and where you study, take exams, and complete assignments.

What happens when students control their own education

When you believe you’re in control of what happens in your classes – whether you fail or pass an exam – you're more likely to be successful. That’s because you know that what you do, or don’t do, has a direct impact on your outcome and you’re motivated to work hard to accomplish your goals.

If you don’t have a sense of control over your education, you’re more likely to believe that your outcomes are almost predetermined. For example, you failed a math test because you’re bad at math and there’s nothing you can do about it. On the other hand, if you believe you have control over the factors that contribute to your success or failure, you know that, even if you’re not the best at math, you can study hard and spend more time learning in order to pass an exam.

Students who believe they have control over their learning outcomes are more likely to be persistent, motivated, willing to take on challenges, and able to view failure as a temporary thing that can be fixed.

How do you manage your own learning

To make the most of being in control of your education, you want to make sure that you have strong study strategies and time management skills. Since you decide when and how you study for your classes and tests, developing good habits can help you stay on track and succeed in your course. Some ideas for managing your own learning include

• Setting a schedule. A study schedule can help you make time for your classes and stay on top of your education. It also allows you to fit your schoolwork into your already busy schedule. Allow for flexibility and days off so you don’t get overwhelmed or burnt out from a too packed schedule.
• Creating reasonable goals. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure by having unrealistic goals. The benefit of online classes is that you can learn at the pace that works best for you and your life. That means you have time to set reasonable goals. If you have a very busy schedule, taking five tests a week isn’t necessarily going to work for you and it can be demotivating when you don’t reach that goal. Instead, consider a smaller, easier-to-achieve goal like taking and passing two exams per week.
• Asking for help. Since you’re in charge of your education, you may think that you’re on your own. However, knowing when to ask for help is important to making sure you have all the resources you need to succeed.

Learn your way with Ashworth College

Through the flexible, online programs offered by Ashworth College, you can prepare for a new career your way. You’re in control of when you study, take exams, and complete assignments. With no due dates or scheduled class times, you set the pace for your education. To learn more about Ashworth’s online programs or get started, reach out to our expert Admissions Specialists at 1-800-957-5412!