Living and studying on campus doesn’t prevent you from taking advantage of online learning opportunities. Cheap or free online tech courses are popular because the skills you gain are useful and versatile.
In addition, on-campus students are often eligible to take some of their degree classes online, including fully online courses and mixed-mode subjects.
Being open to online study can be beneficial. You can improve your schedule, course selections, and graduate skillset.
Examples of On-Campus Students Taking Online Classes
Many on-campus students incorporate online classes into their schedules to enhance their learning experiences. Here are three examples of students who have successfully integrated online courses into their academic routines.
Example 1: Tech Course Student
Sarah is a computer science major who lives in a dorm room on campus. She takes several online tech courses, including web development and data science, to supplement her degree. These online courses allow her to explore specialized topics and learn at her own pace.
Example 2: Hybrid Program Student
James is enrolled in a hybrid program combining on-campus and online classes. He spends his mornings attending traditional lectures and labs for his engineering degree. His afternoons are dedicated to online courses in project management and business analytics.
Example 3: Convenience Seeker
Emily, a psychology major, initially took all her classes on campus. However, after finding it challenging to fit everything into her schedule, she switched some of her general education and elective courses to online formats. Now, she takes history and sociology classes online, freeing up her schedule to engage more in campus activities.
Can You Live on Campus but Take Online Classes?
Yes, you can include online classes in your study program while living on campus. Some exceptions include international students on a student visa and programs without online courses.
Universities and colleges generally allow students to mix online and on-campus classes. This setup offers the best of both worlds. You get the vibrant social life and resources on campus, plus the flexibility of online learning. You can join clubs, attend events, and use campus facilities, all while managing online coursework.
The flexibility of online classes is great for busy schedules. You can avoid scheduling conflicts and customize your learning experience. Online courses often let you take classes not available on campus or that fill up quickly. This is useful for fulfilling general education requirements or taking interesting electives.
However, online learning requires extra self-discipline and time management skills. You must stay motivated and organized. But, combining on-campus living with online courses can provide a rich, balanced college experience.
Related: 7 Characteristics of Successful Online Learners
Student Accommodation for Hybrid Learning
Living on campus while taking some or most of your courses online offers both advantages and disadvantages.
Better learning experience
Living at college gives you access to campus resources. You can use libraries, study spaces, gyms, and attend campus events, all of which enrich your college experience. Living on campus also means you’re part of a vibrant student community. This makes it easy to form study groups, participate in clubs, and make new friends.
Another advantage is the structured environment. Campus life provides a routine that can help keep you focused and disciplined. Additionally, being close to faculty and academic support services can enhance your learning experience. It’s easier to attend office hours or seek help from tutoring centers.
Need for better accommodation
As an online learner, you need even better accommodation because you’ll spend more time where you reside. Comfortable and quiet spaces help maintain productivity so you can stay on top of your coursework. Also, consider that dorm life can be noisy and full of social activities.
Student accomodation for online study
I searched the student accommodation platform Amber Student to find the best types of housing for students who are online much of the time. Studios and ensuite rooms seem ideal due to their privacy and quiet. These options often include private bathrooms and a kitchenette, minimizing disturbances.
Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) can also be a good choice as you gain high-quality amenities like study areas and reliable internet. Student dorms with quiet hours and study halls can provide a balance between social engagement and a good study environment.
In terms of cost, the cheapest student housing options are typically shared apartments or non-ensuite rooms. These are budget-friendly but may lack the quiet and privacy needed for intensive online study. So, you may want to pay a little extra to get the most out of your online classes.
Tech Classes Online
Technology courses are an excellent way to supplement education and prepare for future careers. Numerous online platforms provide tech courses that complement university offerings. Here are some top online courses to consider.
1. Excel Training with Excel University
- Platform: Excel University. Subscription options available.
- Details: Excel University offers various training passes that provide access to their entire catalog of Undergraduate and Masters lessons. These include training videos, practice files, and live Office Hours. Options range from self-service Study Passes to comprehensive Campus Passes that include gamified learning features.
2. Data Analytics Tutorial for Beginners: A Step-By-Step Guide
- Platform: Simplilearn. Free.
- Duration: 1 hour of learning.
