KLAMATH Community College | Qualities of a Successful Online Student (2024)

FAQs

Is online college more difficult than in-person? ›

“Many students, however, report online classes as being easier than, or only as difficult as, in-person classes.” Lee, who has taught in distance learning settings, explains that the development of virtual classes is up to the instructor and the institution. For example, some online courses are self-paced.

But in many cases, an online degree is more challenging for students because it requires more self-discipline and motivation to "take an active part in their learning," Mathes says. And, like residential students, online students need to maintain academic integrity when completing assignments and taking exams.

It's important to decide whether you enroll in full- or part-time classes while deciding how many online classes should I take. A full-time student normally enrolls in 12-15 credit hours every semester, or roughly four-five courses, meaning that they have a 24--45 hour workweek.

As long as a school is regionally accredited, colleges won't typically have any issue with whether the school is online or in-person. For students looking at more competitive universities, there are obviously additional considerations, such as AP courses or extracurricular activities.

However, generally speaking, they require the same amount of weekly study time. Students taking classes online typically report spending between 15 and 20 hours a week on their studies, but this will largely depend on how many courses they are taking.

The Business Management Department at Rio Hondo College offers three programs in which students can complete all the required coursework by taking online classes. The 100% online programs are: Business Administration – Associate of Arts. Business Marketing – Associate of Science Degree and Certificate of Achievement.

An online degree is just as powerful as an in-person degree, so you can approach the professional world with confidence and the readiness to succeed in your dream career path as you achieve your Bold Future.

Online courses require more time than on-campus classes. Believe it or not, you will spend more time studying and completing assignments in the online environment than you will in an on-campus course.

Are students happier with online classes? ›

Over the past two decades, studies conducted in America found that 83.4% of faculty and 88% of students expressed satisfaction with asynchronous online education (Hartman et al., 2000; Swan, 2001).

A good "rule of thumb" to follow is every credit hour equates to 2 to 3 hours of homework per week. For example, a 4 credit hour class will likely require 8 to 12 hours of work per week.

The online environment is especially appropriate for visual/verbal learners because we present most of the information for a course in writing.

While just over 20% of undergraduate students enrolled at primarily online colleges earn their bachelor's degrees within six years, the graduation rate for similar students at other institutions was 64.6%. However, online students at two-year schools graduate at higher rates.

In-Person Classes: The Pros

In fact, many students agree that it's easier to learn when there is direct, face-to-face communication with your professor, instead of just a computer screen. You can ask questions in real-time and engage more directly with the subject matter.

It can be more challenging for students to communicate with their peers and instructor in an online environment. Learning online doesn't come with the option to walk up to the teacher after class (unless your instructor allows questions in synchronous classes), so students can feel more alone if they are confused.

Reduced Social Pressure and Anxiety. Some students struggle with social anxiety in a traditional classroom. In a virtual setting, these students tend to feel less pressure to interact with peers or fit into the social norms of a brick-and-mortar classroom.

The Time for Class 2023 survey, published Tuesday, found that 31% of students prefer face-to-face instruction over other modes of instruction, but the remaining 69% prefer fully online, hybrid, or blended learning options.