Taking Asynchronous College Courses Post-COVID
Let’s talk about Zoom courses- and why everyone is so afraid of them after the pandemic.
After COVID, I feel like everyone was sick and tired of constant zoom calls and not being able to speak face-to-face with each other (I was in the same boat). People hated that “cameras on” experience and swore off online classes as a whole. They lost the opportunity to bond with classmates and craved social interaction. As a result, when I tell people about an asynchronous class, they are skeptical; they think I don’t want to really learn about the subject, or that I must not pay attention. However, synchronous classes are totally different from asynchronous classes- and can be a great opportunity for busy students!
Every quarter, I designate at least one of my courses to be remote and asynchronous- meaning I can work at my own pace without any Zoom calls. Being a working student, I struggle with finding enough time in the day to juggle all of my tasks. I like having a consistent work schedule, so taking an asynchronous class offers me way more flexibility with my hours.
It also gives you more flexibility in your education style. Sometimes I can grasp a concept fairly quickly, so I feel like I can get work done at my own pace without worrying about the learning speed of everyone else. At the same time, if there is a class that I really do not understand, I do not feel the pressure of not wanting to interrupt the class with a question when everyone else gets it. With asynchronous courses, you get a chance to learn at your own pace- at any time of day.
I also love the freedom of having an asynchronous class. Especially in the Fall and Spring quarters, I want to spend as much time outside and enjoying the weather as possible. By switching a class to online, I have more time in the day to explore- and I can get my work done in the morning or evening. I definitely prefer to go out and about during the day and settle at home at night, so this is the best of both worlds for me!
Through this, I can also make the most of time between other classes. For example, last quarter I had a 11:50-1:20 course and then a 3:10-4:40 course, so there was a decent chunk of time between them. Rather than going to a middle class in-person, I chose to take an asynchronous class. I had time to relax and work at my own pace without being around other people for a bit, which keeps me refreshed for my next course. Taking this path keeps my social battery balanced and prevents burnout. Plus, you can still chat with classmates through discussion boards!
The world is becoming increasingly digital, and we embrace it in every other way- so why not with our education? By balancing my in-person and asynchronous classes, I find a workflow that works for me, keeps my daytime free, makes job scheduling easier, and allows for me to maximize my time. It is a great option to explore, and at DePaul, I can always find asynchronous options to fulfill my course requirements! I recommend checking this option out and breaking the stigma that online courses are just Zooms- they are so much more!
~Breanne