Online classes....

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I'm planning on taking Chemistry in the spring (not online), and was wondering if I should add an online class as well? I work full time and have 2 young boys (7 & 4), but I hope to do my chemistry classes in the morning before work. It will be my first online experience so I really don't know what to expect as far as busy work with it being Comp I. I know Chemistry will be a little challenging so do you think I'll have enough time to do an online class with it? Also, my last pre-req is Biology and I was going to take that over the summer next year and try that one online also. But with it being a shorter semester I was a little nervous cramming it all in in 8 weeks online. Any thoughts will be GREATLY appreciated! I'm just now going back to school after 13 years of being out:)

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I've done a few classes online and they are time consuming. You will have to self teach and show evidence of learning via submitting alot of work. In order to be an approved class, the college will need to show proof of learning, thus the courses are a little harder. You may be considering online courses because of the option to fit your schedule vs. Classroom attendance, but you mentioned you have small children at home. You may be better off in a classroom where there is less of a chance for distractions. Good luck in your studies.

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I've done a few classes online and they are time consuming. You will have to self teach and show evidence of learning via submitting alot of work. In order to be an approved class, the college will need to show proof of learning, thus the courses are a little harder. You may be considering online courses because of the option to fit your schedule vs. Classroom attendance, but you mentioned you have small children at home. You may be better off in a classroom where there is less of a chance for distractions. Good luck in your studies.

I have to agree with the above poster. Ive taken many classes online including English, Algebra, A&P, Philosophy, etc. I find that there are indeed more to do. For English i had just 4-6 papers to write if i had it on campus but online i had that plus 12+ articles to read and answer questions and a novel to read. It was so intense. Its like they think you have all this free time when really its quite the opposite. But its like what the previous post said they need to make sure you are keeping up and actually learning something. Good luck.

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I actually really enjoy online classes. I have 2 step-sons (9 & 7) and a daughter (4 months). I would not be able to get my classes in otherwise. There's great flexibility, so if you need to you can "go to class" when the kids are in bed. Luckily I have a supportive husband who will take the kids out if I have to take an online test.

Online classes aren't a cake walk, though. You still have to study hard. If you have proctored tests on campus you'll have to allow time for that. If they are at home, online, you probably won't be given enough time to look up the answers.

I do think that this is a good option for those of us that are moms. I know that it's difficult for me to get to the one class per quarter that I usually have on campus. Good luck!

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I have taken a lot of online classes and I think there are pros and cons.

Pros:

1. You can do it anywhere and on your schedule

2. You can usually use the book for quizzes and what not

3. They are easier in the sense that you have a lot of busy work (more opportunity to get points) and the teachers will usually work with you more

Cons:

1. You have to actually read the entire text book... Some chapters more than once

2. Proctored exams... Enough said

3. You have to teach yourself everything

4. WAY more time consuming

5. Really easy to get behind if you are not motivated

With that being said, if it is a course I don't "need," I would take it online bc it is a lot easier to just get through it and get it done. If it is a class with need-to-know info, I'd take it face-to-face bc you tend to retain more... At least I do. Some people prefer online courses and I do for some classes; however, I hate reading text books and learn better through face-to-face discussion.

Good luck!

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Thanks guys! I might try Biology online first over the summer because I find that interesting and it'll keep me motivated....hopefully. I need to at least try it just to see if it's something that will work for me. What about adding English online with Chemistry next semester? Do you guys think that's feasible? Or will Chemistry take up too much time by itself? Thanks again for the comments!

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Personally, I wouldn't take 2 major classes together. I always mixed a major and minor when pairing up. Also I would recommend taking majors at the college and use online for the minors. Chemistry is a hard course, I don't think you would want to pair any other science with it or any English. Save the pairing to your hum. or psy or soc. In Chemistry you will need to learn alot and English you will do research and write essays. Both are time consuming. I'm surprised your sciences are even available online. My school we have labs to attend and they are on campus. Also remember, the sciences are the foundation to your field. You would want to learn them vs. just "winging it" and passing an online course. I would recommend learning them in a classroom for that reason. The English you will need for future courses too. If you don't learn to write papers well and the proper way to cite, it will hurt your future grades and i'm not sure how much help or feedback you would get online. Just some suggestions for you to think about. We've all started the process at one time and I hope my info helps you a bit.

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The science classes do have labs, which is normally one night a week if you do the hybrid class which is lecture online and labs at school. I was going to do that for Biology. Then A&P 1 & 2 and Micrbiology in class and Eng Comp 1 & 2, Psychology, Socialogy & HumanGrowth & Dev online paired with one of the above science classes each semester. How would you pair the classes?

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