Your Learning Style
Learning from a distance requires discipline and commitment. Although the electronic classroom is a dynamic tool capable of engendering powerful feelings of identity and belonging, the experience is still a far cry from meeting in a classroom with fellow students. You must regularly set aside the time to do the work, which may require at least six to nine hours per week in addition to three to five hours of weekly log-on time. Are you the kind of person who adheres to schedules? Do you need to be physically in the same place as other students and faculty? Will you do the work without anyone there to push and motivate you?

Some students have difficulty adjusting to the anonymity of the virtual classroom and find the physical presence of other students, and especially faculty, essential. On the other hand, if you like to write and express your thoughts, online learning may be ideal for you. (As a quick test, are you someone who can exercise at home with a workout video, or do you need to go to the gym and have a class and instructor to motivate you?)

Your Comfort with Technology
You don't have to be a computer whiz to excel in distance learning, but you do have to feel comfortable with technology and have access to the appropriate equipment. And even with the best equipment, things will still go wrong. When this happens, you need to get help. Are you patient and methodical enough to contact the appropriate resources? This could include the college help desk, your Internet provider, and even the company that manufactured your computer. You might have to end up doing some troubleshooting yourself. Even though help is usually just a phone call away, it never hurts to be self-reliant and a little more panic-proof than the average person. If you are still unsure of your computer skills, don't worry; by the end of a single semester of online study you will have improved skills as well as the self-confidence that comes from meeting new challenges head-on.

The Support Level of Your Environment
Adult students with family and/or work responsibilities need to juggle their workloads effectively in order to make time for studying. A supportive family environment is essential. Families need to be flexible when Mom or Dad, husband or wife is on deadline for a term paper or studying for an important midterm. Adult students experience enough self-doubt; what they need from those around them are comfort and sometimes a little push in the right direction. Be sure to share your educational goals with the people you're closest to; you will need them throughout the process.

Your Time Frame
Remember the old phrase, "Slow and steady wins the race"? It's definitely true when it comes to education. You might feel that you've already delayed your decision too long and are eager to make up for lost time. But, hold on. Experience shows that even a single course is a heavy load for adult students who have been away from college for any length of time, and two courses should be the maximum for those who are working. Students who unrealistically overload on courses do not do as well as they could have with a lighter schedule. On the other hand, if you are on leave from work and have the rest of your life well in hand, you may be able to push the envelope with a third course. Just make sure to check your school's refund/cancellation policy in case you change your mind and want to scale back once the term has begun.

Going to school as an adult is fun. It is a chance to bring your maturity and hard-earned practical experience into a rigorous intellectual environment. An academic credential will also unlock doors for you as you continue to pursue a career. The Internet provides opportunities and choices unheard-of as recently as a decade ago. It makes sense to investigate distance learning as a possible learning option. This year, approximately 60,000 electronic college courses will be scheduled in the United States alone. With a little searching, there's an excellent chance you'll find a program that's ideal for you. Best of luck as you begin (or continue) your journey toward a degree or certificate. Education remains one of the best investments you can make in your future.

This article was excerpted from Complete Book of Distance Learning Schools by Dr. Jerry Ice and Dr. Paul Edelson