The Pros and Cons of Online Education
Deciding how you will pursue your education is a big decision. In the digital age, the opportunities are broad for those who wish to maintain flexibility and balance in school. One version of online education is a degree completion option for someone who is working or balancing a busy schedule. Before you begin your journey, however, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of online education and find what works best for your lifestyle.
What are the Pros?
Flexibility. Online education allows students to earn college credits anywhere and at any time. The flexibility provided by this program eliminates the need to sacrifice part of your life for education. Do you already have a full-time job? Do you have responsibilities that would conflict with a class schedule? Whatever your circumstances are, online courses eliminate the stress of scheduling class lectures into your day. Instead, you can schedule course commitments at times that are convenient for you. Online education is designed to help students fit their courses into their lives, instead of changing their lives to fit into their courses. You get to decide your priorities.
Affordability. Online education is also affordable. Choosing an online program eliminates the costs of on-campus room and board or gas costs if you had chosen to commute. In addition, tuition for online courses is almost half the cost of on-campus courses. If you choose online education, you will save time and money. Visit the cost breakdown webpage to see a detailed analysis.
Fast-paced. Another benefit of online education is fast-paced courses. Most online courses last for eight weeks, half of a normal semester, allowing students to move quickly through courses and reach their goals sooner. If you want to complete courses as quickly as possible, this is an excellent option.
Self-paced. If you would rather take a slower approach to your degree, some online programs are an option. While pursuing your degree online, you can choose how many courses to take at once. Online courses are divided into A and B sessions. This division allows you to take a course for part of the semester, and then take the second part of the semester off. To get started, look through the course calendar here.
Work-life Balance. Flexibility, affordability, and self-pacing ultimately result in greater work-life balance. This is one of the most important benefits provided by online education. With the burden of attending classes removed, online students have the freedom to plan their schedules and decide what is most important to them.
What are the Cons?
Difficulty in grasping concepts. Online learning isn’t for everyone. Some students need in-class instruction to make sense of the material and succeed in a course. If you struggle in this area, and in-person courses aren’t an option, virtual courses could be the key. Unlike regular online courses, virtual courses allow students to attend live lectures virtually. This ensures that students receive the instruction they need while still earning their degree online. To learn more about virtual courses, check out the virtual course information page.
Difficulty with fast-paced workloads. Every person is different. The class load that works for one student may be impossible for another student. Keeping up with so much homework in a short amount of time can be a struggle, but don’t be discouraged. Take one accelerated course at a time and see what’s right for your learning style and availability.
Difficulty forming relationships with classmates. College is a wonderful place to meet like-minded people and form lasting friendships. Many students find community and purpose during their time living on campus and attending in-person classes. Online courses make this process more difficult, but not impossible. All online courses require students to engage in discussion forums, which provides the opportunity for students to get to know each other.
Difficulty forming relationships with professors. In college, your professors can become some of the most influential people in your life. As students embark on their academic journeys, professors act as guides by pushing students to pursue excellence. At Maranatha, the professors serve in a unique dual role as both professional mentors and spiritual leaders. Getting to know your professors and working with them one-on-one is one of the greatest benefits of on-campus education. Although it is possible to form relationships with online professors as well, on-campus instruction makes this process simpler.
So, Which Option is Better?
The decision between online or in-person instruction is difficult, but only you can know which option will fit best into your life. Where and how you will attend college are big decisions. Both have positives and negatives. You must decide what is most important. If you’re struggling and don’t know where to turn, talk to an advisor. Maranatha’s advisors are happy to help you discover the path that is right for you.