Comparing Online to On-Campus Courses

I have been taking college courses for several years now, and I have taken about an equal number of online courses as I have on-campus courses. Some people may think that online classes are easier than the physical classes that you would attend at a college or university. This is definitely not the case. There are pros and cons to both settings, and I will explain a few of them here.

Online Pros:

One of the most obvious benefits of an online course is being able to attend class whenever you want or are available. This makes it easier to attend college and work toward a degree while you have a full-time job or a rotating work schedule. Also, some on-campus classes may not be available when you are.

Online courses are also a good choice if you don't have reliable transportation. Some classes do require you to attend campus for tests, but you can find this out before you register if you wish to avoid it. Otherwise, it may be much more convenient for you to attend campus only 4 times a semester instead of 2 times a week.

Another thing that I like about online courses is that you can work independently, and there is less interaction with the instructor and other students. This is not always the case, because some classes implement discussion boards with required participation, but it is definitely not the same as working face-to-face in a group.

Online Cons:

I think it is a common misconception that online courses are easier than their campus counterparts. This is not true. In my experience I have found that there is generally more coursework and most definitely more reading. Because you are not attending a physical class, you do not have the opportunity to listen to lectures. Sometimes the instructor will supply a written lecture along with the assigned reading.

This was previously mentioned as being a pro, but of course there is a flip side. Working independently means more work for you.

Do you have great self-control? If not, you probably won't do well in an online course. You need to be diligent about keeping track of due dates and keeping up with your work pretty much all on your own. It's all about time management.

Now lets go over On-campus courses!

On-campus Pros:

I have found that I learn more by attending traditional campus courses. I go to school with the mind set that I am there to learn. When I'm doing an online course, it is so much more difficult for me to "get in the mood." There are too many distractions at home.

Listening to lectures is my preferred form of study, especially if you have an instructor that does it well. I retain much more information by listening than by reading a textbook. I realize this may not be true of everyone, but to me, an interesting teacher beats out a wordy 50 page chapter any day.

Going to class is fun. You meet people. You get to interact and share ideas. You might find an instructor who inspires you for the rest of your life. You might meet your new best friend, maybe even your future spouse.

On-campus Cons:

The number one downside to an on-campus course has to be working out a schedule. It's easy if you live at home, and don't have to pay for anything, but how many college students actually live in that situation? Not many. Many courses require attendance at least twice a week, and the majority of courses are available during the day. Not good for someone who works a 9 to 5. There's also the problem of not having time at home with your family or for yourself if you take night classes, and many people have a rotating schedule that makes it difficult to predict time off to attend class.

On-campus courses can be extremely difficult for those with disabilities. Most desks do not comfortably accommodate a wheelchair and when going from class to class you sometimes have to get from one side of the campus to the other.

Some people do have transportation problems, and getting to and from campus can be inconvenient and costly. I took the bus for one semester and it took about 3 extra hours out of my day. I would recommend getting a bus pass or finding someone to ride with if possible.

I hope this helps you decide what kind of class is best for you. If you are undecided try taking one of each to test the waters. Good luck!