Studying online vs at aditional institutions
You may be a working professional, a stay at home mom or a student.
And you want to study further but you have a lot on your plate or you have a tight budget.
And you could be struggling to decide whether to study online or attend traditional classes.
Both environments provide students with different benefits.
And you need to decide which option works for you. Here are a few advantages which both platforms provide.
Studying online
Flexibility
When you study from home, you’ll have the convenience and flexibility of working from anywhere. You could work outside in a park, study on the train or in the comfort of your bedroom. You won’t be limited to attending classes in a physical building. You can study wherever and whenever you want.
Manage your own schedule
Traditional institutions require you to attend classes at different times of the day. It could be as early as 7am or as late as 8pm. This setup could be too rigid to fit in with your schedule. And if you need more flexibility, online studying could be the right fit for you.You can set your own schedule which best suits you. If you’re working it may not be possible to take time off work to attend classes. And you may need the versatility which online studying provides. You can work at your own pace as long as you meet the deadlines for tasks and assignments.
Find what works best for you
Some people are alert at the break of dawn and some people get a burst of energy in the evening. Everyone is wired differently and what’s good for the goose isn’t always good for the gander. When you study online you’ll get the opportunity to work according to the time of day when you’re most alert and productive.
A broad range of options
Studying through an online institution will give you a variety of options to choose from. You can pick from a number of degrees, diplomas and higher certificates. And you’ll also be able to select from a diverse range of courses whether you want to study marketing, logistics or finance.
Less expenditure
It’s cheaper than other traditional institutions where you have to pay hefty fees. You may have monthly expenses such as accommodation, your car and other expenses. And you may not be able to afford to pay expensive varsity fees. Studying online will help ease the financial burden as it’s not as taxing financially.
You can keep it simple
You don’t have to get dressed up when studying online. You can study in your nightgown while eating cereal in your bedroom.
Traditional institutions
Help is available
Attending lectures can be beneficial because you have a lecturer explaining the work in detail instead of you having to figure it out yourself. The lecture usually gives extensive examples of concepts which make students understand the work more thoroughly. And they usually give students a new perspective. When you’re studying online you might find it hard to understand concepts by yourself. Lecturers often give tips and hints on what students should focus on and what will come up in the exam.
Opportunity for debates
When you attend varsity full time, you’ll have the option of participating in class discussions and debates. These discussions could help broaden your mind and give you insight into the study material at hand. You also have the opportunity of raising your hand and asking the lecturer questions. But when you’re studying alone you could struggle with some concepts and it could take you hours to figure things out, which could be frustrating.
You’ll be held accountable
Online studying requires you to be very disciplined and have self-control. It doesn’t work for every personality. When you’re studying at a traditional institution you’ll be forced to stay on track with the study schedule which a lecturer has prepared for you. Some lectures usually prepare a study guide and hand it out to students at the beginning of the semester. This clearly states which chapters you’ll be discussing each week and gives you time to prepare beforehand. And some student needs that type of structured environment. Whether you study at a prestigious campus such as Boston College or another institution, having a lecture at your disposal could help improve your marks.
Tutorials
Traditional institutions also offer tutorials which generally contain smaller groups of students. The tutor will help you understand the work and helps improve overall academic performance.
Internet
The Internet may be wonderful most of the time but it also has its downsides. If you have internet connection problems, then you might not be able to finish tasks or complete assignments. And this could affect your average at the end of the semester.
There are different factors which a person needs to look at when deciding on where and how to study. The factors could range from how disciplined you are as an individual and also how much free time you have. Making a decision might not be easy, but choosing the right one could help enhance your academic performance.