Online Intro Chem class

[StL_Momma27]

I was thinking about taking an online Chemistry class this summer. The advisor at my school advised not to take it this summer. I am trying to figure out how difficult this class would be if I tried it in the summer? I would be devoting all of my time toward the class, so I just need some opinions.

Has anyone tried an online Chem class and how bad/good was it??

[tanelson]

This is just my two cents, because I haven't taken an online Chem class, though I have taken 30+ hours online. Online courses are harder in my opinion, because there is a lot more responsibility on the student. They are more time-intensive, and there are limited hours in which you can seek help if you don't understand something - especially if you are studying from a distance, like I am (I live over an hour away from my nearest campus). Does this class have a lab? If so, I would say take it on-campus, in-person, if possible. I have saved all of my science classes (that require labs) till the end so I can attend class instead of taking them online. I am of the belief that there are valuable things that can be learned in an actual lab than can be learned in a simulated lab environment. Plus, I am one of those people that learns much more quickly doing things hands-on. This is just my opinion, of course. I think that it's definitely do-able if you're only taking one class that term, but if it were me, I would wait and take a class on-campus.

Also - what was your advisor's reasoning for not taking it during the summer? I have a great advisor who has told me what classes to avoid and what to take when because of kinks in the programs they use and the like. For example - she told me not to take a public speaking course online because they have all sorts of problems with it. I was also advised not to take algebra online, though I did it anyway because I have always been pretty strong in math. It has been a lot harder than I expected it to be, but I am still getting an A.

I really think you would be fine, but those are just a few things to think about. :)

[NorCalKid]

OK I’ll add my 2 cents. I think it would be tough. I took a regular intro to Chem class in the summer and got a B. It was really hard for me to learn it in a 6 week class. Just to give you an idea, I had no problem getting A’s in Anatomy and Phys. in the normal school year. But I couldn’t pull it off in that stupid summer Chem class. If I had a choice I wouldn’t take it in the summer (Classroom or online). But if it would set me back a semester by not taking it I would go ahead and take it. It probably didn’t help that I was working but even the students that didn’t work had problems.