If you have the option to attend your classes in person, do it.
In today’s virtual world, we can be fooled into believing that online classes are always more convenient and efficient. At times, this may be true. There is no disputing the upsides of online study for those learning at a distance or in less favorable socioeconomic circumstances. And when you’re juggling school with full or part-time jobs, the flexibility of online courses offer can be a lifeline.
Even so, that same flexibility comes with some downsides. The tradeoff is the lack of a structured commitment and fewer in-person interactions. In the comfort of your home, distractions may be tempting and focusing on the task at hand can be a challenge. It’s no surprise that, despite the ease and benefits of online education, the completion rates for many programs is quite low, with only about 15% of Open Universities students leaving with degrees or other qualifications.
Online learning, by default, tends to emphasize technical skills over soft-skill development. When the majority of your interactions occur through a screen, you miss out on opportunities to practice skills like reading body language, observing nonverbal cues, and discovering and sharing your unique communication style. In-person courses, on the other hand, expose you to a much larger breadth of diverse individuals, and are often designed to encourage relationship building and discussion. They force you to show up and be present, listen actively, and ask thoughtful questions.
This kind of commitment will help you develop the discipline needed to be a reliable, punctual team member. It will keep you accountable and teach you how to respectfully converse with others. Teamwork, collaboration, and interpersonal skill development are defaults of being physically present. Employers rank the ability to work on a team among the most important attributes for graduates.