Tired of your alarm clock ringing minutes before you have to be in class? Constantly hoping that your professor is a no-show? Does your professor have the worse speaking voice in the world?  Well, you are not alone.

College students from all over the country are taking online or long-distance-learning courses, instead of meeting in a classroom, where things like flickering lights, repetitive coughs, and multiple conversations can serve as distractions.

Students can attend school from the comfort of their own home or from a workplace, allowing them to work independently and take care of their responsibilities.

But don’t be fooled. Online courses have their own pros and cons. While people can expect to work at their own pace, online courses may include daily or weekly assignments, discussions, and quite a few quizzes and exams to complete for the semester. Many people tend to procrastinate instead of managing their time.

“It’s very hard to concentrate when I’m at home,” says Aaron Wade, a senior at the University of North Texas. “It’s great not having to go to class, but I actually have to keep up with assignments when they are due.”

Online courses can benefit people with jobs, children, or a busy schedule. There are many accredited online universities for people seeking a degree. University of Phoenix, Kaplan University, and Walden University are just a few online programs that offer students bachelors and masters degrees.

Web-based courses may sound great, but some people prefer to have in-class meetings or both. For those who choose the former, in-class sessions can provide students direct access to their professors. It also allows students to work alongside others and comprehend the material better.

With online courses, communicating with one’s professor via internet may present problems. The use of email is less personal and can be misinterpreted or misunderstood by the student and the instructor. In some professors’ syllabus, students will find material on online etiquette. For example, they make sure students do not type in all caps because it means shouting or yelling.

Many schools are going in the virtual direction, but a classroom setting has been the foundation for the educational system. While online courses continue to aid those who seek independence from on-campus classes, classrooms will always be a staple in education. Could you imagine schools without instructors and their facilities? How absurd!