"Make Sure To Cover Your Butt...
what surprised me about the online program is that certain details of the loan were not disclosed to me to understand them completely." (hospital office admin; 2014)
"Helpful Teachers...
I was surprised that the teachers respond very quickly and are very helpful. I asked questions and they would quickly respond and it was easy for me to understand the answer." (Advanced hospital coding and ccs prep; 2013)
"Online Instruction Is Not The Same As In Class Instruction...
Online classes were very convenient; however, too hard! Didn't have the important lecture that you would normally get in-class with the professor. In all areas of concentration that involved technology, there were some obsolete information that was a waste of time to even learn. Felt very overwhelmed and spent hours weekly organizing study notes for every detail in the book. The test were timed to shortly and I feel that not every student including my self is a cheater and really could use the extra time to fully comprehend the questions that are worded different from the text book." (Medical coder; 2014)
"More Rigorous Than I Thought...
I was really surprised at the amount of work that my online classes had. The workload was much more rigorous than it would be in a traditional classroom setting. However, I was surprised to know that I learned a lot more, got much better individual attention from my teachers, and really bonded more with my classmates." (Health Information Technician (registered); 2013)
"More Freedom Than I Thought...
I was surprised of how much freedom the online education provided. For example, I was able to study anytime I wanted. I also was able to decide, before a particular date, when I wanted to take tests, which was a blessing because I chose the time of day that I was most alert. This helped me obtain and keep a 4.0 GPA during my entire online education." (Medical Biller and Coder; 2014)
"Great Communication...
I was surprised at how well the online school communicated with its' students. The school really wanted everyone to succeed and instructors would offer time outside of the normal hours to help communicate and teach the subjects." (Medical Billing; 2013)
"A Very Personal Touch...
I was very surprised at the personal touched that I received from start to finish. No matter who I contacted, financial aid or an instructor, I was always talked to with respect and my questions were always fully answered right away." (Medical Biller; 2013)
"A Lot Harder Than I Thought...
I was surprised how easy it was to do the course on my own time and not have to have a scheduled class. I found it hard to finish the homework on time since there was always so much to do. I felt like that online courses are more challenging than in a classroom. The professors were so helpful and easy to get a hold of. I am one that emails all the time so this made communication very easy with professions." (medical coder/biller; 2014)
"They'd Rather Give You A Loan To Buy A Degree, Than Teach You...
make sure and ask questions before starting school. make sure you understand everything about your loan or grant." (hospital office admin; 2014)
"Don't Get Lazy...
Don't let yourself get lazy. It can be hard to study alone on an online course." (Advanced hospital coding and ccs prep; 2013)
"Plan Ahead...
Plan out your week ahead of time. This includes creating a calendar that includes work, personal time, and homework. The key to being successful is organizing your week to make sure you have enough time to complete the work." (Health Information Technician (registered); 2013)
"Orientation Is More Important Than You Think...
One tip I would give to any upcoming student, is to really pay attention to the orientation. This will help you know your way around and who to ask for help. If needed, go back and redo the orientation just so you will be extra prepared." (Medical Biller and Coder; 2014)
"Make A Schedule...
Make a set schedule, even if you don't have homework; do some reading and get ahead of the game. If you slack, you won't get everything done or you will rush and not get the best grades as you could have. If ever you have any questions, ask your professor." (medical coder/biller; 2014)
"Know All Your Resources...
Make sure to learn of all the different online aspects that your school offers online. They are very powerful and are there to help you succeed. You might not need about trying to find time in your schedule to run to the library for a book, there may be an online library were you can read the book from your computer!" (Medical Biller; 2013)
"How To Prepare Academically For Your On-Line Class...
Spend a lot of hours preparing to learn everything in the textbook, and I mean every thing. The questions on the online tests seem to be worded to stump you and let me tell you they do. When you only have for example 30 minutes to answer 30-50 questions that can make or break you. Since you do not get that important instruction from a professor, you must ask questions no matter how silly you feel they are. Ask your instructor or the other students on the discussion board. If you are having a difficult time comprehending the information, form a study group with your classmates. Chances are they are experiencing the same difficulties as you." (Medical coder; 2014)
"Don't Be Afraid To Ask...
The best tip I could give someone is to make sure you ask questions and keep an open mind. Online school may be difficult for some but if you ask the needed questions and go into your college program with an open mind, chances are you will succeed." (Medical Billing; 2013)