Online Classes

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2008

I got my BSN online and did pretty good. I still worked hard. The tests were nice because I could have my books open and another window open with Google, but they were timed so I really had to know my stuff for the most part.

sunray12 · Nov 17, 2008

I'm taking prereqs online. Exams for online classes are taken at the campus learning center - this is standard at community colleges in my state. I also do some labs on campus. So I am usually on campus one or two days/week but not at a set time like I would for on campus classes. If you work and/or have a family you'll like the convenience.

Mossback · Nov 17, 2008

I've taken a number of online classes and like them very much. However, they do require a higher level of self-discipline and organization than conventional classes. Most students who run into trouble in online classes do so because they fall behind.

If you're well organized and a self-starter, you'll likely do fine. If not, maybe it would be a good idea to just start with a single online class.

As far as your proposed curriculum is concerned, I think English I and med term are well suited to the online approach, statistics perhaps less so. I'm currently taking statistics in a conventional class that's running in parallel with an online class. Despite having the same teacher, same text, same material, and same assignments, students in the online section are performing substantially worse than those in the conventional class.

In any case, good luck!

nika1980 · Nov 17, 2008

I am finishing up my MPH online, just stay organized and make time for studying.

justme1972 · Nov 17, 2008

I personally would find taking statistics very, very difficult online because Math books, in general tend to be very poorly constructed.

However, if you are good at Math to start with, then I'm sure it won't be a problem.

Aurora77 · Nov 17, 2008

I'm taking a hybrid chem class this semester. The course work is online, we meet for the labs once a week. It's the first online class I've taken and it's been way more work than I anticipated.

I've been out of college for 10 years, so my study skills were a little rusty. It's been challenging, but definitely do-able. I plan on taking as many online classes as I can from here on out. I'd rather be studying, taking notes, etc, while being at home with my husband than spending hours in class.

BusyMomof5 · Nov 17, 2008

I have to chime in and give my :twocents: about this one. I am taking Statistics online this quarter. I have taken other classes online BUT....I would Not recommend taking several other classes w/ Stats. I don't think Statistics is so much of "Math" in the way most people think of math. It's so much more than solving equations. You must understand the concepts which are pretty foreign to most people. Also, you may have never used your TI for Stats, so there's a big learning curve there as well. There are so many concepts that the book does an OK job explaining, but when you are online, you don't have the advantage of raising your hand and saying "I'm not getting it, can you explain it a different way?".

I would make sure you have plenty of resources to go to if you are getting confused or do not understand something. I would check to see if your instructor has office hours, and HOW many office hours. My instructor is only avail 2 X per week for 30 minutes which isn't a whole lot. Also, see if your tutoring center has a Stats tutor. We have one at my CC but, he is dealing with several classes and he's only 1 person - and only offers it twice a week - during the day. I have a family and 5 small kids so getting a babysitter to go to the Stats tutor in the middle of the day...tough..Also, I would try to get a study group going right away. For whatever reason I the people in my class aren't interested in studying together, so I'm on my own :-(. For what it's worth, Math moves VERY fast, we cover about 3.5 chapters per week. So, you really have to stay on top of things.

I think the class is doable but you MUST commit a ton of time into it...and go into it with eyes wide open. Good luck! :up:

nika1980 · Nov 17, 2008

Well, I have taken stats 1 and stats 2 in my undergraduate career. Last year, I took biostats online for my graduate classes, I got a B, it depends on the person, it is challenging but doable.

BusyMomof5 · Nov 17, 2008

I have done Quickbooks certification online and things like that, but never an actual college course.

I think Stats is a class MOST people would agree is a HARD class. I guess you just need to make sure you can dedicate a lot of time to school. One homework assignment can take hours. You mentioned something about homelife. If you have a family and you are taking A&P, English, and Med Term, I would say that's a TON to bite off if you've never taken college classes. Just my opinion - trying to give you a realistic idea of how to gage it.. good luck!

kalley · Nov 17, 2008

Thanks everyone for your input. I am decent at math. That being said, I haven't had a math class in 10 years. I really don't know what to expect from statistics, it is labeled in the course book as elementary statistics, so I don't know if that makes any difference. I went ahead and registered for it because classes fill up quickly. If I find anything else that I would like to take I might switch, but for now I am keeping it.

I am taking A&P I, Chem, Human Development, and Wellness this semester and handling it well. I actually just got my 1st B on a test today, everything else has been A's. I don't know if that lets you know how much I can handle.

I do have 2 kids and a husband at home to tend to. That is why I am switching to online classes. Thanks again for your input, it is really appreciated.

dee78 · Nov 17, 2008

I have to agree about Statistics online. I took it while taking A&P1 online this past summer (abbrev. course). I pulled an A in Stats and a B in A&P but it was very hard. I can't imagine taking 12 hours.

I will be taking my nursing classes online as well, with clinicals and labs on campus/hospital.