by Anne StClair

Created on: February 03, 2009   Last Updated: November 15, 2010

I am currently a postgraduate student, studying entirely online. My first degree was on campus in the 1970s, and last year I successfully completed my BA in Literature and Composition. I've found the online experience quite different to on-campus study, with each method having both advantages and disadvantages.

One advantage of online study is flexibility and being able to fit study around work and family commitments. I still have lectures, but I don't have to get to campus at a particular time because they're on CD or online and I can listen to them any time. A good time for me is early afternoon, as I work all morning and by evening I'm too tired.

Since I'm doing postgraduate studies in English literature, I have lots of books to read, but I can do this whenever I like, such as evenings or weekends. The workload is supposed to be around 12 hours per week per subject, but some need much more than this, and some a little less, but of course, the more effort you put in, the higher your grades! Over a week, I do something most days, even if it's just checking the discussion boards. For some subjects online tutorials and discussions are compulsory, and they can be time-consuming, but they're often the most stimulating part of the study too, because of the interactions with other students. At times the discussions can be extremely lively and even heated at times.

Flexibility can also mean life throws in so many distractions there's a danger of getting behind and having to cram to catch up. Working till 2 am writing an essay that has to be in by 9 am doesn't just happen to on-campus students.

The structure of subjects and their level determines how much work is involved. I found first year undergraduate subjects easy, but the workload has increased and subjects have become more difficult, and more skill and research is required, as I've progressed.

The main drawback of online study is not meeting fellow students and lecturers, but I don't feel isolated as I've 'known' a number of students and tutors for several years now, even though I've never met them in person. I have found tutors, lecturers, and other students accessible for help via email and telephone, and the university has support staff and IT experts available to help with non-academic problems.

The advantages of on-campus studying are physically interacting with fellow students - having a coffee and a chat after a lecture, for instance. Interactions online are helpful, but it's not quite the same, and some online students seem to want no interaction at all.

Overall I preferred my on-campus studies because I lived on campus, and loved the the whole university experience, and even the architecture of the old buildings. I was younger then, and perhaps my memories are more favourable than my feelings at the time.

Education has changed a great deal since my first university degree, so perhaps comparisons are not as valid anyway. Online studies seem easier, but that is largely because education standards have been 'dumbed down' during the years since I first studied. Nevertheless, studying online has been wonderful, and I've loved every minute of it, as I loved the on-campus experience.

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