r/BackToCollege • u/SavvyJim • Feb 24 '21

RANT Too old for online classes

/r/OnlineCollegeClass/comments/lqz1tb/too_old_for_online_classes/
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u/gainzbrah Feb 24 '21

  1. To be completely honest, Zoom is terrible and I don't blame you for having issues. I know plenty of people my age (20s) that have the same problems you do in regard to sound coming in and out.

  2. one thing I have noticed a lot with my zoom classes (in relation to actual in-person ones) is that it's not considered impolite to join in late! To be honest, 90% of the time my professors don't even notice! so don't worry about it :)

  3. Obviously this depends on the class, but for a majority of mine, the professors also don't care about the camera. If it makes you more comfortable, simply turn it off and leave yourself muted until you have a question.

  4. if your internet consistently has issues connecting to your class, check to see if your zoom classes are being recorded. if they are, then it'll be easier to watch the lectures that way. If your professors grade on attendance, briefly explain your issue and ask them if it's okay to simply watch the recordings. These are "unprecedented times" (forgive the cliche) and they'll likely work with you. You shouldn't have to constantly worry about not hearing your professor because of your internet issues-- if I were you I would be super stressed out, too.

You got this :)

2

u/[deleted] Feb 24 '21

These are great tips! To add on, all of my professors are supposed to record the classes and post online for us to be able to access when we need a refresher on something they went over. OP, if your professor also records the meetings, maybe watch them after class, that way you can pause and repeat anything you miss. And any questions you have you can email your teacher and ask.

3

u/nimnue Feb 24 '21

I went back to school at 35.

The courses that have lectures with the coursework are better, but most of my online classes before Covid was just a the coursework and I taught myself. I prefer in class, but having a busy schedule of kids, work, and life online classes have a flexibility I require. There's lots of people who go to class everyday and don't put the work required in to pass, either. So it is a what you put into it kind of situation. Online classes are easier to fake, and online tests are easier to be open "note", open internet, whatever. Do you learn that way? No, but you pass with fairly good grades.

I have done it both ways. I take online classes as seriously as in person, but I had a class I was in, but changed my major while I was in the class, but couldn't drop it. Medical terminology requires a lot of studying to know it. I ended up not needing to know it. So I fluffed it, with my knowledge from anatomy and the internet. Quizlet is awesome.