8 Perks of Online Learning

If you’re among the thousands of students who are currently adapting to taking classes from home, you’ve probably felt a little overwhelmed. Remote learning requires different ways of communicating with instructors and working with classmates - not to mention, your time management skills are likely being put to the ultimate test.

While the adjustment period can be challenging, it’s important to remember that most of those obstacles can be overcome. You’ll be surprised how quickly you adapt to an online environment. And once you do, you’ll be able to take advantage of the many perks of online learning that you’d never experience in a lecture hall.

In this article, we’re sharing some of the unique perks of remote learning. We love them, and we know you will too.

1. Working in a space of your choosing

Some students absorb information best in quiet seclusion, while others prefer to study with background noise. Since you’re not restricted to campus (where you might have to work around roommates’ schedules or reserve space in the library), studying remotely allows you to complete assignments wherever you learn best. And that just might be from the comfort of home.

2. Losing your commute saves time and money

Whether you were commuting to campus or walking to the computer science department, you likely had to factor some travel time into your day. In addition to time, commuting also comes with associated expenses, however minor. Maybe you were paying for gas, a bus pass, or even a daily latte from the coffee shop on campus, but now that you’re learning from home, you get some time back to your day and hopefully a little wiggle room in your budget.

3. Ability to replay lectures if they didn’t sink in the first time

Rather than an in-person class, where you’re beholden to taking thorough notes or relying on downloaded slides, remote learning often comes with recorded lectures that are available to you and your entire class. This means that you can replay sections that left you confused, check that your notes are accurate, and revisit old lectures prior to exams or projects!

4. Course material is easily accessible

Online courses are optimized to be accessible to all students. With just a simple internet connection, students can access things like course materials, assignments, exams, quizzes, study guides, you might even be able to access questions that were asked during class. As a bonus, some instructors also share teaching agendas that would likely not be shared in an in-person learning environment.

5. Round the clock support

When all of your instructors, teaching assistants, and fellow students are operating online, you’re more likely to have support during off-hours. This type of flexibility allows you to easily connect with classmates who are working on the same project, or ask questions in your chat group as you think of them - even if that’s at 9pm.

6. Multiple ways of connecting with professors

While some students feel uncomfortable asking questions, or contributing to discussions on camera, there are plenty of other ways you can connect with professors and TAs. Online learning also supports messaging through your video conferencing software during the lecture, or even one-on-one consults during online “office hours.”

7. Opportunity for deep focus

To put it simply, online learning offers more control over your study environment. If you’re the type of person who needs quiet to focus, consider scheduling a couple of hours a day that can be dedicated to things like writing a paper or studying for an exam. You’ll find that it’s easier to minimize distractions when you have complete flexibility to choose the time and place for your studying.

8. Improved organization and time management skills

While it may not seem like a benefit at first, improving your organizational and time management skills will benefit your future. It could feel a little scary to lose your daily structured routine, but learning to create your own schedule and stick to it is an important skill that you can develop while learning from home. The ability to be productive, organized, and efficient in various environments will help you excel when you start working – especially if you’re lucky enough to land a remote gig.

Looking for some practical ways to improve your home learning experience? Here’s some expert advice for remote learners from Thinkful’s education team, who have been perfecting their online teaching process for years.

This post was sponsored by Thinkful. To learn more about Thinkful, visit www.Thinkful.com or check out their reviews on SwitchUp.