Now that so much information is available on the internet, this question arises more and more frequently.
- Why go to university? Why pay all that money to learn things you could learn on your own using resources available on the internet and in public libraries.
- Couldn’t you just do this stuff yourself? Perhaps with the aid of a good book that takes you through the process?
If the main thing you got from a class was content, then there would be no reason to take one.
But there are lots of other things a class provides. Today I’m going to talk about one of them: structure.
A personal story…
Like many people, I’m not very good at establishing and maintaining a fitness routine.
I used to live near a recreation centre that offered different classes. And I signed up for 2 classes a week — aquafit & Women on Weights.
These were not “drop-in” sessions with a punch card. There was a set time every week and I paid for a 10 or 12 week session all at once.
There were several advantages:
- The set time went on my calendar. Other things didn’t get scheduled for that time unless they really had to be.
- I felt like I was expected, which increased my motivation to go.
- I had paid for the whole course, which increased my motivation to go.
- I looked forward to seeing the people in the class, who I got to know a bit because it was the same people every week.
That’s in addition to the obvious things like an expert teacher who devised an exercise program that met certain objectives and encouraged us to work hard and get maximum benefit from the course.
There is no shame in needing the structure of a class.
Some people do very well with a punch-card. They find time to go every week even if it isn’t always at the same time. They work hard without the additional motivation of friendly acquaintances and a teacher to encourage them.
I’m not one of them. And I’m sure a lot of you reading feel the same.
Especially when it comes to difficult or uncomfortable things, like exercise or workload planning, a class can give you just enough structure to make sure you prioritize the time and do the work.
Classes for academics, not just students…
As part of my Academic Writing Studio, I offer live quarterly planning classes to help you plan each part of your year, with lots of time for group coaching and additional resources available on the class page. For more information, check here for some background on the classes.
I sometimes offer these classes to the public as well. To register for the next upcoming public planning class on June 4, click here!
If you aren’t sure whether the Studio would benefit you, or wonder if individual coaching might be more appropriate, you can book a free consult to chat things over, or email me if you prefer.
Support is out here for you. Make it easier on yourself.
Related Posts:
Using the supports you need: Part 2
Flexibility, autonomy, and boundaries
It’s not too late to adjust your plans
This post was edited to add new services and classes on May 31, 2021.
Hello Jo,
Thanks for another thought provoking blog.
I just want to follow up on our engaging twitter posts about traditional university classes versus free, self-teaching or MOOCs (Mass Open Online Course). I agree with you completely that attending a class in person provides structure. In-person support by great teachers and fellow students attending and keeping an eye on your own attendance can be a great motivator for some – others may not care or require this structure as self-motivators.
Other factors include time constraints and the need for flexibility. It comes down to the choices we make about why we need the structure of a physical classroom.
I also agree that it’s not the content that people pay for as much as the certification and the in-person support that they receive, but don’t forget there are distance-education courses that provide greater flexibility (like Athabasca University among many others) that have been providing accreditation for years without having to step foot into a physical classroom.
A further factor is the cost for courses. For some, there is a daily difficulty in paying for the basic necessities, and personal circumstances may also not allow for attending classes in person. If an open access, free course was available on the internet that could provide similar knowledge for free – some will make this choice over in-person attendance. It might also provide those unable to pay tuition with the initial knowledge grounding that may eventually lead them to a more formal degree.
Please don’t get me wrong. I still think that the in-person structure is very important – if this is a possibility. There’s nothing like face to face. This also goes for social media. Interaction is required to put the “social” in social media. But for those who can’t set a regular schedule for in-person class structure, the convenience of online learning is the way to go. If it’s free – even more of a motivator, but only if there’s an online community of professional and peer support.
One may not get the formal educational credits from an official university or college, but one can still learn and acquire knowledge.