
Depending on your career path, continuing education credits might be required to remain in good standing with the regulatory body that governs your profession.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean having to upset your schedule to attend classes in person. Whether because of work, family, or other commitments, you might find it hard to fit in-class studies into your busy schedule. Rather than burning both ends of the candle and stretching yourself too thin, you can do online learning to get what you want.
According to one source, the e-learning market is on pace to reach a valuation of $1 trillion by 2032. It’s an increasingly popular option that caught fire during the pandemic when efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus led to stay-at-home orders. That meant people had to do their studies remotely. While the pandemic is over, the interest in online, distance, or e-learning hasn’t waned. And there’s plenty of runway ahead.
Here are five benefits of earning continuing education units (CEUs) online rather than in classrooms.
1. You Can Pursue It Without Taking Time Off Work
Whether you work a regular 9 to 5 in the workplace or the home office, it can be hard to find time to continue your education at a post-secondary school campus. People tend to be stressed out as it is with their work schedules, but adding further commitments can make for a dicier situation. While studying from home will take a commitment, you’ll find it easier than going to a brick-and-mortar building. You can fit your schooling around your job rather than vice-versa.
Unless you fancy the idea of leaving work and heading to a college campus for continuing education credits, the ability to learn online from anywhere will be a bonus. You can take whatever courses you need without the education process interfering with your job.
2. You Can Learn Where You’re Most Comfortable
If you enjoy online learning or remote work, you might be surprised to know that some people prefer to be in a physical classroom or workplace. For them, learning or working remotely is undesirable. They like the human contact. Even so, more and more people are going with remote learning and working. It allows for greater flexibility without jeopardizing the learning process.
Are you the type of person who would much rather learn online from the comfort of your living room sofa, kitchen table, or home office than in a classroom halfway across town? If so, online learning is likely something you’ll gravitate toward. You might prefer to earn your CEUs at home rather than in a classroom filled with students who might distract you. Online CEUs could be exactly what you need if in-class learning isn’t a good fit for you.
3. You Can Watch It Again and Again
Another benefit of online CEUs is that you’ll have the option of rewatching it if need be. When taking classes in person, you’ll have to rely on your note-taking skills. But when taking it online, you can rewatch it later.
It can be a game-changer if you want the ability to review the online classes in greater detail.
4. You Can Fit Education Around Family Time
Most Americans seem to have their priorities correct as far as family time. Pew Research Center says 73% say spending time with loved ones is a top priority — whether or not they actually spend as much time with family as they ought to.
Taking online CEUs is one way you can safeguard family time. Just like you can plan your studies around your job, you can plan your studies around your family time.
Studying online means you can work on your CEUs whenever you like. It might be more convenient to take classes late at night when the family is asleep or early in the morning before everyone wakes up. Online CEU options mean you can set your schedule the way you want.
These are some of the benefits of online CEUs. If you need to take one or more of them, consider the online option if you need flexibility. It can make it easier to set aside time to further your education and advance in your career.