Advancements in technology are also ensuring that distance education has become more than waiting for the postman to deliver your coursework. Interactive portals, video lectures, 24-hour support and online communities have transformed how students learn and engage with their studies.

And, with the explosion of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) onto the market - free and available to any person with access to the internet - online study has created learning without boundaries.

While the demand for on-campus education is still strong, the potential for online study to become a major, if not the major delivery method is high. Many students are already reaping the benefits of combining their on-campus subjects with online components, in what is often referred to as multi-modal or blended learning. According to the Grattan Institute, 2011 saw 23 per cent of all tertiary students study either completely off-campus or via multi-modal studies, gaining the best of both worlds.

But for the working professional seeking to upskill, the stay-at-home mum looking to return to the workforce , or even the high school graduate seeking to combine work with study, online courses have created a portal for students to reach their study goals without dropping the ball in other aspects of their lives. And, with the stigma surrounding the quality of online courses subsiding, students can expect to achieve the same, if not more, than their on-campus counterparts.

Similarly, the benefits of distance education also swing in favour of the provider. Moving to online delivery can help an education institution ensure their content is up-to-date and relevant and reduce classroom administrative work. For a smaller university or TAFE, online courses also open up the education playing field to a larger number of students, unhindered by class size and geographical location.

So become a part of the changing education landscape and enrol in that online course, like you always said you would. It's that simple.