Myth: Credits you earn online won't transfer to a physical college.
Depending on whether the online university you attend is regionally credited, you may very well be able to transfer credits to a physical college. Being able to transfer credits is obviously a deal-breaker for many students, so you can believe that every online school does their best to make their credits transferable. If you're worried about transferring credits, talk to a guidance counselor from your online university before enrolling.
Myth: Students don't need to communicate with each other online.
Perhaps the most easily disproved myth about getting an online education is that students don't have to communicate with one another. No matter what school you attend, you'll find that there is a premium placed on student interaction. Whether it's through e-mail, message boards, instant messaging, or even video chats, students and teachers alike are in constant communication online.
Myth: I can cram a semester's worth of work into one night.
Since online courses generally allow you to work at your own pace, some people think they can simply procrastinate till the end of the semester. As any student who's tried this imprudent tactic already knows, it just doesn't work. You can expect to spend the same amount of time on an online course as you would on a traditional course.
Myth: You need to be an expert with computers in order to take classes.
It's unfortunate that many people avoid enrolling in an online school because they don't believe they have the necessary computer skills to succeed. As it turns out, if you're able to read this and sign up for the Higher Education Guide service, then you're more than capable of taking classes online. In fact, just about everyone who knows how to use a computer should be able to be successful online!
Myth: People don't take online degrees seriously
You may have heard the old myth that employers and others don't respect degrees from online universities. While this may have held some truth when an online education was still very new, it's long since been inaccurate. There are literally millions of people who have graduated online now and their degrees are embraced by respected employers across the nation.
Myth: Online courses are easier than traditional courses.
Many new students would probably like to believe that their online classes are easier than their traditional counterparts. They may be in for a rude awakening though. Online universities strive to achieve the same level of difficulty as those offered at a physical location. So don't expect to work any less just because your classes take place over the computer.