How to Make the Most of COVID-19 Downtime for Advancing Your Higher Education

The economic repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic have been profound, impacting financial markets and vulnerable industries. With businesses slowing down and job losses increasing, this period presents a unique opportunity to invest in education. Utilizing this time to pursue an online degree, diploma, or short course can significantly enhance skills and fortify one's resume, potentially leading to increased wages and more stable employment.

Here's what you can do:

Choose your area of study: Start by pinpointing the field you wish to study, aiming for skills and credentials that will advance your current career or facilitate a return to the workforce. Amidst the looming possibility of a global recession, certain jobs are more resilient than others. Whether seeking a career change or assessing your industry's stability, seek guidance from mentors and advisors to align your aspirations with the current economic climate.

Select an education provider: The landscape of higher education has evolved with technology, offering degrees through brick-and-mortar universities, online institutions, or private providers. The key is to select a reputable, reliable provider offering courses within your budget and area of interest. Consider evaluating the quality of teaching infrastructure, faculty expertise, and support available in online learning platforms.

Explore study options: Some courses acknowledge prior learning and work experience, enabling quicker course completion and cost reduction. Exploring alternative entry paths, like accelerated diploma programs leading to the final year of a degree, can significantly lower education expenses by almost 50%.

Online courses not only offer job-specific skills but also marketable abilities crucial for re-entering the workforce post-pandemic. Success in this endeavor largely depends on your ability to effectively market yourself, and an online course taken during this downtime equips you with precisely that skill.

Pandemic or not, online learning suits the information-age population with technology-centric lifestyles. It offers flexibility in study schedules and methods, making minimal compromises. Embracing online education during a global lockdown amid a potential recession presents a fitting opportunity to explore this learning avenue.

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