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Oct 01, 2015
Is online learning right for you
I am going to let you in on a little secret. Despite what most GMAT prep sites will tell you, online learning is not the right fit for everyone. The reason that I am telling you this is than WYZprep was designed from its inception to provide not only the very best prep materials available, but also the best environment for you to learn. While I firmly believe that there is no better online resource for GMAT content that WYZprep, it would be a disingenuous disservice for me to say that online learning is the best approach for everyone. None of this is to say that online test materials are ineffective or that a traditional classroom setting is universally the best atmosphere. Online test prep works, but the real question is how do you know if it is right for you?
Have you tried online learning before?
I would hazard a guess that at some point in your academic career you took a class online. This is probably your best litmus test to tell how well online learning works for you. Did you excel in this environment or did the limitations of a virtual classroom hold you back?
If you have never taken an online class before, that is okay. Think back to a time when you learned about a complex topic or skill online. Did it come naturally?
What does your schedule look like?
Life gets busy and despite your best efforts to clear off time to study for the GMAT, there are undoubtedly other things on your plate. Balancing your life with your studies is a tricky task and one which deserves serious consideration. One problem with physical classrooms is that they are not very flexible with their scheduling and making class consistently can be nigh on impossible for many with busy schedules. The good news is that online learning provides content around the clock whenever and wherever you need it.
What is your personality like?
For me, the biggest downside of online learning is that it is more difficult to ask questions. Yes, you can write to us in the comments section below out articles, but admittedly nothing beats the immediate interaction of having an instructor call on you. This said, you will have to make yourself accountable for looking up information that you are struggling with. Fortunately, the information is out there, however it can be difficult to find precisely what you are looking for. In my experience, online learning works very well for the naturally curious and for those who are very self-accountable. Be honest with yourself, if you are intimidated by the prospect of searching out content on your own, you may want to consider other avenues.
When will online learning not work?
Studying for the GMAT in an online setting demands just as much time and effort as sitting in a classroom for hours on end. There are two major hurdles that will spoil your online efforts.
Cramming:
I have written about the ineffectiveness of cramming before, but I will give you the condensed version here. Cramming for the GMAT is counterproductive and a surefire way to fail the test. You need to give yourself time to properly study and although online learning allows you to be more flexible with your time, you still need to give yourself plenty of it.
Trying to bite off too much at once:
There is a lot of information about the GMAT online, but you do not need to read every article to do well. I’ve seen people try to do this before. They study for hours on end day after day to try to get every last detail in their heads. While cramming involves trying to retain too much information in a short time period, this involves trying to consume too much information over a long time period. There is no reason to force yourself to study for 12 hours straight. You will only burn yourself out and possibly go insane in the pursuit.
Online learning has a lot to offer. It is convenient, effective, and accommodating. However, it is not for everyone. Some people do better in a classroom setting and that is fine. Additionally, there is no reason why you cannot try a combination of online prep and traditional prep courses. The most important thing is to find what works for you. If you decide that online materials are the right path for you, then you are in the right place. WYZprep is ready to help you propel yourself into your dream school.
Have you tried online learning before?
I would hazard a guess that at some point in your academic career you took a class online. This is probably your best litmus test to tell how well online learning works for you. Did you excel in this environment or did the limitations of a virtual classroom hold you back?
If you have never taken an online class before, that is okay. Think back to a time when you learned about a complex topic or skill online. Did it come naturally?
What does your schedule look like?
Life gets busy and despite your best efforts to clear off time to study for the GMAT, there are undoubtedly other things on your plate. Balancing your life with your studies is a tricky task and one which deserves serious consideration. One problem with physical classrooms is that they are not very flexible with their scheduling and making class consistently can be nigh on impossible for many with busy schedules. The good news is that online learning provides content around the clock whenever and wherever you need it.
What is your personality like?
For me, the biggest downside of online learning is that it is more difficult to ask questions. Yes, you can write to us in the comments section below out articles, but admittedly nothing beats the immediate interaction of having an instructor call on you. This said, you will have to make yourself accountable for looking up information that you are struggling with. Fortunately, the information is out there, however it can be difficult to find precisely what you are looking for. In my experience, online learning works very well for the naturally curious and for those who are very self-accountable. Be honest with yourself, if you are intimidated by the prospect of searching out content on your own, you may want to consider other avenues.
When will online learning not work?
Studying for the GMAT in an online setting demands just as much time and effort as sitting in a classroom for hours on end. There are two major hurdles that will spoil your online efforts.
Cramming:
I have written about the ineffectiveness of cramming before, but I will give you the condensed version here. Cramming for the GMAT is counterproductive and a surefire way to fail the test. You need to give yourself time to properly study and although online learning allows you to be more flexible with your time, you still need to give yourself plenty of it.
Trying to bite off too much at once:
There is a lot of information about the GMAT online, but you do not need to read every article to do well. I’ve seen people try to do this before. They study for hours on end day after day to try to get every last detail in their heads. While cramming involves trying to retain too much information in a short time period, this involves trying to consume too much information over a long time period. There is no reason to force yourself to study for 12 hours straight. You will only burn yourself out and possibly go insane in the pursuit.
Online learning has a lot to offer. It is convenient, effective, and accommodating. However, it is not for everyone. Some people do better in a classroom setting and that is fine. Additionally, there is no reason why you cannot try a combination of online prep and traditional prep courses. The most important thing is to find what works for you. If you decide that online materials are the right path for you, then you are in the right place. WYZprep is ready to help you propel yourself into your dream school.
