Transitioning from online course to traditional ones

[NavyEnlisted]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello All,

At the end of the year I am leaving the military. This also means I will be transitioning from online courses to traditional classes. It is just starting to set in, but I am nervous about this transition. I feel like I have adapted to the online format and I don't know how I will do switching back to traditional schooling. Does anyone have any experience in this area?

 

[NavyEnlisted]

Yeah the school is SUNY Oswego and they do have a great veteran's program, its just the anxiety of switching formats completely that has me thinking. I do not wanna knock online courses, but I think they are easier than traditional classes. I went to UMUC for my undergrads and Liberty for my Masters btw. It was the best thing available while out at sea.

 

[BlastedHeath]

I'm doing it this semester. I've gotten a business degree online for the last few years, but now I am starting post bacc to get my prereqs done on campus. I'm anxious about the transition as well. Half of my classes started last week and even just sitting in a classroom felt weird. I think the hardest transition for me is going to be just the timing of things. With my online classes, if I'm tired in the afternoon, I take a nap, and as long as my schoolwork is done before midnight, I'm great. I love that flexibility. Now I've got evening classes, and a not insignificant commute to school, and while my schedule is very doable, it is a fairly jarring transition and I expect it to take a few weeks to adjust. I think the only thing I can really do to prepare is to be as organized as possible, not get behind on the material, and keep a good schedule. It is hard to judge difficulty of the material at this point, but it is reasonable to assume that the hard science courses will be more difficult than my business courses.

 

[NavyEnlisted]

Thanks for the input. That is what I like about online as well, whenever I can get around to doing it , I do it. I am on no real schedule to get work done. I know the real world does that though. I guess the one thing I have going for me is the fact I will not have to work during my prereqs. I think that will help me out quite a bit actually. I plan on getting a lot of volunteering in and maybe get a small part time job as a CNA for experience. It just depends on what I can find in the area. I really just have anxiety about sitting in class with a bunch of younger kids fresh out of high school and trying to find a group to study with if I get behind.

 

[KaBoom'd]

In my experience, face to face is so much better than online. Sometimes I wish my university recorded lectures, but I'd rather be there in person.

I can be a monster when it comes to procrastination, but the fact that I'm looking that teacher in the face 2 or 3 times a week forces me to come to class much more prepared.

Switched last semester and aced the first sections and labs of biology, chemistry and physics while working. I was anxious as well and ended up putting in 25% of the work I had anticipated for those grades. You'll kill it. As far as being in class with kids, it's kind of like encountering wild life - "they're more afraid of you than you are of them."

 

[NavyEnlisted]

Awesome. Are you prior military as well?

 

[KaBoom'd]

Yeah, I'm actually still in. I definitely had a unique experience last semester that enabled me to work my own schedule as long as I took care of business. I also "paid it forward" and my CO is super supportive of helping me be successful with my transition. I only have time for chem 2 this spring and I'm separating from active duty in May.

 

[NavyEnlisted]

Wow that is awesome. I wish we had the facilities out here for that. You are getting a wonderful head start on those prereqs. Best of luck to you.

 

[beachside]

It's a little different. You'll do fine though. Try to start off on the right foot, by getting your books 1-2 weeks in advance and reading the first few chapters (and doing problems) if possible. Overall it's not much different, just a little harder, and you have to sometimes sit through awful lectures.

 

[Rogert]

Find out if Oswego has a student veteran organization. Albany has one and it's a fantastic group.

 

[NavyEnlisted]

Find out if Oswego has a student veteran organization. Albany has one and it's a fantastic group.

This is the first time I have heard of this.Thanks for the heads up