Advantages and disadvantages of studying from home

Have you ever considered pursuing your studies without having to travel?

Distance learning or online learning is a good option for many students who choose to study from home.. If only a few decades ago there were hardly any options to carry out this type of training, today, many universities and training institutions have a Wide range of masters, postgraduate and online courses. In fact, many universities allow undergraduate courses to be taken in a single evaluation format, which makes it possible for the home to become a great study classroom.

The comfort of our home, lack of time or the impossibility of combining work and studies is no longer a barrier thanks to online or distance learning.

Difference between online and distance learning

Both online and distance learning are two equally good options for those who choose to study from home. These terms, which are similar, are sometimes confused and used interchangeably.

While both types of training refer to non-face-to-face learning, online training is that which takes place at home,online training is training using ICT (e.g. virtual campus).. Distance learning, on the other hand, is characterized by the fact that it does not use new information and communication technologies; instead, students are self-taught but do not use an online learning platform. For example, after receiving books, they can prepare for an exam from home. Both types of training are often used together and combined.

Advantages of studying from home

The advantages of studying from home are many. In the following lines we explain them to you.

1. No need to travel

Especially in those cases in which the educational center is far from the place where we live, online and distance learning can be a good alternative. Opting for these options invites you to study from home and save time, in addition to saving on transportation. Undoubtedly, it is ideal for those days when the weather is bad or you don't feel like leaving home..

2. Wide range of studies

Nowadays, many educational institutions offer a large number of training actions, as they are aware that many students cannot attend their classes in person. Those who want to study from home can take master's, postgraduate and specialized courses. The range of courses is very wide.

3. Flexible timetable

One of the great advantages of studying from home is the flexibility of the timetable, because students can decide their study schedule according to their needs. In many cases, a simple Internet connection is enough to communicate with the tutor, download the necessary material and even make evaluations and have access to the virtual campus 24 hours a day.

4. It is usually cheaper

Since online training offers more places for students, the tuition is also cheaper than classroom training. If you want your pocket to feel it, this type of training is a good alternative. Also, studying from home is cheaper because you don't have to pay for transportation.

5. Convenience

The comfort is much greater when you study from home. You can study at your own pace and without being disturbed. However, you must find a quiet place and you must have the willpower to be self-motivated and complete the tasks that the courses require.

Disadvantages of studying from home

Studying from home also has its disadvantages. But what are they? Here are some of them.

1. Problems with doing internships

Practical learning is really useful for students, who can test their skills and also hone their knowledge. Studying from home can lead to less experiential learning, so they may not benefit from this type of teaching..

• If you want to know more about this type of learning, you can read our article, "The 13 types of learning: what are they?"

2. Limited social interaction

While it is true that many courses allow you to interact with other students in forums, studying from home limits social interaction and can cause study to become impersonal.. On the other hand, face-to-face training makes it possible to make new friends and work in a group.

• One type of group learning is collaborative learning, which has its benefits. You can learn more in our article, "Collaborative learning: what is it and what are its benefits?"

3. You need to be very self-disciplined

For many people, studying from home is a great option, but for others, it is not so great. Not all individuals possess a great capacity for self-discipline and self-motivation, so they may have serious problems with their own self-discipline.Therefore, they may have serious difficulties when it comes to deciding on this type of training.

4. Difficulties in evaluations

As in the case of internships, another major handicap of studying from home is taking the evaluations or exams. In fact, many institutions require in-house testing at least once during the course. In this way, institutions ensure that students' qualifications have met a minimum of guarantees. This is especially necessary in formal education.

5. Technological requirements

Although studying at home has many advantages, this type of training requires technological elements for classes to be productive. A good Internet connection, for example. In addition, it is recommended that the study space be free of distractions and as ergonomic as possible.

Looking for online training?

Now that you know the advantages of studying from home, you may be looking for an online course related to psychology. Therefore, we invite you to read the following articles. Maybe you will find a course that interests you.

20 online courses on Clinical Psychology (free)

• The 25 best free online courses in Psychology (2017).
• Top 10 Psychology courses (classroom and online).