It is your decision whether to take a course in the classroom (on campus) or online, but ultimately, it depends on your schedule, life commitments, learning style, and preferences. While no one can decide for you, there are several factors to consider when determining which works best for you; we have included some of those factors below:

Some advantages of taking a course online include:

• Flexible scheduling and added convenience: The structure of online courses varies, but generally, they tend to be more flexible and allow you to pursue your education without interrupting personal commitments outside of school. Online courses are accessible from almost anywhere, as long as you have internet access, and may be asynchronous or self-paced, providing an opportunity to complete coursework on your own time while still meeting weekly deadlines. 
  
  
• Repeated access to course materials: Normally, in an online course, you can access course materials 24/7 via a learning management system like Moodle; this means video presentations can be watched and revisited as necessary, and you can spend more time with the material or brush up on content covered in previous modules.
  
  
• Opportunity to engage with a global peer network: In an online course, you may find yourself enrolled alongside students from across the U.S. and the world, and you may experience a broader range of perspectives during class discussions, which may enhance your cross-cultural understanding.

Some advantages of taking a course in the classroom include:

• More structure: The routine of attending a class at the same time each week can be a helpful way to learn and may also help you focus better to internalize concepts.
  
  
• Face time with peers and professors: While online classes offer plenty of opportunities to connect with professors and classmates, you may prefer to learn in the classroom; classroom courses provide the opportunity to work directly with your classmates or ask your professor questions face-to-face, instead of posting a question on the class message board.
  
  
• Fewer distractions: When you attend class remotely, distractions like the internet, television, and even family members can make it hard to stay focused; taking a course in the classroom may reduce distractions and help you focus solely on learning.

To be successful in an online course, you should have good time-management and organizational skills, be a self-starter, be able to remain focused in classes and on your studies, enjoy learning independently, and be comfortable with taking tests online and proctored exams (if your course requires it). 

You should also be comfortable with technology, have a reliable internet connection, and be able to make a distraction-free study environment. If this does not appeal to you, taking courses in the classroom may be a better option for you.

Still unsure which option is best for you; take the Online Readiness Assessment or view the self-evaluation for potential distance learners to help you make a decision that is best for you.