Distance learning certainly has its perks. But just the same, online students need to find all the help they can get to meet course requirements and complete school tasks. For a new student, in particular, navigating the waters of online learning can be tricky. The tedious and tough tasks of research and writing await them. Some new students may also try to weigh in on scholarship opportunities or other online school options. Others simply need actionable how-to tips to survive to be an online college student.
As it is now possible to obtain a degree through online means, online educational resources are also currently in high demand. Whether paid or free, these resources come in various forms and types to zero in on students’ interests and keep them focused on their goals. They are not only readily available and helpful; they offer online students ideas and strategies for better learning or to deal with college life in general.
In an aim to help new online college students, we have put together 26 of the most useful online resources.
QUICK LINKS
- College Cliffs
- Online-Bachelor-Degrees.com
- Cappex
- Fastweb
- Unigo
- College Confidential
- Niche
- EdX
- Internships.com
- College Navigator
- Chegg
- Saylor
- Peterson’s
- Coursera
- UReddit (University of Reddit)
- TED Talks
- Khan Academy
- Alison
- Open Culture
- Getting Smart
- Study Guide Zone
- KnowledgeNet
- Rapid E-Learning Blog (Articulate Network)
- Atrixware E-Learning Solutions Blog
- WizIQ
- Curriculumbits.com
College Cliffs
College Cliffs is your go-to site for reputable online college programs. It provides invaluable information for choosing the program that best matches your interests and skills. College Cliffs also aims to guide students in making the right decisions in terms of their career path. Apart from a collection of articles offering strategies to prepare for online college, it also provides loads of “survival kit” topics so you don’t only make the right choices; you also have access to the essential guidelines.
A quick and comprehensive online reference guide, CollegeCliffs.com also lists colleges and universities in every state. The higher education institutions are featured on a regular basis to highlight the programs they offer.
Online-Bachelor-Degrees.com
Online-Bachelor-Degrees.com offers up-to-date information for those who want to pursue online learning or distance education. It also features top colleges and universities and their online courses and programs. If you’re trying to manage work, academic life, and family at the same time, this site is a convenient resource. It features interesting and useful tips for students who juggle work and online college life. Colleges and universities are also ranked according to the availability of programs and courses, and their unique features and services.
Cappex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffgrzttQATU
Cappex allows you to search for merit-based scholarships to help you get through financial challenges in college. If you’re looking for help in deciding on the online program that works for your schedule and interests, Cappex also has the answer. It features tools that let you compare online colleges in terms of programs and courses offered. There are also informative reviews on various campuses in the state as well as strategies to help you make it in your dream schools.
Fastweb
Fastweb aims to help college students navigate the complexities of obtaining financial aid, such as through scholarships offered both for university students and online learners. You set up an account to get started, answer a few questions, input some information, and find the right match from a list of loan options. The site also includes relevant articles on internship opportunities and career planning.
Unigo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLaxgMQSJ-M
One of the premiere websites offering guidance and opportunities for aid to incoming online college freshmen and students is Unigo. There is statistical data on scholarship opportunities, student deals, and college loans are also are featured on the site, alongside articles on college life and campus organizations. It has a contemporary look that ranks, compares, and reviews online programs and universities based on location, student reviews, and feedback. There is also a range of helpful tools for college admissions and managing finances in multimedia and written forms.
College Confidential
One of the primary goals of College Confidential is to aid students in searching for suitable colleges and universities for their career objectives. This includes online programs, as well. There is a search tool to help you find the right online college of your choice based on social atmosphere, degrees and programs, features, and other services. If you’re looking for articles that discuss college admissions, advice from experts, career opportunities, and community awareness, College Confidential is for you. There is also a community forum where students, mentors, alumni, and parents provide each other support and exchange opinions.
Niche
Niche houses numerous statistics, student reviews, and articles regarding college life in general. Based on student feedback and reviews, schools and online programs are featured on the site. There are loads of information and tools for finding the right degrees and programs. A unique feature of Niche is that the site itself helps to contact the schools that match your needs and interests. Comprehensive yet simple report cards, reviews, and rankings are also included in the site in order for students to select the most appropriate schools for them.
EdX
Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed one of the most popular international websites known as EdX. It is an online resource that offers state-of-the-art courses from international academic institutions to every student in any part of the world. EdX is considered a free website for students who desire basic or added knowledge and skills. EdX also comes with online tools that help students handle experiments and learn significant lessons with ease.
Internships.com
Internships are considered great opportunities for college students to gain job experience first-hand. Internships.com specifically focuses on matching employers and students so that the former boosts their internship programs and find potential employees while the latter earns additional credits and meets course requirements. The website integrates a simple internship search tool that matches your degree and location with companies that hire interns.
College Navigator
College Navigator is used for searching relevant information regarding any university or online college program. All options are categorized according to area code and state and filtered by degree level and type of college. College Navigator was a website established as part of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the US Department of Education. IES through College Navigator aims to orient students with updated educational information using reports, videos, infographics, mentor practice guides, as well as summaries and reviews of accomplished assessment projects.
