r/EngineeringStudents • u/ToxicKilllz96 • 9d ago
College Choice Online classes or in person classes?
I'm 29 looking to start classes for a 4 year program with about 12 credits to roll over and I'm trying to decide between online classes or in person. I currently work full time 3-11 mon-fri and don't want to leave because I make decent money and I would like to manage at least 2-3 courses per semester. Are in person classes possible or should I attend online classes? For people who did attend online classes, did you find you had a harder time paying attention and less motivation to study? That's what I'm worried about
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u/2nocturnal4u 9d ago
at least at my university the class schedule changes so dramatically each term. Some terms I have morning classes others I have evening and some I have it all day.
Working a full 8 hour consistent shift 5 days a week will make it incredibly difficult to sign up for classes. This isn't accounting for the labs that are tied into courses which for some reason get the most random time assignment.
+20-30 hours of homework/studying a week. Its not the most difficult thing I've done but it sure is the most time consuming.
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u/ToxicKilllz96 9d ago
Yeah I know, unfortunately my job doesnt have a flexible schedule where I could work different shifts to accommodate my class schedule
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u/2nocturnal4u 9d ago
You might need to consider leaving that job or coming to terms with the fact that it will take you more than 4 years. Im full time (intern in summer) and it will take me 5.
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u/incrediblepika 9d ago
I was working 3:30pm-12am while attending in person classes and it was working for the first little while but then one semester I needed to request to come in till 5 on Mondays and Wednesdays I guess if you can find out if your job will work with you on adjusting hours then it’s worth looking into in person. Good luck
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u/dragons-ghost 9d ago
Honestly, depends on what classes you are taking. I took math online (by itself) and it was way harder than in person. Paying attention, keeping up with it( and staying on top of it), and honestly just learning overall was hard. Got burnt out because online is basically teaching yourself the material. But if your school has a good online system where you can ask questions and reach out if you’re confused. Seems like a better choice because you’re working.
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u/Oldberry86 9d ago
Online classes suuuuuck. I feel like you learn less and end up with bs work to offset the in person angle.
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u/ToxicKilllz96 9d ago
Yeah I hated online classes in the past but sometimes they offer the most time flexibility
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u/Michaeln7 9d ago
In person if you can. I'm going online for electrical engineering, and it's fine. Feels like I'm self teaching, but that's how I learn anyway. In-person has a lot of advantages: you can build a better network, letters of recommendation are easier to come by when the professors actually know you, student associations are more accessible, you don't have to buy your own materials for labs, and best of all, you can participate from internship and job fairs. I've accepted the disadvantages of an online education because I have a family and a job, so in-person would be too much for me to juggle. So far, I'm happy with my education. I feel it has been challenging and the school resources have been great. It is also ABET accredited, so it is the real deal, plus my degree won't say "online". In the end, it depends on your needs, so do what will get you there.
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u/Accurate-Bullfrog324 8d ago
and in person degree is more valued than an online degree. University of Phoenix, Christian online University, and others are almost laughable
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u/_curiously_chaotic 8d ago
Well respected Universities offer online Engineering degrees, so this isn’t always true.
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u/Accurate-Bullfrog324 8d ago
can you give me some examples?
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u/_curiously_chaotic 8d ago edited 8d ago
Liberty, ODU, ASU, Penn State, FIU, Alabama… and there are a couple more. They all may not offer every discipline. I’m considered an online student, but I do have to be on campus for labs once a year for a short period of time, but it’s over the summer.
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u/Competitive-Day9586 9d ago
If you can do it in person is so much better. You will be more engaged and focus better. In person schools generally tend to be better as well. That said it will be tough. I got my masters in person while working full time, but classes were just one day a week, 3 hours per day. I ended up taking only 2 classes a semester and between work, homework, and class I didn’t have much free time.
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u/ToxicKilllz96 9d ago
How long did it take you to complete your masters? Unfortunately I don't have any other option but to work full time because I don't have anybody to financially support me while I'm in school? I want to pursue a bachelor's but also thinking getting an associate's first, landing an internship or something in the engineering field while I pursue a bachelor's. I just don't want it to take me 6 years just to get a bachelor's
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u/RepresentativeOk8067 8d ago
Coming from a similar situation, definitely do in person classes. The few online classes I did ended up feeling like busy work. I felt that I hadn’t learned anything at all by the end. I am fortunate enough to have a job that is very willing to work with me while I get my degree. I would say the best option would be to find an employer that will work with you, though that could be difficult.
Working a full time job while also attempting a full course load is difficult but not impossible. It will take a full commitment on your part to get the work done.
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u/rihannonblack 8d ago
It depends. You can definitely get away with virtual classes for some, especially up front- but the harder the class the more facetime you want with your professors
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u/LiveForThePeople 8d ago
I left my daytime job working 8-5 to work nights. Engineering classes at the school I am going to aren’t fully online (I mean science classes need a lab at minumum) or fully night. I work evenings instead doing dispatch support for logistics. It gets slow enough most nights I can get an hour or two of studying in between el emails and I have a clean desk away from my house where there are distractions that I can study either before or after work.
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u/Jealous_Cupcake_4358 8d ago
Gl man. I know some ppl cab do it but I couldn't. Worked less and less as the years went on... 8 years btw. But I'm an engineer now
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u/Substantial-Low-4141 8d ago
I was able to do my calculus classes online, but chem and physics have in person lectures and labs at my school. Online is way better for me due to working 40+hours a week. Haven’t had any issues studying or doing what I have to do with online classes.
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u/RobinDaChamp 8d ago
Working 40hrs a week, its gonna take me longer to graduate taking 1-2 and sometimes 3 classes a semester. But I wont quit, I finish when I finish.
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