The Pros and Cons of Taking Virtual Classes in College

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we work and go to school. Work-from-home and online classroom models allowed for more work and learning options. An estimated 6 million college students are now enrolled in online classes.

Taking virtual classes has become a better option for many individuals who want to learn on their own time. But as with any new advancements, there are pros and cons that can come with choosing online classes.

Every person is different. What works for some may not work for others the same way. So it's important to weigh the positives and negatives of each option first to determine the best possible before you commit to a final decision.

If you're wondering if taking virtual classes is right for you, this guide can help you decide. Want to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of taking college classes online? Keep reading below for more helpful information.

Pros of Virtual Classes

If you've been thinking about taking online classes, virtual courses can be a good option for both continuing graduate and undergrad students. 75% of undergrads have taken an online class compared to 71% of graduates. Here are some of the pros associated with online classes.

Offers Greater Flexibility and Convenience

With virtual classes, you have the ability to complete your assignments during the times and days that work best for you. This makes virtual classes ideal for parents and those who work full-time but still want to explore higher learning opportunities. Virtual classes will allow you to select and complete college classes on your terms.

Some online classes may still have a set meeting time each week for online lectures and discussions. But others allow you to access pre-recorded lectures, quizzes, and reading material on your own time schedule. As long as you do the necessary work and meet the set deadlines, it doesn't matter what time of day you do it.

No Commuting to Campus

Another great benefit of taking virtual classes is that there is zero travel time to and from the college campus each week. You don't have to spend your precious time stuck in traffic trying to get to in-person classes. This will save you time, gas money, and stress.

As long as you have a dedicated internet signal and a laptop or smartphone, you can take your online classes from wherever works best for you, like during your lunch break at work. You can even take your virtual classes at home in your pajamas if you want.

Provides a Better Work-Life Balance

Having a proper work-life balance is essential for college students. Many university students also work to help pay for expenses while they go to school. 80% of part-time students have jobs, while around half of all full-time students work and go to school.

This can strain a student's mental health and time constraints. Trying to navigate a work schedule along with a full roster of university classes can lead to student burnout.

Taking virtual classes lets college students maintain a better student work-life balance. You can plan your studies around your work responsibilities and other activities.

Expanded Accessibility and Learning Options

Not everyone learns the same. Some are better visual or audio learners while others are better with written material. In traditional in-person classes, the lecture and notetaking method may not work for every student.

Virtual classes allow students to learn at their own pace. They can replay lectures as many times as they want, They can even break them up into smaller segments, if need be, for better learning retention and note-taking.

For those with mobility impairments or disabilities, they don't need to be physically on campus for classes. They also have access to the learning accommodations they need from their home learning setups, such as screen readers, talk-to-text, and magnifiers, with no judgment or hassle.

Lower Tuition Costs

Virtual classes don't have the same overhead university costs involved as in-person classes do. They may even offer a lower cost per credit plan for online classes. Taking virtual classes is a preferable alternative for college students who are looking to cut down on education costs.

You're also saving on other university-related expenses like on-campus housing, meal plan payments, materials, and transportation costs. You're still getting a university-level education but at a fraction of the original cost.

Individual Instructor Support

Students may often have questions when attending in-person classes. But they may be too afraid to raise their hands for fear of being judged by their classmates. This means they may not ask the important questions they need to in order to understand the material.

Virtual classes put you one-on-one with your professor or instructor, day or night, no matter what. You can email them at any time with questions about the assignments, lectures, or reading materials. For students with anxiety about face-to-face interactions, being behind the computer screen can help alleviate some of this stress.

Cons of Virtual Classes

There are a lot of great benefits associated with taking online classes. However, the online-only model of learning may still not be for everyone. Let's look at some potential cons of taking virtual classes.

Experiencing Internet Issues

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed major discrepancies in the ability of some households to access the internet. Students had to camp outside of fast food restaurants and stores with free WI-FI signals just to do schoolwork. This is still a very real concern for those taking virtual classes today.

There are also geographical areas where the internet is not strong enough to keep up with the weekly coursework. Certain households may not have the resources available to pay for a steady in-home Wi-Fi connection of their own.

Internet outages mean students will still have to travel to places where they can get a signal like a coffee shop or a library that may not have 24-hour access and connectivity. Issues like this can take the convenience and flexibility out of virtual learning.

Difficulty Navigating Technological Requirements

Not everyone taking virtual classes has the required knowledge of technology or the access to the proper equipment needed for online classes. They may need to upgrade their current laptop, tablet, or smartphone to one that has a higher processing speed. For students on a budget, a new laptop can be a hefty educational expense.

They will need to know how to work and troubleshoot their devices. Students must also know how to navigate their way to the specific educational portal of the online university to find and download the weekly coursework as well as how to submit their assignments on time.

Higher Possibility for Distractions

Taking virtual classes seems like a good idea for some. But for others, it only compounds the possibility of creating further distractions. Every noise and every interruption can put your learning progress off track.

If you're a parent, it can be increasingly more difficult to find a study space where your children won't be demanding of your attention. Having pets, like dogs, also means that you need to devote time to walking them, letting them outside, and calming down their barking while you're trying to study.

Trying to take virtual classes from home can be more of a curse than a blessing. You will be in the middle of every aspect of life's daily distractions.

Increased Social Isolation

For some, in-person classes are a prime way for them to socialize with their peers on the university campus. It's also a major part of the college experience. Students taking virtual classes may not have the same opportunities to socialize with their classmates in the traditional sense.

Students may not engage in regular social interaction outside of their computer-based virtual classes. They can experience increased feelings of social isolation.

This can lead to depression in college students. They will feel sad and unmotivated in their schoolwork and may decide not to complete their assignments due to a lowered sense of self-worth.

Creating online socialization groups can help minimize these feelings of loneliness. Setting aside time to meet up in person each week can also help strengthen the bond between online classmates and reduce feelings of depression.

Lack of Available Online Classes and Majors

More university programs are offering virtual classes as part of their curriculum. However, not every major program may have the same online equivalent of their in-person classes.

You may still have to take some of your classes on campus or take online versions that are only offered at certain times of the year. This makes attempting a fully online program more difficult on your timeline.

Hybrid programs may be a better compromise. They incorporate both in-person classes and virtual classes together in a mixed schedule. You can go to the campus less often and still reap most of the benefits of online classes.

Find More Helpful Resources for College Students at Honor Society

The choice to take virtual classes is a decision each student must make for themselves. Now that you understand some of the pros and cons of taking online classes, you can make a more informed choice. Navigating the college process is easier with the right knowledge and resources on your side.

Honor Society can help you find valuable scholarships and career opportunities. You'll have access to exclusive Honor Society Regalia and Career Insider guidebooks. Our membership also includes great benefits like dining discounts and health discount plans.

Fill out a membership application on our website to join Honor Society today.