What Learning Option is Right for You?
Over the past two years, many students found themselves learning from home, often while juggling working from home and helping their children learn from home. As universities open back up and the VA has declared that in-person requirements are effective for the spring semester, it's time to figure out what your next step is.
Luckily, there are several options for learning these days. Some people prefer the in-person, traditional classroom, while others find it easier to do their courses online. Several universities are also offering a flexible option that gives the student a choice.
Remember, if you are taking all online courses, your monthly housing allowance will reflect the online amount and not the amount based on the geographic location of your academic institution.
Types of Learning Options
In-Person
Students and instructors can communicate regularly and in-person when classes are taught in person or synchronously in real-time. Group discussions are possible, assignments may be reviewed quickly by peers, and there is an opportunity for additional activities to be conducted.
Online
Thanks to technology, most of the same things that a student gets in an in-person class can be done in an online class, but not all of them. Sometimes, technology gets in the way, and not all online classes are live-streamed. Often, they are without lectures and rely on the student to complete the readings and assignments independently with minimal instructor oversight.
Combination
Many student veterans like the combination of online learning and in-person classes. It helps, of course, that when students fulfill the residency requirements for the institution by attending at least one class of one course in person.
The benefit of a combination is that you can see your professor and develop a relationship with them in person, and still work at your own pace when at home. It allows you to work around your schedule yet still see and work with classmates.
How to Determine What's Right For You?
No one can make this decision for you, but you may be able to get some advice from other student veterans who have already made their decision. For example, if you don't want to move your family (again) to go to school somewhere, you may opt for the online or combination option. If the school you want to go to is in your hometown, in-person classes may be the right option.
Whichever learning option you choose, work hard and then reevaluate for the next semester. Sometimes life throws you a curve, and you may change your mind.
Ready to learn more about navigating the higher education system as a veteran? Start here.
