Lots of us have taken up online learning this year, some say it’s a game changer while other’s can’t wait to return to the classroom.
I have been doing distanced learning since December, having only spent about 6 weeks in the classroom. Lots of my peers have also elected to do the same. There are many reasons why people have had to learn from home;
- Local lockdowns an restrictions
- Reduction of risk
- Loss of income – travel and rent can be incredibly expensive!
- It beats sitting in a freezing classroom with windows wide open, fans blowing, and doors open
Just to name a few!
Are there any benefits to distance learning?
- You learn from the comfort of your home. In troubling times like these, a little bit of comfort can work wonders for our mental health.
- You have more time for studying! By switching to online classes I gained an extra 10 hours per week not having to travel from my home in SE London, all the way to Surrey.
- I’m taking care of myself better, simply by getting adequate sleep and eating well which I wasn’t doing while out of the house.
- I can still effectively engage and communicate with my tutors and peers. Despite being scattered across the UK, it still feels very much like I’m in class. In fact I probably communicate with a wider range of people than I otherwise would have during face-to-face teaching.
- I’m saving money. Being on furlough has impacted me greatly. I couldn’t possibly even think about attending university on such a tight budget. Travel from my bedroom to the fridge is free, and I’m loving it.
- Online exams – at least the upcoming online exams don’t feel as scary. At least for me, anyway.
It might seem desirable, but there are downsides to this sudden, and for some, involuntary shift.
- Sometimes you can be too comfortable. So comfortable that standards slip. You might opt for scrolling through Instagram rather than listening to the tutor. Even if the ‘awa awa’ chihuahua is more interesting than income tax, our attention is too easily traded.
- You miss out on bonding with your personal tutor or academic advisor. This mean that you might inevitably feel awkward about asking a relative stranger to write you a reference in an application. For this reason, it’s a good idea to drop them a catch-up email or arrange a call/video chat.
- You lose structure, and for some it’s hard to replicate at home. Let’s face it, unless you’re dragging yourself up for a morning lecture, most early mornings are spent asleep.
- We’re missing out on a lot of potential networking events that would have otherwise taken place.
- New proctored exams are still nerve-wracking. Knowing that you’re being filmed/recorded is unsettling, and for some technology is not our most reliable ally.
Everything we’re experiencing this year is new and unprecedented. We’re all doing the best we can with what we’re being given. So give yourself a round of applause! 👏 👏
The future of legal services – are we going to see a shift towards virtual relationships? Probably. Already we see hosts of firms, institutions, businesses, and more reaching out online. Holding virtual networking events, talks, insight days, vac schemes, interviews…and much more, seems to be what we ought to look forward to.
Legal Together 
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