As an online student, much of your success hinges on your writing and research skills. If you can’t express your strongest arguments through your writing, you may feel you’re headed for disaster. That’s one reason why it’s so easy to experience stress when it comes time to prepare your thesis.

There was a time when books were expensive and rare. At the dawn of the modern age, a novel solution emerged: rather than force students to purchase books, educators would use their voice to deliver the same information. Higher education professors began to give lectures to large groups of students, all at the same time. Sometimes these lectures involved elaborate demonstrations, as when a Dutch doctor gave this infamous anatomy lesson.

Online students rarely get an opportunity to meet in person, but that does not mean strong relationships cannot be built in the online classroom. Starting in the first few weeks of school, when you log in and see the same familiar names reading and commenting on your discussion posts, you will start to feel a connection. The weekly discussions force online learners to reveal more about themselves. As many of your classmates are adult learners with years of professional experience, you will find two (or three, or four) heads are better than one when navigating the online format.

Applying for jobs can be an overwhelming process. Scouring job listings, making resume updates, drafting personalized cover letters, coordinating references – it’s a job in and of itself! However, even when your initial hard work pays off and you land that interview opportunity, the effort doesn’t stop there.

As far as essential and honorable careers go, journalism ranks high on the list. Many who enter the field aren’t driven by fame and fortune – life as a reporter isn’t as glamorous as Hollywood may have you believe. Instead, journalists tend to have a passion for promoting truth, awareness, accountability, and engagement within their communities and the world at large. That said, the field of journalism is only as noble as its individual outlets and practitioners. For that reason, establishing and maintaining a personal and professional code of ethics is essential for journalists.

Studying. It may not be everyone's favorite activity, but most students would agree that it's critical for anyone who's dedicated to making the most of their education. Not only that, experience tends to show that the more demanding the subject, the more a student can gain by making studying a priority. In short, when the stakes are high, good study habits can make a huge difference.

For many students, particularly non-traditional students, college coursework is only one important aspect of their lives. Even as academic intensity increases, work, family, and other obligations continue apace. However, attending an online college has many tangible and intangible benefits that make juggling school and home life more manageable. Flexible schedules, state-of-the-art technology, and individualized instruction are just some of the many things that make pursuing a degree as an adult possible. 

The old media institutions of television and newspaper have seen their once-loyal audiences fractured by the Internet, and the job market for newsroom-based positions has declined. What does today’s journalist need to know? How can students who have added a journalism emphasis to their degree program prepare themselves for what's to come? It’s a mix of new skills and traditional tools.