Aug 16, 2016 09:23 AM EDT By Emily Marks, UniversityHerald Reporter

Online education has provided a more convenient and flexible way for students to learn. There are definitely a lot of advantages that come with this type of progam.

While online colleges are more convenient and flexible, it also requires a lot of self-discipline. Being intrinsically motivated is very important since there are online schools that allow students to complete their coursework according to their own schedules.

It is a common notion that online education is only useful for working adults who want to finish their degrees. However, high school graduates can actually gain a lot from enrolling in an online college. One benefit is that online students can gain valuable working experience and education at the same time.

U.S. News shared four tips on how students enrolled in an online education program can balance their work and studies.

1. Identify how much time you can afford to spend in the online course.

As mentioned above, online education programs may be more flexible but students still need to be able to meet the requirements needed for their online courses as well as their job responsibilities.

2. Be realistic.

Don't overestimate. Online students who are working full-time jobs should not expect to be able to jump right into their classwork immediately after arriving home. It's best to assume that each course would be more demanding than you anticipate. Err on the side of caution in finding the right balance between your online education and your career.

3. Talk to your employer.

Be honest and transparent about your aspirations. It's not only you whose making yourself more valuable to your company - your employer also benefits when you finish a degree online. Your employer may also be able to give you more flexibility in terms of your schedule to accommodate your studies.

4. Gain practical experience immediately.

Online students have the privilege of applying what they've learned in school immediately to their current jobs. This is very helpful since it would help students truly understand the concepts and ideas that they're learning through practical experience.

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