What makes online learning so hard? Many people think that it is easier than going to school on-campus, but it’s actually harder to go to school online because of the self-discipline, self-motivation, and things generally that rely on independence. Yeah, independence can seem more freeing and easy but it requires a lot of self-reflection to know what works for you and your individual situation, which is exactly what online learning is, adjusting oneself to their own learning on their own time.
I personally have done lots of self-reflecting in just the first two weeks of being a full-time online student. I have learned that I require more self-motivation and self-discipline. In a way I came to becoming an online student thinking that I was a perfect fit, but I really am not and need work to succeed. I am good at organizing things, but that doesn’t mean I actually get them done. I have begun planning things out so that I have the flexibility to move things around. It is so much easier to procrastinate in an online setting than it is to go to class every day and have homework due every day.
Many people who are online students have much busier lives than I do, they have full-time jobs, or are a full-time parent. This is why they almost have to take school online; I don’t because I chose this way of schooling. Yes, I had my own reasons for it, but I really didn’t have to. I am still a full-time student, with a part time job but I have come to realize that having a significant other really effects my online learning. In a way, having a significant other in my life can be both positive and negative.
The best advice I heard once was that being in a relationship while being a student is like adding another 3 credit course load to my life. I recently realized how true that is. My significant other can make me motivated to complete my work, but also can be a big distraction in actually succeeding. A perfect example would be this week, I am currently looking forward to a visit from said significant other so I am determined to get things done before he gets here so that we can spend time together without me having to set time aside to do my homework. But on the other hand I am really distracted because I am excited to have him over and we are planning our time together and I am preoccupied with our daily conversations about our future adventures that we are planning. I feel like I am conflicted about having a relationship but I am also very glad to have someone to help me when things get rough, I have a strong support system that will be there to remind me to do my studies but also able to plan adventures together because of the flexibility of online learning.
That is one thing that people don’t understand unless they take classes on-line. I get so tired of people telling me that I shouldn’t be as stressed out because on-line classes are sooooooo easy. Well I beg to differ. They are, in fact, much harder than taking a class in a traditional classroom. The forced conversation alone, through the pressure to make all these posts is crazy. If I were in a classroom, I wouldn’t be forced to have conversations. I could speak out when I wanted to. Being forced to sit down and write out 17 discussion posts per week really sucks. Especially when professors want 1-2 page initial posts and then a minimum of 700 word responses. It’s just too much pressure that wouldn’t exist if I were on campus. Which in turn makes me feel like I am being punished for having such a busy life and having to take all my classes on-line!
Having a significant other while going to school is definitely a challenge. My first run through college 15 years ago, I had a heck of a time focusing on school. We had just gotten together and I was more interested in spending time with him then going to school. Plus her really didn’t help me stay focused either. That and other reasons are what made me leave school the first time. Luckily when I went back 10 years later, even though we were still together, I was more focused and he is very supportive. I really needed that to be able to do it. It really did make all the difference.
It is frustrating when people constantly make you feel like what your doing isn’t hard! I am not asking for pity, but don’t downplay my challenges. You know? I do feel a bit overwhelmed with how much posts each class requires. I have done lots of in person classes where the majority of the students stayed to themselves and i talked to only a few students and my professor. I understand the point, but can still be frustrating. I have enjoyed getting to know people from all over the U.S. 🙂 Good luck this term!
I totally agree with how it’s annoying when people think online school is a piece of cake. I have family members that assume that since I am not actually going to class, I can just sit at home and look up all of the answers to things. They don’t understand that I have to actually take the time to read things through and learn everything all on my own, which is definitely even more challenging than traditional schooling.
Kim nice post. Your posts sounds like a very heavy load. I know that with my online experience for the most part is a perfect fit for me. I like the freedom that I have, yet you think that some assignment is going to be easy and all of a sudden it has taken you 5 hours. I find that you will get into the rythim and it will become much easier for you. Keep it up and you will learn to feed off of your classmates on the topics that you are in.
Thanks 🙂
I like what you said about “independence can seem more freeing and easy but it requires a lot of self-reflection to know what works for you and your individual situation, which is exactly what online learning is, adjusting oneself to their own learning on their own time”
Your definition of online learning is accurate and I had never thought of it that way until I started discovering myself and my learning preferences and values and so on.
Thank you for putting into words what I was struggling to clearly identify. Self-discovery…..
I am in the same boat. I have had to do a lot of self “soul searching” as I would call it the last couple of weeks. I haven’t been out of school very long but because this is my first time as an online student, it is like I’m having to reprogram myself to be an online learner. It takes a lot of self-discipline and determination to be successful in this environment. All in all, I really enjoyed reading you post and I wish you luck!
Online school is definitely a lot harder! I can see dating someone being very distracting. When I first started college over 10 years ago, I met a guy and ended up being dropping out for many years. I can relate, it’s a hard balance when you have a lot of other things going on. It’s a little easier now that I am married and a little older. Good luck and I hope you guys have a good time when he visits!
Thanks 🙂 It is a distraction but I know we can get though it together. It must be nice to be all settled down in that aspect of your life. I still dont know where he and I will be in the future but we are hoping for the best.
I think your observation about the self-discipline, self-motivation, and self-discovery needed to be successful in an online learning environment is spot-on. In my opinion, it is much easier (for me) to sit in a classroom, listen to a lecture, participate in a discussion, and work on a related assignment than it is for me to have full responsibility for all this time management!!
I, too, have noted the investment of time required to read each and every post and reply from all students each week and realized how much more efficient it is to have a discussion in person! One term one of my instructors required an initial post from each of us and two replies – one to someone who had not yet had a response and another. I liked that format. The expectations were clear and manageable. And it’s much more reasonable to work through discussion boards in a smaller course (20 or less?) than in a course with 45 people.
And it is interesting, my first two terms of school were very successful. Then, last summer, I met someone and I struggled very much during Fall and Winter terms. I spent quite a bit of time trying to determine what had changed. For me, as a divorced mother of two, with two daughters, and part-time job, I decided my ultimate goal of successfully completing my degree is more important than the guy I was seeing. It was a tough decision, though there were a few things that made it easier. 😉 But your anecdote about having a relationship being like another three credit course is a fantastic one. There’s NO way I could add another three credits to my life. (And some people are more like ten credits.)