Online vs. On-Campus: Which Mode of Learning Is Best for You?

Q. What social resources are available to online and hybrid students?

A. Most of the social resources that exist in person have at least some online equivalents. Students may just have to be a little bit more proactive in seeking them out. For instance, you’re unlikely to spot a flyer for a student club if you’re 100% remote, but most student organizations have a social media presence that may help you make connections. Also, even if you take your classes online, generally most student life options are still open to you face-to-face, so if that’s something you’re comfortable with and that makes logistical sense in your situation, consider taking advantage of on-campus life as well. Finally, consider resources beyond your campus. Before the shift to remote learning, college life tended to be quite cloistered within the campus environment. That had advantages in terms of ease and convenience but also made it more difficult to take advantage of opportunities outside of the university setting. Remote and hybrid learning may have popped the campus bubble to some extent–and though that might make it harder for students to have the classic “college experience,” it may also open their worlds up to a new set of opportunities.

Q. For students with disabilities, neurodiversity, or other learning differences, what factors should they consider when selecting a mode of learning?

A. Honestly, the considerations for students with disabilities or neurodivergence are the same as the considerations for any other student. The range of ways that disability and learning differences impact this decision is so vast that there’s not necessarily a specific set of tips that can help this population of students navigate the decision.

Instead, if I may, I’ll offer two thoughts from my own experience navigating education with a disability. First, please reach out for help. Even if you’re not sure what your school’s office of accessibility can do for you, for instance, it’s worth going in there to have a conversation! I neglected this until my second graduate degree, and I regret it. I missed out on help I needed, and I always recommend students use these supports. Secondly, prioritize your health and accessibility needs in the decision about what mode of learning to choose. There are always many factors in this decision, and we tend to undervalue our own accessibility needs–consider trying to put those first in the decision. It can feel tough to have to compromise for accessibility, including what mode of learning you’d prefer, but it is usually worth it for your learning and for yourself.

Q. If a student isn’t sure about which mode might be best for them, what criteria would you suggest considering?

A. This is a multi-factored decision. The first question is health. Is it safe for you to be in a classroom, given the pandemic? Is it an accessible space for you? Or perhaps do you feel like you need that level of in-person interaction for your mental health? If there’s not a pressing answer either way, I recommend first thinking about your own learning style. Do you tend to need some outside pressure to help you stay on track? Or can you only focus in your own space? Asynchronous classes tend to only work for the most self-directed learners, for instance.

Consider what kind of relationship you’d like to have with faculty members, especially if you might need letters of recommendation or other support from faculty in the future. In-person learning tends to help develop closer, more collaborative relationships with professors. Think, too, about the role you’d like school to play in your life at this time. If you want to be able to give it your undivided attention, maybe in-person classes are best. If you need to be able to set your own schedule to make room for other obligations, you might need an asynchronous virtual class. Generally, and for most learners, in-person classes are more immersive, more engaging, and more demanding, whereas virtual classes are more relaxed, more independent, and more casual. Both sets of values are valid–it’s about making the right decision for your own learning and your own life.

Q. What steps can a student take to access support with their selected mode of learning, including if they want to make changes in the future?

A. You likely have an academic advisor on your campus, and they’re your first stop, without a doubt. But (with all due respect to my colleagues in campus advising departments!) they often have huge caseloads and may not have time to get to know you and your individual situation. I often recommend students get creative about seeking more specific, and perhaps more ongoing, advising and mentorship. There may be a program, affiliated with your school or not, that focuses on students in your situation; for instance, programs based on identity categories like LGBTQ+ students, racial and ethnic minorities, programs based on an area of academic focus, programs through a religious group or other community organization, and so on. Often, these specific programs are able to offer students more ongoing and more focused advisement. Also, if you’re struggling with the transition to and from online learning, consider seeking out a qualified therapist with experience working in academia. Many students experience short-term decision-making challenges, and as we’ve adjusted to our current hybrid world, it’s easy to forget that we’ve been through a serious communal trauma. It might be worth seeking out help that’s specifically geared to helping you process and work through that experience.

Q. How have the increased modes of learning improved student access to education and higher learning?

A. The move to virtual learning has led to a huge increase in access to education for many students. I particularly saw this for my students who struggled with anxiety, students who are working, and students who are also parenting–of course, not every student in this category benefited from the shift, but broadly speaking there was an increase in access. When I transitioned away from working in higher ed advising, classes were still all-remote, with no in-person option, so I also saw the downside of this. A lot of students struggled, especially those who had no reliable internet access and no quiet, private place to work on their studies. I am hopeful that our current era, where most students have both options, will continue to increase access in new ways.

Q. What studying/organization strategies are most effective for students who are learning virtually?

A. No specific strategy will work for every student, but the key is to go in with a clear plan. Consider how to create a physical environment that will help you focus: Do you need peace and quiet or white noise in the background? An empty desk or plenty of fidgets? What kind of schedule works for you? Write it down and do your best to stick to it. Find a study buddy if you think you’ll benefit from one. The only universal tips I have are: reach out to your professor early in the semester, ideally during office hours if they have them, just to make sure you’re more than another face on the Zoom screen. Plan to give yourself breaks when you need them–when you’re working remotely, it’s easy for everything to turn into study time, and your brain (and you!) needs rest. Finally, find ways to separate out each class and the material associated with it in your mind, whether that’s taking physical notes in different notebooks, studying from a different room (if that’s an option), or devoting a specific block of study time to each class. When you’re attending remotely, you don’t have the benefit of having each subject take place in a different classroom, so build in some ways to differentiate. Overall, the key thing to keep in mind is that remote studies give you much more flexibility. That’s a blessing and a curse–you have the ability to do what works for you, but you don’t have structure built in. Build that structure for yourself, and you’ll thrive.