Are you considering tertiary study? It’s an exciting time, whether you’re a recent high school graduate or a mature-age student looking to upskill. Studying at a college is an excellent way to further your career, gain in-depth knowledge about a niche topic, and make connections that will last a lifetime.
One major advancement in the last few years has been online study, which continues to rise in popularity. Whether you’re studying for the first time or going back to do your online masters in counseling psychology, there are options for everyone who turns to online education. However, is online study right for you?
Online vs In-Person Study
There are some key differences between online and traditional, on-campus learning to take into account before you make your decision.
Both types of study will provide an identical academic outcome and career opportunities, and both modes go through a strenuous accreditation process to ensure that colleges provide high-quality education with proven outcomes for students.
You will graduate with the same degree regardless of the mode of study. In addition, the coursework and readings are often identical for each, as are the subjects and topics, and the assignments, tests, and exams for students are usually the same in most cases. For some universities, the same faculty teach both the on-campus and the online courses.
However, online degrees can consist of asynchronous tutorial classes, which means that students can access class materials on their own time when it suits them the most, with a deadline for submitting work. Often, online students must attend live online classes held via Zoom or another video platform once or twice a week or so. An in-person degree may have set in-person classes multiple times weekly, where all students must attend a certain percentage to pass.
The Benefits of Online Learning
Online Learning is More Affordable
Due to lower overhead expenses for colleges, online qualifications can often be cheaper for students, resulting in less student debt accumulated. This means you get the same qualification for a lower cost than in-person learning. You’re also studying from the comfort of your own home (or anywhere else in the world if you’re studying while you travel), so you don’t have to commute to campus and spend money on public transport or gas for your car, or pay expensive accommodation fees for on-campus living.
Fewer Distractions for Online Degrees
Another key benefit to studying your degree online is that you’ll have more choice and control over how, when, and where you study. You will experience fewer distractions compared to a student who is studying on campus. For example, when you learn remotely, you can attend lectures and classes from the couch in your living room or a home office, fully relaxed, or in a quiet cafe, library, or other location close to home. This convenience is invaluable in providing a great learning experience.
Remote learning also presents a major upside for students with neurodivergence, such as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), who usually need a calm, quiet environment without noisy distractions and chaos to focus correctly.
Online Learning Offers Better Perspectives
Another key advantage of online learning is that students often mingle with a diverse peer base online, as you don’t need to live near the university or college campus in order to attend classes. This diversity of students provides an improved and widened perspective as you learn from your peers, and offers a diversity in various opinions and skills, which is essential for entering the workforce after you’re qualified. The networking you’ll do while you study online can set you up for success.
Some Further Considerations
Time Management is Key
Online adult education requires you to manage your time effectively. This is especially so if you have to balance your studies with work, family commitments, chores, and other life admin tasks that mature-aged students have. It can be hard to find the time to attend to your education, but you must do it. Even young students, fresh out of high school, may need to manage work, social lives, and exercise more effectively while they study remotely.
You’ll Need High-Speed Internet
In order to effectively study online, including attending any remote classes and lectures, you will want a high-speed internet connection. A broadband connection is best, such as a fibre optic cable connection. Mobile internet or 5G can be patchy and prone to dropouts, and isn’t ideal for remote studying, as you want to be able to attend all online classes. If you don’t already have a decent connection when you enrol in your online course, make the switch to a decent internet provider to set you up for success.
Heading into a college education is an enormous undertaking, no matter how you study. While online education is becoming increasingly popular and is a great option for many, the decision should not be taken lightly. Taking the time to think about whether getting your degree online will result in the best learning outcomes for you before you jump in headfirst will help set you up for the best college experience for you.
