Online classes: yes or no?

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I'm currently attending community college, as well as looking for a job. In order to cut down on both time spent commuting to my school (I live a fair bit away) and time spent not hunting for work--and to avoid having to deal with classmates and teachers who don't understand my needs--I'm thinking of taking my classes online next quarter.

The one issue I can think of is that my organizational skills are absolute crap, and I have trouble keeping up with fast-paced stuff sometimes (not sure about the pacing of online classes at my school). Do you think that would make online classes a bad idea, or should I still go for it?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have!

if you are keeping up now, i think keeping up without having to deal with the commute would be easier.

I agree with Cathylynn.

The online classes should cover the same amount of material as a regular in-room class. So, just make sure that the class you want to take is intended to take the same number of weeks to finish as the classes you are taking now.

The hardest thing I experienced about an online class was making sure I uploaded my assignments on time. Sometimes, the teacher gave an odd time of day for a deadline. And, if for some reason, you have computer problems when you are turning them in, it could be late. So, be careful with that.

Thanks for the advice, all! I think I'm gonna go for it.

And I'll definitely keep the assignment times thing in mind, haha.

Due to health problems I've been forced to take online classes for the last 3 semesters.

I've enjoyed my online classes for the most part, but I found that they are VERY different from on campus classes (I like those too).

A lot of online classes don't have any lectures at all. I've had several classes that just give reading assignments for the week followed by a discussion question that must be answered on a message board and a weekly quiz to make sure you did the reading and understand it.

The classes can be a lot of work and can be more difficult depending on your learning style. If you're good with learning on your own with only a book to teach you, you'll do okay. If you need lectures to learn, online classes might not be for you. Also, you do need to be self-motivated to keep assignments on track, etc.

You might want to talk to your adviser, and see if they can give you an idea of what to expect from your school's online classes.

You might want to ease into things--take one or two online classes and do the rest on campus next term. That way, if you discover that online classes aren't for you, you won't blow an entire semester...

I've never taken an online class.

But they're useful for a working person; one doesn't have to make the effort (especially transportation-wise) to attend an actual class.

One drawback to online classes is that you don't have personal interactions with professors or other students.

Then again, "personal interaction" is not necessarily a priority within Aspies (even myself). However, interaction, when not forced, does enhance one's impressions owing to the influx of other influences.

I definitely agree with nerdygirl.

I liked most of my online classes (I did 50% in person and 50% online, because I didn't want to spend two nights a week away from my kids). Some do video lectures, some do audio lectures, some post resources only. All of them did have components to have online discussions with the other students. The stoopid part about that is that you had to post a certain amount of content (no problem), BUT, then you also had to reply to a certain number of posts by other students... and they would almost all wait until the last minute, so, if discussion cutoff was 10pm sunday, I had to be sure I was up there at 9:45 making replies for everyone who waited until 9:30 to post their content.

this. also you can set your own times, dress however, etc.
i've never taken an actual online class either (as in, you can do it at home), just as class at school that was completely on computers.
neither seem like the best match for me though. i'd be too distracted

It depends on whether or not you have the focus.

I LOVE online classes. I get by with fewer interactions, don't have to deal with people as much, and can work when I please. I do have to be very careful with deadlines though and have had several Ooops moments with this. It may be worth a try though.

Having a few online classes have been a Godsend for me: Communication through email instead of talking, open book tests (I'm terrible at memorizing facts and dates), and the ability to get assignments done early if I want.

For some classes, I don't think I would do as well without the in person feedback, like English classes and history classes that require a lot of writing.

I personally can't wait until I can take an online class or...4! It's so much easier, I assume, because it's less stressful (because I can't be very social at campus). I, too, live far away from my school. That fact alone would make me seriously recommend you take some online classes.

I've taken about 6 legal studies classes online and will take some education classes soon. I enjoyed it. The research is usually done through an online library and videos and things. There are no distractions. No petty small talk. It is really just you and the teacher. You usually have to make at least 3 posts on a forum. I like that I could do my class at any time, I didn't have to go anywhere, no parking, no cold weather. You have to put as much work into it as a brick and morter school, but I feel it is easier taking online classes.