How Many Online Courses Should I Take? Are Online Courses Easier?

Online learning is on the rise and many students are opting to study online for their post-secondary education. It’s for good reason – online courses are convenient, flexible and you can save considerable time if you don’t have to commute. That being said, online courses still take a significant amount of dedication, commitment and adjusting, especially if working from home is new to you. 

 You may find yourself asking the question: how many online courses should I take? We’ll give you some things to consider including your current schedule, financial situation, interests and tell you how Robertson Online gives you the freedom to learn while you live. Let’s get into it! 

How much time do you have to dedicate to school? 

When you’re getting ready to apply for a program, think about how much time you are willing to devote to your course load.

 Every program and course will be different depending on the number of times the class meets per week and the number of assignments and exams your instructor assigns. On average, each college course runs three hours a week, combined into one class or spread throughout the week. On top of your in-class time, you may spend about 14 hours a week studying and working on projects.

 The average student taking a full course load will spend up to 30 hours a week dedicated to their studies. Today’s “full course load” is usually five courses, but it differs across all post-secondary schools and programs. Keep in mind this is an estimate and won’t be the same for everyone depending on how fast you complete assignments.

 Many students work a part-time job on top of school for extra cash or to help pay for school. If you’re working more than a part-time position, you may be better off not taking a full course load. If you’re looking to take a full course load, make sure you have 30 hours a week to spend on school. If you enroll with Robertson Online, you’ll have access to flexible courses that allow you to study when it works best for you, as long as you meet your weekly goals.   

Don’t forget about your personal life! You should leave time for yourself and the things you love doing. Focusing on school is important, but you’re important too.

How many courses should I take per term?

Another thing you should consider before you start is how many years you want to study.

 Robertson’s online programs range from three to 11 months. Other universities and colleges range from 3-month programs to four years, with some students even hitting the six-year mark. If you’re looking to start your career quickly, Robertson Online will have you career-ready in one year or less. 

Are you prepared to juggle multiple courses at once?

When deciding how many courses to take, consider if you feel prepared to juggle multiple courses at once. 

• How will you manage your mental health/self care? Assess your mental health and self care routine. Ensure your mental health is in a good place and you have the mindset to focus on school. 
• Do you have strong study habits? What are your study habits like? If you have good study habits and time management skills, you’ll find yourself in a good spot to juggle multiple courses at once. This is an important factor to ensure your success in your classes. 

• Do you prefer to work independently or collaboratively? Do you usually lean and rely on your peers or classmates when it comes to learning? With Robertson Online, you’ll use Brightspace, an online learning platform where you can chat with peers through discussion boards and direct messages. You’ll have all the support needed to achieve success and you’ll never feel alone during your learning process. 

• Can you manage your time and schedule? How good are you at managing your time and sticking to a schedule? Before enrolling in online classes, you should master your time management and organizational skills so you’re set up for success. You want to make sure you stay on top of assignments and give yourself enough time to complete everything without doing a rushed job. 

How many courses can you afford to take? 

Canadian undergraduates pay an average of $6,463 for a semester’s worth of tuition. Of course, the cost differs from program to program.

Look at your savings to see what you have and can afford to spend. You can look for courses/programs in your price range to start. If you don’t have enough money to take a full course load, you can reduce the number of courses to make the cost of school a bit more affordable.

 You can also apply for scholarships and bursaries or student loans and lines of credit. There are options out there to lessen the financial burden of getting an education. At Robertson, we also have financial supports put in place for students in need of additional assistance and funding. 

Are online courses easier?

You may be wondering if online courses are easier than on-campus classes. The short answer is no. People often perceive online classes as learning at your leisure, less formal or even less prestigious. This is far from the truth. The amount of effort and work you put into an online course is no different than a regular college class. While you have more flexibility around when you study with Robertson Online, you still have a similar workload to an on-campus class.

 Online courses take dedication and discipline – traits that are important in our constantly changing online workforce. Robertson Online gives you the autonomy to study when you want while holding you accountable to stay on top of your weekly goals. 

 You get to decide if online learning is for you. Think about your learning style and your study habits. If you prefer skipping the commute to school and excel at studying on your own time, online courses may be the path for you. They will make time management easier, but the overall work difficulty shouldn’t change. 

 If you think online classes are for you, we want to help you sign up in eight super easy steps.

So, how many online classes should I take?

The answer is up to you as a student. Take a look at how much time you are willing to put towards school, the amount of self-discipline you have, if you’re in the right mind frame to complete courses and how much money you have saved to pay for your schooling now.

 Every student will find themselves a different answer based on their learning, lifestyle and the amount of classes required in their chosen program. 

Why study with Robertson Online?

When it comes to online learning, Robertson Online gives you the opportunity to study when and where it works best for you. Whether it’s the couch, a coffee shop or your basement, the choice is yours!

Our online tools also make your educational journey easy and hold you accountable to your studies. Our online learning platform Brightspace is the hub where you can tune into online classes, submit assignments and quizzes as well as connect with your peers and instructors on discussion boards and instant messaging. 

Although the classes are online, Robertson programs require you to complete a full time practicum to use all the skills you have learned. You’ll have the chance to learn and further your skills alongside industry experts in a real-work environment.

With Robertson Online, you have the flexibility to study and balance your life. Eighty-eight per cent of our grads find a job right after school. Whether you work on the side or have other time-consuming commitments, you’ll still be able to get an education and find a meaningful career. 

If you have any questions about virtual learning and our online programs, reach out to our Student Admissions Advisors. Simply fill out the form with your question and they’ll reach out to you with the information you need to help you get started on your career journey.