Learn on the job

Many people don't feel like doing anything after work, not unless it's a laid-back leisure activity. So, which type of person is best suited to do an online degree while holding a job? Mary Simpson, a mother of two and full-time marketing executive, says it takes discipline and an academic bent of mind.

"You must be determined. You need to want to study above watching a movie or catching up with friends," she says. "You have to be studious and disciplined, and people who are this way naturally are better off because they better appreciate their time and study regimens."

For mechanical engineer Wassim Choueri, however, anyone can do it so long as they want the degree, as motivation will stem from there.

"Studying isn't for everyone, but if you're able to complete your degree as a full-time student at a university, then you'll be able to do it online," says Choueri, adding that time management is one of the greatest challenges.You can't just plan to do what you can when you can, he says. Rather, you need to work out a schedule, whether it be a number of hours a day or a volume of work completed weekly, and you have to stick to it.

"I get home and go study. I play the guitar, but if I'm doing that or watching TV, I have to tell myself, ‘hang on. You can't be doing this'. Managing time is the most difficult thing," says Choueri, who has overcome this challenge well enough to now also fit gym into his busy day.

Backing from peers and family makes a big difference. "If I didn't have the support of my family, I'd not have been able to do my degree," says Simpson. "With two kids, one five and the other going through the end of the terrible twos, it would've been impossible to get anything done. My husband is lovely; he kept the kids busy and the house running, he's even quite the cook now."

Choueri feels employers must also offer encouragement. "When I started studying, I was warned at work to keep focused and continue being productive. I guess employers don't want their staff distracted. They may worry that studying will take time away from work, but this isn't necessarily true, especially if you have a good support system."

Getting your finances in order is also crucial, he adds. "Having your funds ready helps. Try to get funding from your company, even if it's for one year. Being able to study part-time allows you to spread out your finances; it doesn't hurt as much as paying for the full-time degree."

Other benefits of distance learning include being able to work, which not only means making money to pay for your studies but also gaining valuable experience. "When you've been working for five years, leaving [work] to go and study leaves you out of it. Doing it part-time keeps you in reality, and you can apply what you're learning every day," adds Choueri.

A less thought-of benefit of web-based studies is that students become more technologically savvy. By the end of the term, their computer skills would be enhanced.

"I've also heard from someone in HR that a part-time degree is more respected than a full-time one because it reflects well on the candidate — it shows great time management, discipline and dedication," says Choueri.