Studying Online VS Studying On Campus

Choosing between studying online and studying on campus can sometimes put you in a tight spot.

On the one hand, you want to take advantage of technology and get all the information you need on the go. At the same time, you want to feel the ambience of an academic environment and interact with people physically.

If this is you right now, you don’t have to stress yourself out. The most important thing is knowing that no matter what you end up deciding to do, your choice is valid.

Factors that Determine How People Learn

In choosing between online and classroom learning, there’s really no right or wrong choice. At the end of the day, you’ll only decide what’s best for you based on your present realities.

In light of this, we’d like to mention 2 main factors that influence how people choose their learning path.

1. Cost

Getting certified in certain specialised qualifications often requires paying higher tuition fees. But the difference in the cost between studying online and studying on campus can be significant.

2. Lifestyle Preferences

Flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of modern education. No matter how busy you are, you’ll always find an academic program that supports your current lifestyle.

Working in a job full-time or being a stay-at-home-parent, for example, shouldn’t stop you from getting a professional qualification. You’re just an enquiry away from finding program that accommodates your personal schedule. Go on, find it.

Pros and Cons of Studying Online VS On Campus

There are ups and downs to both online and classroom learning. Here are some of the main ones which you can use as a guideline when deciding what’s best for you.

Advantages of Online Learning

1. Flexibility

You can study from anywhere; your bedroom, a cafe, on the train. Just name it. As long as you have an internet connection and a stable gadget, nothing stops you from learning. If your classes are recorded, you’re also free to attend class at a time that’s convenient for you. That’s because you have 24/7 access to your portal.

2. Affordable cost

Studying online tends to be much more affordable than studying on campus. While studying on campus can attract additional costs like housing, meals, textbooks and transportation, the tuition is the only payable fee in most online courses. Don’t forget to factor in the added time and energy required for commuting!

The other advantages of studying online include accessible entry requirements, higher levels of technology used tends to make things easier for you, less peer pressure, and the ability to grow at your pace.

Disadvantages of Online Learning

As flexible as online learning can be, it has certain drawbacks. Some of them are that:

• It’s not suitable for hands-on courses like medicine, art, engineering etc.
• You need a lot of self-motivation and discipline to get results.
• It’s easy to lose focus.
• Limited access to peer learning

Advantages of Campus Learning

1. Discipline

If you don’t mind following a regular routine, you’ll definitely find this mode of learning interesting. Studying on campus is also great for enforcing discipline and structure on your learning. Even if you’re the slow-moving type, there’s that extra pressure to help you turn up to classes on time, participate in group work, and meet assignment deadlines.

2. Communication

Having people around you can improve your communication and interpersonal skills in a great way. Learning gets more fun when you interact with students and lecturers! You get to take part in fun campus events, meet people in real-time, and build new relationships. That’s an experience you truly don’t want to miss.

The other advantages of studying on campus are peer learning opportunities, networking, soaking up the college culture, and so on.

Disadvantages of Studying on Campus

• It offers less flexibility
• Studying on campus can be more expensive
• Competition may be higher.
• A pandemic can slow down an academic calendar.
• Geographical restriction

The Different Learning Styles and How They Impact Your Mode of Learning

Are you worried about finding a platform that actually suits your learning style? That shouldn’t be a challenge at all. Nowadays, you’ll find programs, both offline and online, that are tailored for all the available learning styles.

Let’s quickly do a run-through on learning styles and the most suitable learning platform for each of them.

1. Visual learning: relies on the use of pictures, images, or video to drive home the point.
Winner: Online and campus learning

2. Aural learning: suitable for people who retain the most information after listening to music or audio recording.
Winner: Online learning.

3. Kinaesthetic learning: Kinaesthetic learners prefer doing things physically.
Winner: Campus learning.

4. Social learning: social learners thrive better in group activities.
Winner: Campus learning

5. Solitary learning: people who prefer this method are at their best when they work alone.
Winner: Online learning

6. Verbal learning: sometimes called linguistic learning. Verbal learners vibe a lot with the use of language. They respond well to written or spoken words.
Winner: Online and campus learning

7. Logical learning: this category of learners are mathematically inclined. They prefer learning with logic and mathematical structures.
Winner: Campus learning.

Which learning styles do you think suit you best? It’s common for people to have more than one. Chat to our team today to learn about the range of course styles that we have available for you. https://pacifictraining.edu.au/courses/