Is It Possible to Get the College Experience with Online Studies?

Online studies are an increasingly popular option for many contemporary students. And while it’s true that getting a degree online offers several uniquely appealing benefits, does doing so can come at the sacrifice of getting the full college experience? Not necessarily, as it turns out. Online students can take the following five steps to enrich their learning experiences -- no matter where they are.

1. Join a virtual club

Just because you’re not on campus doesn’t mean you can’t get involved with your university’s student organizations. Because so much of how we communicate with each other today takes place remotely, there are more opportunities than ever for students to connect with each other, staff and faculty members through online platforms. From cultural clubs to volunteer organizations, getting involved with a student group offers everything from networking to leadership development to friendship.

Wondering where to begin? Check in with your university’s student life office to learn more about clubs and organizations. Or if you have a particular interest, hobby or academic need, look for a club with a focus in that area on your school’s website.

2. Participate in course-based forums, social networks, and communities.

Most online classes have an interactive component aimed at fostering collaborative learning. Rather than meeting the bare minimum for participation, commit to becoming an active member of each course community. Studying online might seem lonely upon first glance, but there are several steps that can be taken to make sure your time as an online student is socially rich.

From asking for the input of others to responding with feedback of your own, this involvement won’t just be reflected in your grades, but will also help you hone your critical thinking and writing skills while simultaneously getting inspiration and support from others.

Another benefit of participating in online discourse? It may lead to opportunities for face-to-face meetups if you do find students in your region who are taking the same classes.

3. Choose a responsive institution.

Just as students who attend bricks-and-mortar institutions weigh the pros and cons of each college under consideration, so should online students get a better sense of what to expect from prospective online universities. Are there many resources geared toward online students? Are expectations about everything from faculty interaction and response times to how academic concerns are addressed clearly communicated? What mechanism are in place to help students handle technical difficulties, if they arise?

While questions about dorm rooms and meal plans may top the list at schools with campuses, these inquiries are equally if not more important for online students. Research shows that the better the student support services offered by online colleges, the higher their engagement and retention rates. Inquiring about the availability of and access to these services can also help ensure success once you’re enrolled.

4. Get organized.

Many students mistakenly assume that online studies involve less work than traditional college classes. This can be a myth -- particularly when you factor in the many expectations involved, including everything from assignments to participation in online forums. Just as bricks-and-mortar students benefit from devising a daily study schedule, so do online students -- perhaps even more so due to the independent nature of remote studies.

This may also mean embracing the physical, tangible aspects of student life, such as using binders to organize course materials. Taking this step help you stay on top of your online coursework as opposed to becoming overwhelmed by it. You’ll also be building a library of resources to refer to as you progress through your studies.

5. Designate a study spot.

Online studies can be liberating for students with time and space constraints. However, these constraints can also work against you without the proper planning in place. In addition to establishing a schedule defining when you’ll work, it’s also important to determine where you’ll work in lieu of the traditional school library.

Do you have a distraction-free spot at home or favorite coffee shop? Just because the bulk of your coursework is done via an online format doesn’t mean deadlines are any less real or concrete. Whether you’re taking an exam or completing an assignment, making arrangements for a school-friendly work zone is critical.

An added bonus of picking a regular spot for studying? If you do venture out to your local coffee shop or library, you’re likely to cross paths with other students. Prefer to study at home? We`ve created a guide on how to put together a study space to maximize productivity.

According to the most recent annual survey of online higher education by the Babson Survey Research Group, online learners -- number 5.8 million in the US -- now account for a full quarter of the country’s college students. Says Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Online Learning Consortium Kathleen S. Ives, “The trend of increasing distance education enrollments in the face of declining overall higher ed enrollments suggests an important shift in the American higher education landscape, with contemporary learners leaning into online options. The majority of academic leaders recognize this and understand online learning is critical to their institutions' long-term strategy.”

This is good news if you’re considering online studies as it means that universities will increasingly prioritize supporting online students. Still, the cultivation of a true college experience won’t happen on its own -- for either traditional or online students. Why not? Because true belongingness happens only when you first commit yourself to being part of something. These five steps are a great first step in that direction.