So that you can set off on a path for success in your business degree program, you should think about how you can get the most out of the class before starting your first online business course.

One of the greatest benefits of working toward an MBA or other business degree in an online degree program is that you get to do class work on your own time, around your other obligations such as your career and family.

A 2009 study in The Journal of Educators Online found that most mid-career students surveyed thought that a program designed to be compatible with their work and personal schedules was the most important feature that they looked for in a class. Unfortunately, however, the study also found that students didn't find that this was always the case.

So striking the balance between school, work, and personal demands falls on the shoulder of the student. For instance, use your down time to do course work. Plan to study while you're commuting via public transportation,or while you're on your lunch break (see Balancing Work and School: Time-saving tips for online working students). Also, plan your schedule wisely. If you're taking a course after work, make sure not to schedule any meetings toward the end of the day that might run late.

Here are more tips for your first venture into online MBA and business study:

• If you haven't done this already, make sure your business program is accredited. An accredited degree program provides the best value as it will carry more weight with potential employers. And since it's only the first class, you might be able to cancel to start another program with at least a partial refund.
• Decide what you want to get out of the class. Many students bring a wealth of real-world work experience. Think about the skills you have and set goals for skills that you'd like to acquire. The list of goals might change as your take more courses, but keeping this in mind during your first class will make the time you're spending more purposeful.
• Working toward your business degree may not take place in a classroom, but you should pretend like you're in a classroom when you're online. Remove distractions from your environment and focus only on the task at hand. It's easy to get side-tracked by Web browsing or personal e-mails, and once you cave to this temptation, it might be hard to turn back.
• Allow time to connect and network with your classmates. Your peers will be an invaluable resource throughout your studies and also after you've earned your degree, especially when you're looking to put your knowledge to work to climb the career ladder. It's never too early to begin building these relationships.
• Finally, make your online business degree program a priority in your life. In the 2009 study, the Journal of Educators Online found that the MBA degree was seen as highly useful for career success and progression. As such, your degree study is just as important for your career as your current job. If you think of it this way from day 1, every other tip will fall into place.