Online or On Campus Classes: Which is Right for You?

During the pandemic, colleges shifted their courses online to protect the health of students, faculty, and staff. As restrictions began to lift, some students stayed online out of choice. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics noted that more than 30 percent of postsecondary students changed their classes from in-person to online in fall 2021. Now that COVID-19 is under control, you may be ready to shift back to campus—or you may not. Both learning formats have their benefits. Before you make your choice, consider what fits your life now and in the future.

Online Classes: Create a Flexible Schedule

One of the most appealing benefits of online classes is the flexibility they offer. If you work full-time, live far from campus, or just have a jam-packed life, the online modality may be the best path to your college degree. You will still need to meet deadlines, but much of when you learn is up to you. For example, if you work during the day, you can set aside time in the evening to attend class. Or if you’re an early riser, work in the mornings. You decide when you view lectures, start assignments, and take tests. All this flexibility, though, requires a higher level of responsibility. No one on campus, in person, is checking in on your progress.

On Campus Classes : A Predictable and Set Schedule

Setting your own schedule may sound appealing, but it requires good organization, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently. If you’re easily distracted or have a hard time settling down and focusing on schoolwork, you may be more successful with on-campus classes. A set schedule forces you to be on campus, in class. You’re fully immersed in a learning environment and can’t be distracted by the TV or roommates. And your professor is right in front of you, holding you accountable. That rigid schedule may also make it easier to slot in time to complete assignments and study for exams. You have two hours between classes? Find a study spot and make that time regular study time.

Online Classes: Rewind Your Lectures

Too bad your classroom doesn’t have a rewind button. With online courses, they do! When you’re in class and the professor works through equations that you can’t follow, or introduces a scientific term that sounds like gibberish, you wish you could go back and start the lecture all over again. With online classes, you can go back and replay sections of your recorded lectures as much as you need. And while you can’t rehear your classmate’s comments in a live class, with online forums, you can see the written discussion points whenever you want. You can also refer to previous modules to find the information you need to complete assignments or study.

On Campus Classes: Ask Questions in Person

On the other hand, asynchronous online classes don’t have a real time, in-person instructor. You can always email your professors to ask questions, but for some students, face-time matters. If you need an answer as soon as the question pops in your head or find body language as informative as the spoken work, you might prefer the traditional classroom. Your live questions can also engage your peers and spark great classroom conversations.

Online Classes: Build Tech Skills Through Online Resources

Online classes provide a great opportunity to enhance your technology skills. You learn how to navigate new software and webcourse platforms, and you employ online resources to study. This includes an online library, which allows you to check out digital publications, and video conferencing software that allows you to connect with peers and professors. You can try out collaborative software such as Google Docs, Microsoft Teams, or Slack. And the digital skills you build in online classes will serve you throughout your career.

On Campus Classes: Build Social Skills Through Extracurricular Activities

Just as flexibility is the hallmark of online classes, socialization is the bedrock of in-person classes. When you take classes on campus, you open yourself up to other opportunities to make friends and meet new people. You can participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, Greek life, and student organizations. You can attend on-campus lectures, concerts, plays, and chapel. When you’re on campus, you become part of the college community, and you build social skills—and a network of peers—that will also benefit your career.

Whether you choose online, in-person, or a combination of the two, Limestone University has a program and modality that can meet your needs. We offer a variety of academic programs in the Liberal Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and the Health Professions. Click the button to learn more.

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