Online classes have lots of amazing aspects, but they also have a few downfalls as well. Taking online classes helped me create a schedule that worked for me. Online classes are very good ways to add flexibility to your to-do list on a day-to-day basis. Along with weekly assignments, they provide you with all the same learning material that someone in the in-person class would get. I’ve heard that sometimes the professors even put out the whole lesson plan for the semester so you can work ahead. Another benefit I’ve experienced comes with being able to find whatever extra time you have available to work on it. You’re not confined to an hour-long lecture every three days. There were some classes where I would work on the assignment and go through the lecture slides whenever I had a thirty-minute chunk of time. When it comes to tests and quizzes, my online classes gave a few days long period to complete quizzes and exams, which allowed me a lot more time to study and get prepared.
Some other parts of online classes aren’t as glamorous, such as trying to understand the material. Most people, including myself, are used to a high school environment where teachers would help you through their work and answer any questions they have. My online classes did have the option to email the teacher questions and they are available for virtual office hours, but it took a while for them to respond. I learned that it’s not the same as having a teacher physically in front of you being able to add extra insights to the material and answer questions in real time, so you never fall behind. I took Chemistry 1 online and then Chemistry 2 in person, and I understood topics a lot better and quicker in Chemistry 2 despite it being a more advanced class.
