A quick snapshot of the benefits.
If you’re curious about the benefits of online learning, here goes: flexibility, no relocation, less expenses.
There’s more.
But these are the main ones.
Now, there’s something else that you should pay attention to. And that’s the downside of online learning. Let’s get to it all.
Flexibility: the main benefit of online learning.
Ask someone who’s done on online learning and remained a strong supporter and one of the first things you’ll hear is that you have flexibility.
You can wake up, roll into class in your pajamas still looking all ragedy.
And just take your courses.
If it’s a pre-recorded course you life feels even better because you don’t need to be on zoom.
No relocation: another online learning benefit to avoid stress.
Say you got into a school in another state but it’s online learning.
Nothing like moving across states, packing up your things and finding a new place. House search can be frustrating and too stressful.
Online learning avoids all that.
Another win.
Less expenses: online learning benefit that saves you money.
You don’t need to drive to school. Talk about gas fees piling up over time. And the struggles to find parking.
If you don’t have a car, you don’t need to take a bus. Or train.
Have you ever waited on public transit and it doesn’t show up. Imagine doing that when it’s cold.
Or having to take an Uber or Lyft when somehow the bus doesn’t show up because somehow it’s running late.
There’s the stress part but really all the money over time is coming back to you.
Poor interactions: a major online learning disadvantage.
This is one major problem with online learning. I’m yet to meet anyone who enjoyed talking to their classmates or project group mates through zoom.
Collaborations get messy coordinating through text message or WhatsApp.
Honestly, if you were in person you’d feel more like you belonged.
Part of going to school is not only to learn from your professors but also to learn from your classmates. And if it’s a grad school program you’re definitely missing out.
Schools have tried several avenues to get people together but the whole zoom/skype thing isn’t the same as in person.
This remains a serious ding for online learning.
Serious procrastination: an overlooked downside of online learning.
The ease of rolling out of bed to take your classes is the same ease of rolling back into bed and under your covers.
Have something to work on that requires focus but keep getting distracted at home? Yeah… online learning does that to you.
Your parent, roommate, spouse, kids. Someone, something just keeps tugging at your attention. And a task that should take hours takes days or almost never gets done.
Of course personal discipline goes a long way but there’s only so much concentration you can have when your TV is right there for you to binge that show.
You definitely don’t have such temptations when you’re in a classroom.
There’s something about showing up physically that keeps people accountable. And honestly, online learning is still struggling in this area.
You should not only look at the benefits of online learning.
Don’t just choose online learning.
There are people who go online and regret it.
It’s important you step back and consider the downsides too. Pause, reflect and account for the pros and cons of online learning, and how it fits your life and level of discipline.
If it doesn’t, rethink it.
Your future self will thank you!
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