We’ve all considered the blissful thought of dropping out and being able to take our classes in the comfort of our own homes. While not having to get out of bed to go to school seems like a wonderful option, the idea of transitioning to online school because of sheer laziness to actually attend school will certainly lead to further issues.

Online school is nonetheless challenging. If a student can be completely self-motivated, have an outstanding ability to understand material with minimal questions, and enough time management skills to do well in online school, I say, go for it.

Transitioning to online school is becoming increasingly more accessible. According to Connections Academy, there was an 80% increase in the number of students taking part in online school from 2009 to 2013.

Online school requires a level of maturity and drive that some students have yet to develop. Due to the self paced nature of online school, students who decide to take classes online have to have a number of qualities to get through essentially being their own teacher. Time management, as well as self-motivation and responsibility, becomes even more important.

I think that most people believe that online classes will be the “easy route” for high school, but in my opinion, it may take a toll on a student if they aren’t actually given the structure of classroom learning. While there are sometimes extenuating circumstances that make public school hard for a student, online school may not be a helpful learning style due to these exceptions.

With online school, there is no opportunity for the collaborative learning that public schools offer. This can be damaging to a student’s learning. Even the shyest or smartest students can learn from their peers and that is an important part of learning. Also, the whole concept of working with other people important to life.

Working with people in person and even dealing with people we disagree with can prepare us for life. Students who decide to transfer to online school more often than not do not get the opportunity to have to work in a school environment with a person he/she dislikes.

Despite the issues and difficulties that may come out of moving to online school, there are positives as well. With online school, students have the ability to be more creative and have a more flexible schedule. This flexibility creates a real world feel, with students having to learn some things on their own, just like in college.

In this way, online school can be more beneficial than public school. If someone is motivated and determined to do well, they will be successful on online school. These students will get the benefits of online school and experience minimal negative effects.

While there are certainly benefits to online school over traditional schooling, we shouldn’t judge online school at face value. After all, we can’t knock what we haven’t tried.