Chegg
Chegg is a reliable online resource that facilitates ease of learning for college students. It allows them to obtain 24/7 support and help in their studies through online tutorial services, study help tools, and solution manuals. It has a comprehensive guide for preparing for major exams. Students can also check out Chegg to find scholarships, course reviews, or rent textbooks that cost a lot less than buying them. Generally, it is a multi-purpose academic hub.
Saylor
The Saylor Foundation or Saylor Academy is an online resource that provides a variety of free, online courses for college students. It has a roster of free classes for numerous subjects and topics. The goal of this site is to orient students with basic knowledge on certain topics and provide supplementary information convenient to their schedule and learning pace. Virtual certificates of completion can be earned through a catalog of regular and low-cost degree programs and courses offered on this site. Tuition-free college credits can also be gained through its accredited partner schools.
Peterson’s
Another online resource that presents significant information regarding application timelines and organizational strategies for college is Peterson’s. It is a website that enables students to locate for over 50,000 accredited colleges and universities–both online and brick-and-mortar institutions–that match their skills and preference. Helpful articles also provide effective strategies in selecting the right school, college admissions, scholarships, and financial aid through student loans. The website also suggests potential colleges and universities fit for your skills.
Coursera
Coursera is considered one of the most essential online resources where students can search for free courses from reputable colleges and universities. The site is useful for college students who aim to broaden their knowledge on specific topics and subjects. Partnering with organizations, institutions and universities, Coursera’s wide range of courses encompass multimedia lectures, peer-reviewed homework, and community forums. College students can also earn low-cost online degree programs in the areas of computer science, data science, and business. College graduates can also consider specializations and earn a master’s degree through Coursera’s online roster of affordable but challenging courses and practical projects in the field of business.
UReddit (University of Reddit)
UReddit is an academic platform with a collection of courses, supplementary resources, and lessons for college students focusing on different areas of study. All lessons are personalized to match each student’s skills. The site also allows students to choose the lessons according to their preferred teaching style and pace in order to master the lessons efficiently. This means the programs featured covers both conventional and online learning.
TED Talks
TED Talks is one of the reputable online resources that post multimedia content featuring industry leaders conducting educational and motivational talks. The site constantly presents relevant ideas and topics through its series of videos. TED Talks also features educational conferences, translators, audio books, projects, partnership programs, and podcasts.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is an online resource that provides free online classes, lessons, and strategies for exam preparations. It also includes practice tests, relevant instructional videos, and a customized learning dashboard to encourage students to learn at their own pace online. Highly reputable, Khan Academy partners with NASA, The California Academy of Sciences, MIT, and The Museum of Modern Art.
Alison
Another website that offers free, competent classes is Alison.com. It features online tools that allow college students to pick free courses and become bona fide learners by earning their certificates. Alison also has an excellent Advanced Diploma in Workforce Re-entry Skills program that teaches basic skills for future employment. One of the goals of Alison.com is to help isolated communities and incarcerated individuals become part of the workforce through educational support and assistance.
Open Culture
Open Culture is a dynamic website that provides excellent multicultural and scholastic media content for the global college community. Over 1,300 free online courses offered by competent universities are offered through this platform. It is home to significant content regarding interesting topics, such as literature and history. It features free online movies, audiobooks, e-books, and other educational resources. Open Culture reaches out to every student through free classes on various languages worldwide.
Getting Smart
Getting Smart is an online platform that provides tips and strategies for effective learning and studying. It also provides significant coaching services to enhance the learning process of students in conventional and online colleges. To offer no less than the most updated college options and learning strategies, Getting Smart maintains partnerships with prestigious foundations, institutions, and educational organizations.
Study Guide Zone
Study Guide Zone is an online resource fit for students who are finding ways to attain high scores on standardized exams. It features practice exercises to facilitate ease of preparation for ACT, GED, and SAT. It helps students be properly oriented and prepared for taking comprehensive tests to ultimately help with college admission.
KnowledgeNet
Another website that provides relevant materials to aid in understanding Information Technology (IT) – related courses is KnowledgeNet. It features live classes with competent instructors, on-demand classes, live laboratories, reliable student resources, certification practice tests, competent mentoring and a general library for enhanced learning.
Rapid E-Learning Blog (Articulate Network)
The Rapid E-Learning Blog is an online platform that provides useful tips and strategies for students who want to become experts in e-learning. The discussions, as well as interactive lessons on the website, are particularly useful to students who seek to become professionals in visual and graphic design or technological development.
Atrixware E-Learning Solutions Blog
A great online e-learning resource is the blog by Atrixware, a company that specializes in management systems that focus on the fields of technology and web development. On it, students can create professional-grade online presentations. It also features essential e-learning tools for effective comprehension and application of tech skills.
WizIQ
Another online platform for training and teaching is WizIQ. It empowers students through self-paced learning using state-of-the-art online tools. There is an online test creator that lets you create practice exams and assessments. It offers 24/7 online support, mobile learning, video streaming, content authorization, and course management. One of its unique features is the virtual classroom.
Curriculumbits.com
Curriculumbits.com features dynamic and multimedia open-source learning materials that are readily available online. It comes with a comprehensive resource library complete with quizzes, animations, video presentations, and interactive games on various subjects.
