Online education is gaining acceptance and becoming more popular than ever. But is it for you?
It has its pros and cons, but whether an online student will be successful depends on the individual’s learning style, students and educators say.
Rachel Vierra, a student at Northeastern University School of Law, said online students must be motivated and proactive if they expect to succeed in an online or hybrid program. If something isn’t clear, it is up to you to reach out to your professor.
Vierra is enrolled in Northeastern’s FlexJD program, a part-time ABA-accredited hybrid program that aims to meet the needs of working professionals who want a law degree. While it is sometimes challenging, Vierra has found that the flexibility of the hybrid program helps her balance her busy schedule.
“Ultimately, it comes down to your learning style and motivation,” Vierra said. “Some people learn better in traditional, in-person classes, but others learn better independently at their own pace with the aid of a lecture video. I would also tell students to consider if the on-campus experience is important to them. A hybrid program typically means less interaction with day students and faculty who are on campus every day, since the part-time program is geared toward evenings.”
She said she has found some disadvantages to the program, including limited opportunities for internships and co-ops and difficulty integrating into the campus culture.
Briana Al Taqatqa, one of the first graduates of Mitchell Hamline’s hybrid J.D. program, said getting involved in extracurricular activities was not difficult for her.
“You might think that because it’s partially online and partially in person, you don’t get the opportunity to form those relationships that you would in a more traditional, on-campus law school program, but that has not been my experience.”
Al Taqatqa, who graduated in 2018, said she had opportunities to network with other students and participate in competitions. She even won an international negotiation competition for law students with a friend she made during her time in the program.
Five tips for students in online or hybrid programs:
1. Block off time in your schedule to complete the readings and lecture videos.
2. Write down what is unclear from lecture videos and attend your professors’ office hours to ask questions. They want to help you.
3. Form a study group with some of your classmates. Law school is hard, and you will need support. Also, studying with others is one of the best ways to learn the material.
5. Join a club if you want to be more involved in campus life.
4. Network with 2Ls, 3Ls and day students.
Learn more about the latest developments in online legal education by reading the latest issue of preLaw magazine!
