The reality of attending an online university

The reality of attending an online university

Even though I attend one of the leading UK universities for media related courses I still find
nthat there is always something to complain about on the programme. I am sure that it’s the
nsame story in every other top university across the country. It could be that you don’t feel as
nthough you have enough lectures to fill your week, or that you have too many lectures and too
nmuch work piled onto your schedule. Maybe you feel as though the computers at the university
nneed updating and that there are not enough books in the library?
n
nThe stately picture of university that we get from American television programmes is far from
nthe reality. Stately buildings concealing long wood panelled corridors and cosy dorm rooms
nwith huge bay windows overlooking freshly mowed lawns…the truth is quite different. You are
nmore likely to find crumbling plaster and old carpet, dusty cupboards and creaky featherweight
nbeds that you can lift with one arm. As for university lettings it’s a matter of one-word fits all,
n‘stark’.
n
nIf I had known everything I do now about the reality of university life I would have certainly
nlooked harder at the possibility of doing online courses. At the time I applied for my Honours
ndegree I was wrapped up in the idea of getting away to live in a different city for a while and
nhaving the opportunity to meet new people. The problem with this is if you are applying to a
ngood course then you won’t have the time to enjoy those things. £3000 or more is a lot of
nmoney and you should expect to get at least twenty hours of lectures and many more hours of
nhomework on top. Sitting around in strange smelling lecture halls crammed with too many
npeople and a lecturer who has never heard the words ‘voice projection’ can often leave you
nlooking around and wondering why you first wanted to come to university.
n
nIf you are a mature student then the experience can be even worse. You soon come to realise
nthat most other students are of average age 18 and have no other interests apart from the
npercentage of alcohol compared to price in each bottle of cider/cheap wine sold at the nearest
noff licence.
n
nThere are other options for those who feel that they have had enough life experience to
nwarrant not skipping away to another city to scrape by for a few years. Many people who want
nto go into higher education don’t consider the option of an online education yet this can often
nbe the best yet most overlooked opportunity.
n
nIt is always worth looking into the possibility of using distance learning

Posted Date: 2008-12-19 00:32:48