There are two ways to get a degree: study online or study on campus. Both can have their advantages and drawbacks. This guide compares the two options to help you decide which is better for you.
As I am writing this now, my daughter is actually studying for her Law Degree. Although she is meant to be doing her studies on campus, she has spent most of her first year in her bedroom doing online studies. I don’t think she has seen each of her lecturers face to face more than twice!
And to think, she really wanted to study on campus. The current state of the pandemic means we have to consider both options carefully.
What is your learning style?
Some people learn better in a face-to-face environment. Being able to easily study with fellow course mates could also be motivational for some people. If you’re the type of person that benefits from this type of study, then learning on campus could be the better option.
Alternatively, you may find that you study better alone. If you’re easily distracted by other people and are very good at working things out yourself, studying at home could be well-suited to you. You’ll still be able to ask questions to tutors and will still have the support there if you need it, but all communication will be done remotely.
Can you afford to live on campus?
Living on campus means having to pay for accommodation. Student accommodation is generally cheaper to rent than regular accommodation, however, it’s still an extra expense that you may not have to pay when studying at home.
If you’re trying to save money or you already have other expenses to pay, you may find that it’s better to study at home. If you think you can afford accommodation and the other expenses that come with student life, then give studying on campus a go.
Do you have other commitments?
Many people who study online do so as a way of juggling other commitments. An online course allows you to study more flexibly – you don’t have to attend seminars and lectures at specific times. This allows you to still look after kids or continue a full-time job. Not having to travel to a campus to study can also be beneficial if you need to stay local for work or kids.
If you don’t have any commitments, studying on campus is likely to be a much more feasible option. There’s nothing keeping you back home, so why not take the chance to live somewhere else? So long as you don’t choose a university that is too far away, you can still make regular visits back home.
What about the full student experience?
A lot of people don’t just attend university for the education. It’s also an opportunity to live away from parents, make new friends, learn responsibility and have fun while doing it. When you study online, you miss out on house parties and to some extent, independence. If you’re still young, this is something to consider.
If you’re a little older, living the ‘student experience’ may not be necessary. You may have already done your fair share of partying and already learned many life skills, in which case you may be better off studying online.
Even if you’re still young, you may not necessarily be interested in living the student lifestyle – if education is all you want, an online course will provide just this.
I’m sure there are other points to consider so do feel free to drop your comments below.
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