The Realities of Online Learning: Honest Advice from USU Online Students
Prospective students often read about the undeniable benefits of online learning, like the flexibility of listening to lectures while you go for a walk or do the dishes, but that doesn't fully convey what earning a degree online is really like. It is easy enough to envision a stress-free environment where coursework magically fits into your free time and discussion boards bring genuine connection with your classmates, but the reality is often much more complex.
I asked actual USU Online students to share their perspectives to give you an honest look at what being an online student is like. From the hurdles of time management to the triumphs of graduations and promotions, here is what they had to say about navigating the digital classroom.
Reality #1: Transitioning to Online Learning
The transition to online learning comes with its own unique learning curve, and many students are surprised by how different it is from the traditional classroom. One of the biggest misconceptions is that online courses lack structure. As Bexar, a senior Agribusiness student at USU taking online classes and living in the Uintah Basin, pointed out, you quickly learn that "deadlines don't float just because you're not sitting in a classroom."
Another common hurdle for beginners is simply navigating the digital infrastructure. Many students wished they had spent more time learning Canvas early in the semester before frantically searching for the right tutorial 15 minutes before submitting an assignment they realized they didn't know how to submit.
Make sure you know when you register whether you’re taking an asynchronous (noted in the course catalog as "online") course or a synchronous (noted as "virtual") course. Asynchronous courses do not require you to attend class at specific times, while synchronous courses happen in real time, requiring students to log in and participate on set days and times. You want to make sure you know how much live interaction to expect from both other students and your instructor as you plan your transition into online learning.
Reality #2: Balancing the Juggling Act
For most online students, college is just one piece of a very demanidng puzzle. Out students are parents, caregivers, partners, full-time professionals, and community members. Bexar put it well: "When the need rose in more than one of those roles at the same time, I had to decide which took precedence. The work is doable. Finding a streth of quiet hours that isn't already spoek for is the fight."
To manage this juggling act, current students highly recommend setting firm boundaries, adjusting your family';s expectations, and asking for help. Advisors, instructors, tutors, student success coaches, peers, and plenty of others are here to help you succeed.
If you are struggling to find balance, consider these additional student-tested strategies:
- Invest in a visual calendar: Hang an extra-large physical calendar or link Canvas directly to your Google Calendar so you can see your deadlines and life events in one place.
- Be realistic about your commitments: Don't take 12 credits every semester when you usually only pass six of those credits. Don't agree to work overtime when you're already behind on homework. Sarah, a non-traditional student returning after a long break, said, "There is a balance that is different for everyone, and it can be uncomfortable and difficult to accept that things will not always work exactly the way that we would like them to." Pace yourself, prioritize, and don’t expect perfection.
- Protect your downtime: Pick at least one day a week to completely step away from homework to focus on your family, hobbies, and mental health.
- Dedicate physical space to studying: Find a coffee shop you love or a cozy corner in your house or wherever it is that you can consistently go to study. Reserve a study room at your local library or USU's library if you live close to a physical campus. Regularly studying in the same space helps your brain move into study mode faster.
Reality #3: Staying Connected and Motivated
Learning online is sometimes isolating because you don’t have the guarantee of meeting your fellow students in class a couple times a week. For some students, part of the appeal of online classes is getting to opt out of the social elements of college, but that isn’t true for everyone.
For students who want to build community, it's possible! Ryan, a current online student, shared his experience joining a club: "Even though before I joined, they wouldn’t livestream the club meetings, when I asked about it, they were super accommodating and livestreamed the meetings for me."; Multiple students mentioned using Discord servers to chat with classmates while they worked on homework together. The hardest part for many students is that the onus is often on you to cut through isolation and reach out.
One graduating senior commented on the increased level of motivation required to succeed in an online course: "Do not procrastinate!" More than a few students shared their strategies of placing goals and rewarding themselves with something small like dinner out with a friend after achieving each goal.
When life gets incredibly loud, one student recommended "shrinking the goal." Instead of stressing over an entire project, focus on writing just one page, submitting one form, or completing a discussion post. Every little step gets you closer to graduation!
Reality #4: It's Worth It!
You want to go to college for a reason, so keep that reason in mind through the ups and downs. Whether you’re pursuing childhood dreams, aiming for that promotion, working to provide a better life for your family, or whatever else has you considering a degree, it’ll be worth it.