As universities grow, class sizes grow, and with that, more courses are needed to accommodate the increasing number of students. Schools have started turning to online classes to reach their students.

Online classes are flexible. Whether it’s a full-time undergraduate student or a part-time student, online classes can be completed at any point in the day. Due dates for lectures, homework assignments and tests are either scattered throughout the semester or set for the last week. This allows students to work at their own pace and work within their own schedules.

The Corporate Finance Institute reports that the average college student graduates with over $37 thousand of debt. Taking online classes is also a way of reducing general course cost.

The number of students taking online classes is increasing. A 2016 study from Online Learning Consortium reported that 28 percent of college students will take an online class at some point during their time in school.

However, traditional classes provide the chance to create relationships with students and professors, along with a more structured and interactive experience.

Meeting at a set time every few days for class brings stability to a student’s life, which can otherwise become, to say the least, chaotic. College students juggle academics, extracurricular activities, jobs, a social life, health and other personal things, so having structure is beneficial. Online classwork can get lost in the mix since assignment and test reminders are not present without attending class.

One way to get the best of both styles is with the blended education model. It would depend on the course, the professor and the school, but it would end up combinating online classes and traditional classes. Rasmussen College approaches the blended education model by offering the same course both in person and online, allowing students to choose which option is best for them.

St. Thomas offers online classes, specifically when more sections are needed of a class, but it usually stays within the core curriculum. However, some discipline classes are turning into online classes, which can be problematic for students majoring in that discipline.

It is each student’s decision if they want to take an online class or a traditional class, based on their personal needs and learning styles, and universities should offer both to give students the option.

Maddie Peters can be reached at pete9542@stthomas.edu.