The highschool experience has always been a constant change, but throughout the last five years the original concept is dissipating. Covid-19 had already changed so many lives just in the year 2020 when it was at its peak. Online school was being introduced and many students had mixed feelings about it. Now online school is an alternative to being physically present. There are tons of different preferences and reasons to go online.
Online school is a form of education where students can attend classes and complete coursework through the internet, rather than in a traditional classroom setting. This type of schooling is provided by teachers with the resources accessible on most electronics to complete lessons and assignments. Students can interact with teachers in many different ways including video calls, discussion boards, and emails. All of this being included makes it beneficial for students that need more flexibility. Students often learn to work at their own pace and on their own schedule. This becomes especially helpful for those who have other commitments.
Some people might think that online highschool isn’t an authentic experience in the real world, but with how fast that the world progresses the more jobs are being virtual. Working and communicating with people that would be hard to generally understand and agree with is the biggest lesson that highschool students learn when they are in the typical classroom environment. Students are starting to think this part of highschool isn’t important because they can pick up these skills while they are working. Trevor Haas (26) started his junior year in person and transferred online halfway through. Haas said, “I went online mainly so I can work full time and gain experience while I am still in high school”. Recently, Haas has been completing his online classes in Texas and still working down south for a short period of time. Online schooling brings so many opportunities to kids in this generation, which is why Haas doesn’t have to worry about missing any school while being in Texas.
Students also have a hard time keeping up with school directly for other issues. Working with so many different people and everyone maturing at different rates can be hard for those that have so much going on. It tends to feel like everyone is in your business and it can be hard to differentiate who your real friends are. Going online has stopped some of that miscommunication and cleared up many students’ lives. Caleb Perdew (25) said, “I went online for more than just working reasons, but I really enjoy having less distractions caused from all the drama high school can bring.” Perdew has talked about how so many students lost contact with him when he started his online classes because he was not always around to be reminded of. This has helped him create a smaller circle of friends and stay out of unnecessary stories. Perdew’s mental health has been getting better incredibly this last year. Online school can help in more ways than one for each individual.
Ultimately, online schooling has become an increasingly popular option for working students and those who prefer to avoid the social drama often associated with traditional students. Its flexibility allows working students to balance their job responsibilities with their educational goals, ensuring they can pursue both without significant compromise. Additionally, the online environment provides a more controlled and focused learning atmosphere, free from distractions and conflicts that can arise in a physical school setting. As technology continues to advance and the demand for adaptable education grows, online school is likely to remain a vital and appealing choice for many students seeking a more personalized learning experience.