Pros and Cons of Taking Online College Classes

In the last decade or so, online learning has evolved greatly and since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, it has become a go-to method of studying for many students and those who have decided to further their education. 

At the height of the pandemic, online classes were pretty much the norm. For some people, this was great while for others, the adjustment was a complete nightmare. Most colleges and universities have since reopened their doors, but there is no debating just how crucial of a role online classes played in keeping students afloat during the height of the pandemic. 

If you or someone you know have been considering taking online classes, but would like to get a heads-up, here are a few pros and cons to consider before moving forward with your decision. 

Starting with the pros:

1. Your classes are more accessible

Online classes are perfect for individuals who lead a busy life or those who may be house-ridden due to mental or physical illness/disability. They are also great for those who travel and like to move around a lot. 

This is the case because, in online classes, you always have the autonomy to access your courses no matter the location, lifestyle, or personal circumstance. Not everyone is able to commute, live on-campus, or be confined to one location. 

2. Your schedule will be more flexible 

One of the greatest things about online classes is that they are very flexible. Instead of having to report to a physical classroom at a designated time 2-3 days out of a week, you have the ease of focusing on your studies at whatever time is most convenient for you. 

Yes, there are still due dates in place and you must be responsible, but the flexibility that many online courses provide is unmatched as far as education is concerned. 

This is essentially why online courses are so appealing to those who work full-time and/or have a family/household to maintain. The luxury of working toward your degree without having to put your personal life on hold is a definite win-win. 

Photo by Sarah Chai on Pexels

3. You will save a lot of money

This could very well vary, but on average, online classes are much cheaper than on-campus classes. The dollar amount per credit hour may cost the same as traditional classes, but when you factor in things like the price of room and board, gas (for commuter students), meal tickets, etc. the cost is much lower in comparison. 

This is, of course, the case if you are taking all of your courses online. 

Either way, you are more likely to save a good amount of money by opting to take classes online as your only expenses will be tuition, books, and other study essentials. 

Depending on your financial situation, however, you may have to take out a student loan here and there but even then, you will be accruing less debt than your traditional student counterparts. 

Now on to the cons:

1. You are in control of the quality of your education

For many people, this would be a pro but for those who lack self-discipline and rely heavily on the guidance of others, this is most certainly a con. 

This is the case because, in online classes, you are pretty much on your own in your journey as a student. Your professor is not there guiding the lectures. Your classmates are not there to hold you accountable when you're slacking off. This is all left up to you. 

It is up to you to decide whether or not you're going to do the reading or watch a pre-recorded lecture before jumping into your graded assignments. It is up to you if you're going to submit a quality response and be engaging or do the bare minimum on discussion board assignments. 

Yes, all of the course material is already organized, but how the material is approached and utilized is all up to you. You are in control. 

Related: 5 Steps to Overcome Your Fear of Taking an Online Course 

2. Not many opportunities to network

In college, networking is very important, but when taking online classes in college, opportunities to network are not as accessible as they are on campus. Sure, you may receive an email about a job fair that is occurring on campus, but if you do not live in a reasonable vicinity to your school's campus, such announcements are null and void. 

Furthermore, you are often not exposed to your classmates unless the course holds weekly zoom meetings and even then, it may be strictly academic with little room to make personal connections. 

However, this is not to say that networking is impossible when taking classes online in college, it is just going to take a little more effort and intention on your part. 

3. Can be lonely and monotonous

The very cut-and-dry nature of online classes can be a major drawback, especially for those who like variety in their studies. Random, pop-up assignments are very rare as the courses are most often already planned from start to finish—there is very little variety. 

Depending on your personality and style of learning, this can quickly lead to a sense of loneliness and monotony. This is why I highly recommend online students find a way to liven things up a bit while being responsible in the process. 

Again, as an online college student, you are in control of the quality of your education so why not make it fun? 

4. The course load can be heavy

Much like traditional college classes, online college classes can be just as rigorous, if not more. In many cases, it is not the material that is hard to grasp but the amount of material you have to study. This is especially the case for fast-track courses that are 4-8 weeks in length. 

Photo by Monstera on Pexels

These short courses are usually much more available to take online than they are on campus. 

Just imagine having to learn 14-16 weeks of material in just 4 weeks. You're literally going to be doing four times the work per week. But this is not to say that taking on such a feat is impossible. You can still get a lot out of a fast-track online course, you just have to be diligent and always on top of your assignments. 

Personally, I only recommend taking a 4-week course online if you are almost finished with your degree and are just ready to graduate. Never take one just because it is the last thing available. 

Related: Why You Should Never Use Your Phone to Take an Online Course

----

Overall, like with most things, opting to take online classes comes with its own set of perks and disadvantages. However, this should not steer you away from taking on such a path. As we witnessed at the height of the pandemic, the online learning landscape was essentially the pillar that was holding things together in the world of education. 

With this in mind, we can all count on the fact that online classes are not going anywhere—at least not in the foreseeable future.  

If you've ever taken online classes in college, what are some pros and cons you were able to pick up on in your experience? Sound off below. (anonymous commenting available) 

Cover Photo Credit: ehsan ahmadnejad on Pexels

Also read: 7 Reasons Why You Should Take Online Classes This Summer  

5 Tips to End the Spring Semester Strong in Online College Classes