Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online courses have become a lasting aspect of today’s education. Stan State offers a variety of courses in this format, providing students with flexibility to manage their schedules and academic goals.
One common discussion among students is the difference in workload between online and in-person classes. Some online courses can be more demanding or paced differently depending on the professor.
Vanessa Romero (Senior, Child Development) is currently enrolled in an online psychology course. She shared how the workload differs between traditional classroom settings and online learning.
“The workload is a bit different for me this semester because there are multiple assignments due on a set date, whereas my in-person class assignments are typically due at the end of class. I usually only have one assignment for my in-person classes, but two to three more for online ones,” Romero said.
Romero also offered advice for students considering online courses next semester.
“Time management is truly beneficial when taking online courses. When I make time at the beginning of the week to get my assignments done, I never have to worry about getting it done on the weekends or at the last minute. I know it can be really difficult at first, but it will truly pay off.”
Chameng Cha (Senior, Psychology) said organization is key to staying on track in online classes.
“I would really recommend staying on top of assignments. Don’t wait until the last minute to turn them in because sometimes they can take up to an hour or two,” Cha said.
Cha added that communication among students also plays an important role in success.
“Keeping in contact with classmates and asking questions that are needed is important,” he said. “Every question deserves an answer. You don’t want to be doing an assignment and be unsure of what to do.”
Lily Maracle (Senior, Psychology) shared that staying organized with physical tools helps her manage deadlines.
“Get a calendar and write every assignment, exam and paper due throughout the semester. Then, get a to-do list and write down everything you need to do for the day or the week, depending on how busy you are,” she said.
Beyond coursework, many students said finding a sense of community online can be challenging compared to in-person classes.
Roohpreet Kaur (Senior, Psychology) touched on the way Discord helps students stay connected.
“I think it is beneficial because it helps students connect with each other and help each other with questions, rather than always having to wait on the professor to reach back out to assist,” Kaur said, referring to the use of Discord.
Cha said that while building community online can be difficult, taking initiative helps.
“Sometimes I do struggle to find community within my class because of its online nature. However, there have been plenty of times when someone makes a group for the whole class to join, which I personally find very helpful.”
