The traditional college experience has usually entailed living on campus with your peers, taking courses in large classrooms and immersing yourself in campus life. Now, with the advent of online courses, more students are passing on the in-person campus experience for online learning. In fact, 2025 marked the first time that more college students attended programs online than in person.
With virtual learning becoming more commonplace in higher education, it has become an increasingly realistic option for a number of potential students. If you’re considering enrolling in an online program, read on to find out more about what it’s like to learn online.
Flexibility and Convenience
One of the major benefits of online learning comes from the ability to create a personalized schedule that fits your individual life and your learning style. Most online students — especially adult learners — have to balance their coursework with other personal responsibilities, including working full-time as well as family obligations. Online degree programs allow students to learn from anywhere, whether at home, work or on the road.
“The online master’s program at JWU Online was flexible enough for me as a single parent to give my son the time he needed, while working and going to school. While I like learning in a classroom, online I could work at my pace and still have that positive interaction with teachers and classmates through the discussion boards.” – Emmeline Orellana ’24, MPA
Course Structure and Delivery
In most online degree programs, classes are usually taught one of two ways: synchronous and asynchronous. Synchronous courses have a specified time slot for classes, similar to an in-person program. With asynchronous courses, students can view their courses whenever they want, giving them the flexibility to learn at their own pace.
At JWU Online, all our courses offered are asynchronous through ulearn, JWU’s online learning hub delivered through the popular learning management system, Blackboard. In ulearn, online students can access course materials, submit assignments and communicate with classmates and faculty.
Student Interaction and Community
Although online learning limits the ability for students to interact in person, ample opportunities remain for students to build connections with classmates and faculty. Online discussion boards and video content can simulate in-person discussion to give students a sense of community. At JWU Online, students take advantage of classroom discussion boards, group chats and the dedicated JWU Online student group in jwuLink — JWU’s online central communication hub — to interact with one another and build a sense of togetherness.
“I like feeling that although we are not physically with one another in the classroom, we can still be part of a community,” says Adriana Milko ’25, B.S. – Psychology. “It’s the little things you do, like reaching out to your peers, which creates community. Regular communication with JWU Online staff and professors — and also among students — helps us create community.”
In addition, our faculty members continuously strive to do their part to contribute to building a supportive online community. As Jeannine Pettiford, Adjunct Professor, states, “In my online courses, I engage students through video content and sharing my insights, personal reflections and real-world experiences related to each part of the course. This approach helps students connect not only with the material, but also with me as their instructor, giving the online class a personal touch. A sense of connection is fostered not only through personal videos but by interactive discussions and personalized feedback, helping to build a supportive learning community.”
Self-Motivation and Time Management
Maintaining a strong work ethic with regards to your classwork is a key factor in being a successful online student. Keeping your coursework organized and completing assignments on time will greatly benefit your experience in online learning.
Jonathan Garrigues ’25, M.S. – Finance echoes the sentiment that self-motivation is key to thriving in your studies. “Learning online, no one will be looking over your shoulder to make sure you are studying. You have to ask yourself whether you have the drive and self-discipline to balance work, school, and personal life. I truly believe that anyone who is interested and sufficiently self-motivated can successfully earn [their] degree.”
Prior to enrolling in your first class, it can be helpful to do an honest assessment of yourself and determine how you learn best in order to develop a strategy that will keep you ahead of the curve. One way to stay on top of your academics is to follow a regular weekly schedule for completing your assignments. However you decide to tackle your coursework, strong time management skills and staying motivated towards completing your degree will benefit you in the long run.
Access to Resources and Support
As an online student, the best thing to keep in mind when facing challenges during your studies is that you do not have to struggle alone; you have resources at your disposal to get you back on track. At JWU Online, you can always reach out to your academic advisors whenever you have difficulty in your courses. If you need academic assistance, there are a plethora of academic resources available to you, including online tutoring, writing support and accessibility services.
“The university does a fantastic job of providing resources. JWU offers tutor.com, which I have used a couple times. I have also used the Writing Center for my very first paper, because I had not written a paper in decades! All of the resources, added to the support from the professors, have given me a wonderful experience.” – Ajay Patel, MD ’26, MBA – Finance
Begin Your Online College Experience Today
If you’re thinking about enrolling online, Johnson & Wales University Online offers a variety of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs, along with a broad range of student services that can help you achieve your academic goals. For more information about earning your degree with JWU Online, complete our Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881 or email [email protected].
