I like online learning because I’m autistic and in person learning makes me uncomfortable. I can tolerate it but it gets really tiring eventually. I’m currently a senior and am almost done with my computer science bachelor’s which I’ve done entirely online.
Online discussions suck, but so do in person discussions. Talking to neurotypicals is stressful just anticipating having to do it and trying to pretend to be “normal” really wipes me out.
I agree that some majors and classes are way better in person and I get that some people need to go in person to motivate themselves, but also going in person ends up being worse for some other people. I don’t think people should be forced to learn online, but I think the option should be there if it is reasonable to do that class online.
I worked as a cashier for about two years, so I do have some social skills, but too much noise and activity tires me out quickly. I chose online college partly because I can do it in an environment that’s comfortable to me since I can’t do that with work, it helps me get somewhat of a break. I have a friend I made at work who’s also autistic and doing an online CS degree. I find them easy to talk to and they are more outgoing than me, and they have helped me figure out how to better socialize. I have been experiencing autistic burnout the past few months though, so lately I have been regressing on some things. I don’t know if I’m going to make it, but atm I feel like I will eventually.