In the current educational environment, you have the option of gaining a degree through online or on-campus. The decision in choosing between a classroom, face to face interaction and one connected with the help of video conferencing and the internet. Many universities offer an option to choose between learning online or attending classes on campus. While each option can provide you with success, one learning style may suit you better than the other. Here, we have discussed what it's like to be in an online and on-campus learning environment to help you decide which option is best.
On-campus degree will involve attending lectures and tutorials at a specific campus location for the duration of your course. Here we have mentioned the advantages and disadvantages of studying an on-campus degree.
Here we have mentioned some advantages of studying an on-campus degree which make it the best option for you.
Campus degrees are widely accepted all around the world. Nobody has the right to reject a degree from an accredited, physically present institution.
By attending classes, lectures, and workshops, you can learn lively by interacting with your teachers, classmates and practical materials. It can be easy to keep yourself motivated this way, rather than motivating yourself on your own. These degrees offer the “college experience,” if that’s what you want. You will be enjoying group projects, Guest lectures and career fairs, Canteens and cafeterias, sports and so on.
Being on campus also gives you the opportunity to have an in-person conversation with your lecturers and tutors. You will be able to pick their brains and ask questions as you go along to better understand something you have learned. Being face-to-face is great for building your career and academic network as well.
Studying on campus is also a great way to meet your classmates and even make friends. You can help each other with assignments, study together and even attend study groups. When you meet people face-to-face and hear their life stories and insights in person, it is obvious to develop relationships and build connections with your classmates and professors.
By Studying on campus you also have the benefit of getting ‘out and about’ so that you can learn and study. If you are the kind of person that finds it difficult to get motivated or don’t like to study alone at home, an on-campus style of learning might be ideal for you.
While an on-campus degree offers plenty of benefits, there are some disadvantages as well you should know to decide if an online or on-campus degree is best for you.
If you are pursuing an on campus degree then you must be present physically at a lecture or in class at particular times every week. If you are balancing your work or other commitments of life then this can be a difficult task. And if you miss a lecture or class, you will miss out on knowledge.
Many on-campus courses have a compulsory minimum attendance which will be counted while final assessment and grade. Therefore, if you miss or skip classes, it could affect your marks at the end of the course.
If you are travelling to and from campus, this can consume your time. Things like traffic and public transport issues can also be frustrating, especially if you have got a long way to travel. Consider how much travel time you are facing and how this could impact your daily schedules in general.
The most obvious disadvantage of studying on-campus degree is the set schedule you have to follow as asked. When your class is only offered on one specific time, you have to ensure that day is set aside to go to class. This means you have to miss out some important things in order to attend the class for achieving your goals.
On-campus degrees can increase your cost of study as it involves a higher tuition fee than online degrees. It is not the only tuition that fluctuates but also cost of living, taxes, travel costs and more.
While the on-campus degree may have a few drawbacks, it still remains a great learning experience that helps you build better relationships, keep a set schedule, take part in meaningful discussions and give you the experience of a unique learning style.
Online degrees, formerly known as “distance learning,” are getting popular nowadays. With the help of resources such as online learning management systems, video conference, online forums and constant communication along with internet connection, now students have more ways to study than ever before. The advantages and disadvantages of online degree are mentioned below:
One of the most important advantages of studying for an online degree is experiencing more flexibility with your schedule. You get to choose the day and time you want to study. Materials and other notes are normally available at every time. And while you may be required to attend some group discussions and participate in an online conference, you can often do so at a time which is convenient for you. In many cases, classes don’t need everyone to be present online at the same time, therefore, everyone can keep their own schedule. You can participate in the online classes from anywhere at any time.
Pursuing an online degree motivates you to be self-disciplined and keep the focus on the task at hand. Responsibility comes along with more freedom. This boost your capability of being responsible can help you improve your skills of self-discipline and motivation.
No Travel Involved
An online degree means you don’t have to worry about travelling to/from campus. Thus, you can save time and spend more hours studying or doing other important work rather than travelling.
Depending on your institution, many online courses can be much cheaper than on-campus courses. You can pursue an online degree if you have certain financial hurdles or if you simply want to spend less on your course.
Another advantage of studying an online degree is the opportunity to meet and learn from students who may not live in the same place where you live. In Online education, you are not limited to being in the same city at the same time.
As studying an online degree takes place on the computer, there can be minimum or no face-to-face interaction with professors and classmates. In most cases, you will be communicating only through email. For some students, it can be difficult to study in such a situation.
The important thing required to get an online degree is knowledge of technology. If you don't have required knowledge of technology, it may become a hurdle in completion of your online degree. You will need to learn them. Problems with technology can make online learning frustrating, especially if you can’t access materials and notes if you don't have a great Internet connection. Think about how good you are to set up in terms of technology when choosing an online degree.
There will be no one to motivate you to study except yourself. And sometimes it may be difficult for you to keep yourself disciplined and motivated, especially when you are busy with other work and commitments of life or you can easily get distracted while studying at home.
Online communication can be frustrating for some students who prefer in-person communication with all the verbal and non-verbal expressions. For those who struggle to communicate in writing, online learning is an entirely new and pressure task.
Video conferencing is great but it is not the same as bonding in person. Many of the students don’t feel comfortable talking when they can’t meet the person personally.
Deciding between studying an on-campus and online degree must be made after carefully thinking. Before you apply for the program, discover which method will suit your learning style and personality better. With these advantages and disadvantages as mentioned above will help you to choose the better option and you can be closer to achieving your goals with your desired degree program, whether you study in the comfort of your home Or in the campus. Campus degrees aren’t better than online degrees or online aren’t better than an on-campus degree, it is all a matter of preference. The best approach is to help a student find a program that offers the kind of where he or she will thrive.
If you have earned your degree from an online university, which doesn’t offer any on-campus degree, your employer will come to know that you have completed your degree online if he/she knows that your university was online university.
If your degree is from that university which offers only some degrees online, then there are fewer chances that your employer will know that you have earned an online degree unless you specifically mention it or they do research about it.
Many students are worried about whether in the present world employers would consider an online degree to be as good as its on-campus counterpart. The results are positive for online degree holders:
Also, one more point you should take into consideration is your industry. If you are in the field of the Internet or new media, reports show that 70% of online degrees are seen as accepted and opposite to that with marketing degrees that only hold a 29% acceptance rate. However, all online degree programs are not treated equally, where you receive your online degree makes a significant impact on how employers will view your method of education.
Twinkle is an active listener and observer. She has a boundless curiosity to improvise her all-round knowledge. She is always open about her thoughts and her personality is filled with thirst for acquiring knowledge about different fields. Her favourite pastime is to pen down her thoughts and knowledge. Her strength is the simplicity of language yet being artistic.
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