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Taking online college courses, bad decision?
I'm just out of high school. I am 18 years old and started attending a community college yesterday. Nothing about it was terrible, aside from the anxiety pouring out of me when I'm in a classroom. I felt a lack of motivation around the students. No compatibility whatsoever. I rarely identify with students my age. The education is the main reason I'm there but the other side of it is a factor... a symbol of distraction. They practically make you engage in conversation whether you like the person or not. I have struggled with mild depression and social anxiety since I was a child and it has had quite a negative effect on my entire youth. I've tried medication and therapy and it's still there.
an option I've considered is taking courses online. I've been told that I'm very intelligent, but that there is a dramatic improvement when I work independently. I suppose there's no fallacy in that, as a student in high school I struggled... then I took online courses and graduated after boosting my gpa up to 3.3.. and I could've tried even harder. I'm more determined to learn when I'm not distracted and knowledge is something that makes my life worth living... but the academic standpoint isn't the only side of it to me either. My question is whether this is a bad decision? it is MY choice of course, but I'm interested in seeing this from the perspective of others. I want to know if this would be the wrong decision.
there are alternatives I've felt more comfortable with as a means to being around people... getting a job, joining clubs, going to schools for specific interests... etc etc.
2 Answers
- ?Lv 49 years agoFavorite Answer
I was also very introverted and shy starting out in college, so I know where you're coming from. I would consider the following when it comes to online classes:
1) Can you pace yourself and keep up with a course that you don't physically have to attend? Academic work can suffer without the pressure of attending a class and not wanting to look like a fool.
2) You say that there are other way you are more comfortable around people, but a lot of the work world is being uncomfortable and taking risks. College is an opportunity to become more practiced in putting yourself out there and adapting to stressful situations.
3) By all means, take pride in being able to work independently! Lots of people can't do that these days. Just remember that while anxiety and depression explain why you have difficulty on the social side of things, that is not a good enough reason to deny yourself the chance to get better at it.
4) It's only been one day! No one feels like their first day in college is an overwhelming success (at least no one I know). College usually turns out to be a LOT better than high school, so give yourself some time to adjust and you will most likely be glad you stuck it out!
Good luck!
- ?Lv 45 years ago
I love online classes. I love the fact I can get a ton of extra credit hours without going into the actual school. It's easier on my schedule. I have about a week or so before each chapter and all the assignments are due for it. I know what you're going through. I have a bunch of health problems, and two of them are severe depression and anxiety/social anxiety. I just had my first day at a new college yesterday and I was going crazy beforehand. When I got settled into the first class, I wasn't even anxious for the rest of the day. I recommend taking courses offline that are more lectures than anything else. I would then try a class with a lab next semester. Something like an intro to bio with a lab is a great idea. You'll end up needing a partner (or group), but that's the point. You need to work on your social anxiety. The social aspect of college is one of the biggest things. What will you do after college? You'll have job interviews, you'll be seeing a bunch of people everyday (depending on your job). and so many other things that won't work well with your anxiety. You can't expect to do every class online. Science and math are not good classes to do online. More challenging classes aren't good to take online as well...
