If you are planning to go to college soon, you have many decisions to make in the process. One of the biggest decisions you will make, aside from which college to attend, is whether you will be going to college online or in-person. There are many factors to consider when you are choosing between an in-person and online educational experience for college. If you learn about some of these key factors in the decision-making process, you will be sure that you are making the right choice for you and your educational future.
Scheduling Issues
One of the differences in traditional versus online classes is the issue of scheduling. When you go with a traditional classroom experience, you need to schedule those classes at specific times of the day. This can be difficult if you have two classes you want to take that occur at the same time with no alternatives, or if you have work to balance with your coursework.
Online classes offer scheduling flexibility. You can do the work for those classes at any time of the day or night in most cases. You may have the occasional Zoom-type class meeting, but these are not common in online education because it is built for students that need a flexible schedule.
Socialization Issues
It is difficult to socialize with and get to know your fellow classmates in an online setting. If this is important to you and you want to go to college for the social aspects as well as the educational ones, you may want to go for traditional in-person classes.
In an in-person setting, you will get a better chance to interact with your classmates and fellow students. You will have the on-campus atmosphere of going to the student union or the library as well. And, it is easier to join groups and clubs when you are already on campus often.
Health Concerns
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, health and safety have become a major concern when choosing a college track. One of the biggest benefits of online classes in today's global environment is that you can participate in classes without ever having to leave your home.
This means you can get an education even if there is a quarantine (again) or if you have underlying conditions and are self-isolating to be on the safe side. Health concerns are a real issue nowadays and should be at least a consideration when choosing between online and traditional college.
These are just a few of the major factors to consider when choosing between going to an online or in-person college. Use these factors to help guide your decision and you will be sure you have the right type of college experience for you.