The freedom that correspondence courses bring also comes with the responsibility to get the job done. Make an honest evaluation of your work and study habits. Are you the kind of person who can buckle down and get things done on your own, or do you need someone else to give you a structured routine? What were your study habits the last time you took a course? If you lack the self-discipline to get to set your own study parameters, then a correspondence course could become a waste of time and money. If you are organized at work, then you offer yourself a good chance at being successful in taking a correspondence course.
Do you have the tools available to be successful in your correspondence course? When considering online courses, remember that you will need access to high-speed Internet and a reliable computer to save yourself from aggravation when getting course material done. Can you get to the library easily if your correspondence course calls for a research assignment? How do you intend to buy textbooks and how quickly can you get them? Being able to access all the materials you need to be successful in your correspondence course will make it a much more rewarding experience.
Does your lifestyle right now allow you to take the time for a correspondence course?
How many hours a day do you spend at work, commuting and looking after family business? Look at the amount of time your course suggests you put aside for studies daily or weekly and ask yourself if you can afford to take that time from your schedule. Once you've made the decision to take a correspondence course, set that time aside for your course and make sure that both you and your family respect it.
Although you can learn the theory behind auto mechanics from a book, you really can't learn about a car engine unless you get your hands dirty under the hood. Ensure that the course content for your correspondence course lends itself to that style of learning. There should be little to no hands-on experience necessary to completing the course. Essentially, you should look for course material that can be learned through reading and online dialogue.