- Details: This quick tutorial is designed to help beginners start their journey in data analytics. It provides an introduction to essential topics like Python libraries (NumPy and Pandas), data visualization, and business intelligence tools.
3. Introduction to Computer Science (CS50) by Harvard University
- Platform: edX. Audit for Free. Add a Verified Certificate for $219.
- Duration: 10 hours per week for 11 weeks.
- Details: A beginner-level course providing insights into computer science. It covers programming essentials, algorithms, data structures, software engineering, and web development.
4. Python for Everybody by the University of Michigan
- Platform: Coursera. Included with Coursera Plus. Financial aid available.
- Duration: 2 months at 10 hours per week.
- Details: This beginner-level Specialization covers the basics of Python programming, data structures, networked application interfaces, and databases. It includes hands-on projects to build skills in coding and data analysis. A shareable certificate is available.
5. Web Development Bootcamp by Colt Steele
- Platform: Udemy. Current price A$34.99 (Original Price A$74.99). Included with Udemy Personal Plan starting at A$19.00 per month after trial. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
- Duration: 73.5 hours of on-demand video.
- Details: This extensive course covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Node.js, React, and more. It’s perfect for those interested in building websites or web applications. The course includes hands-on projects, coding exercises, and full lifetime access. Shareable certificate.
6. Machine Learning by Stanford University
- Platform: Coursera. Included with Coursera Plus. Financial aid available.
- Duration: 2 months at 10 hours per week.
- Details: This beginner-friendly Specialization, taught by AI visionary Andrew Ng, provides a robust foundation in machine learning. It covers supervised learning (linear and logistic regression, neural networks), unsupervised learning (clustering, anomaly detection), and best practices for machine learning development. Build real-world AI applications.
7. Data Science Specialization by Johns Hopkins University
- Platform: Coursera. Included with Coursera Plus. Financial aid available.
- Duration: 7 months at 10 hours per week.
- Details: This ten-course Specialization introduces data science, covering R programming, data cleaning, analysis, and visualization. Explore the data science pipeline from data acquisition to publication, and use GitHub to manage projects. You’ll be guided through regression analysis, machine learning, and practical applications for data scientists.
8. Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Platform: Coursera. Included with Coursera Plus. Financial aid available.
- Duration: 6 months at 10 hours per week.
- Details: This beginner-level Professional Certificate program prepares you for a career in IT support. Train in networking, operating systems, system administration, and security. Developed by Google, the course includes hands-on labs and projects. Gain expertise in troubleshooting, customer service, cloud computing. Shareable certificate available.
9. Introduction to Cyber Security Specialization by NYU
- Platform: Coursera. Included with Coursera Plus. Financial aid available.
- Duration: 2 months at 10 hours per week.
- Details: This beginner-level course covers the basics of cybersecurity, including risk management and cryptography. Learn the main purposes of cybersecurity, develop lifelong learning plans for potential careers, and understand the pros and cons of various security methods. A shareable certificate is available.
10. Full-Stack Web Development with React Specialization
- Platform: Coursera. Included with Coursera Plus. Financial aid available.
- Duration: 3 months at 10 hours per week.
- Details: Master full-stack development using React, Node.js, Express, and MongoDB. This course covers the structure and styling of mobile-friendly web pages using HTML5, CSS3, and the Bootstrap framework. You’ll learn to add interactive behavior to web pages with JavaScript and develop Single Page Applications (SPAs) using the React library.
11. Blockchain Basics by University at Buffalo
- Platform: Coursera. Included with Coursera Plus. Financial aid available.
- Duration: 2 months at 10 hours per week.
- Details: Gain an understanding of blockchain technology, Bitcoin, and cryptocurrency. The course covers smart contracts, decentralized applications, and the blockchain paradigm shift. Learn to design and program smart contracts, understand blockchain technology, and develop innovative application models.
12. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate by A Cloud Guru
- Platform: Udemy. Current price A$17.99 (Original Price A$32.99). Included with Udemy Personal Plan starting at A$19.00 per month after trial. 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.
- Duration: 26.5 hours of on-demand video.
- Details: This course prepares you for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. It covers all essential AWS services, their interactions, and how to build fault-tolerant and highly available applications. The course includes practice tests, assignments, and hands-on labs for thorough preparation.
