As students further progress in their educational journey, they not only become increasingly aware of personal preferences and needs but also gain more and more autonomy over how, when and where they would prefer to learn. For many students, this means a shift from bustling classrooms and crowded halls to the peace and convenience of home-based online coursework. Taking classes online has recently become increasingly popular among students of all ages—online courses can reduce stress around transportation, increase focus and comfort and they have the potential for faster course completion. However, restricting your learning to a screen certainly isn’t for everyone, and the isolated, self-paced nature of online education may prevent some students from fully understanding a topic.
First off, there are several different types of online classes to choose from—including asynchronous, synchronous and hybrid—and they all affect student experience in various ways. Asynchronous courses let students learn at their own pace, whereas synchronous classes require real-time participation and hybrid models combine elements of both. These structures are all thoughtfully designed to accommodate different learning preferences and schedules.
The first thing to know about taking online classes is that it is common, especially with asynchronous classes, to not have a designated instructor. For students who enjoy asking questions and receiving guidance on classwork, this can be a serious learning constraint. Learning about a topic from an expert who fully understands and can explain the material can make all the difference to students who need extra support to succeed academically. However, if you are a student who finds it easy to understand subjects without the help of a teacher, and you enjoy working on your own, you may love the self-paced and personalized environment that accompanies enrollment in an online class.
Taking online classes can also come with unmatched flexibility. Many students find themselves unable to focus solely on school and need to balance their education with work, extracurriculars, family or other personal needs. Taking courses online allows students to access materials at any time, complete assignments at their own pace, and do so from any location. This is invaluable to those who find it difficult to fully commit to an in-person class.
However, another factor to keep in mind while considering enrolling in an online class is that you will not be surrounded by peers—or anyone at all, for that matter. Online classes typically involve working at home, away from the classroom. For some, this can be a serious incentive, as it removes the often irritating and overwhelming atmosphere that comes with a large concentration of students in a learning space. And who wouldn’t love completing their coursework for the day on the couch with a nice cup of tea? Even though a solo work environment may suit students who enjoy working on their own, it can be extremely isolating for sociable students who focus better in areas that offer opportunity for connection.
Taking online classes can also impact student health and well-being in numerous ways. It is widely known that staring at a screen for long periods can be detrimental to eye and brain health, as the blue light emitted by screens contains high-energy wavelengths that can damage the retina at the back of the eye. Long-term exposure to blue light can also cause headaches and disrupt sleep patterns, both of which can be detrimental to students’ quality of life and lead to reduced academic success. Additionally, taking classes on the computer often involves sitting for extended periods while working. In traditional, in-person classes, students naturally incorporate more movement into their day by walking between classrooms—a benefit that is largely absent in online learning environments, where students remain stationary for longer durations at home. Getting substantial movement throughout the day is extremely important for health, especially in young people, as it can improve mobility, boost energy and dopamine levels and help prevent chronic diseases.
Choosing between in-person and online education is entirely up to you; however, it’s important to consider your personal goals and learning style, and make sure your choice aligns with the factors that will ensure academic success.
