Differences_Between_Traditional_Oncampus_and_Online_College

Differences between Online and Traditional Campus Colleges As we all know choosing a college and finding the time to attend is never easy for some. So before you decide on anything you must ask yourself do I have time to attend a traditional campus college or is it best to attend an online college. Most people are undecided because they don’t believe or have doubt that an online degree isn’t credible and believe that a traditional on campus degree is credible. Truth be told the end result of receiving your degree from either college type is the same. Either degree will help you find a job in your field of choice. You must keep in mind that the learning environment is very different at each option. It is beneficial to know the important differences between the two college types. Now days there are a lot of students especially working adults attending online colleges. Of course online studying isn’t for everyone but a benefit to online colleges is that you get the flexibility. On campus colleges structures your day with attending classes which means you have to arrange your life, i.e. family, work, and etc. around your classes. Some on campus professors are ok with students missing a class or two here and there but missing too many classes can cause you to fall behind in your studies. Attending online classes gives you the option to attend classes that are asynchronous (no fixed time intervals) on a week to week basis or you can choose synchronous (fixed time intervals) on the same week to week basis as asynchronous. Online classes are run differently but it is easier to attend online classes when you have a job, family, and etc. Attending a campus college you must attend a certain amount of hours a week. This could be a problem if that means that you will have to change your work schedule and other daily activities. While an online class you may have to attend an online chat room with the professor and other classmates but most of the time it isn’t mandatory and if it is you can work it into your schedule. Even if you are at work you can log in to that chat room while on your lunch break. If you are the type of student that needs the face to face interaction with other students or the professor then obviously an online college isn’t for you. Attending an online college you will have ways to communicate with the professors and other students but it won’t be the same as being face to face. Online college students interact with other students and professors through chat rooms and email. Interacting with the professor for class work assistance through email and chat rooms isn’t the same as being face to face but it does help students just like it would if attending a traditional campus college. Students that are used to attending campus colleges tend to miss that face to face interaction when attending classes online. A benefit that on campus colleges have that online colleges don’t have is different clubs and organizations. For the students that are interested in joining fraternities and sororities, sports teams, or any other type of student involvement they belong with a traditional campus college. The students that are only interested in receiving a degree will be just fine attending an online college because at an online college the main focus is giving the student an education opportunity; nothing more and nothing less. Attending an online college could possibly save students money. As most traditional and online colleges tuition rises every year. At an online college all you pay for is tuition and books. At a traditional on campus college you not only pay for tuition and books but some also have to pay for room and board, parking, facilities, i.e. gyms, dining halls, libraries, and etc. if having those facilities on campus is a must for students than attending a traditional college would be a better choice. Online colleges will most likely provide virtual libraries. Some online colleges have partnerships with different facilities to ensure the student’s education isn’t compromised. Attending a traditional campus college isn’t any better than attending an online college. Both college types will educate you on what’s needed to excel in your professional field of choice. As the student you will have to decide which college type best fits your life style, needs, and wants. Once you figure these things out it will be a piece of cake deciding between the two.