Soon schools will start the final exams, graduation marks and the graduates and their parents face the question of what to do next. Many choose to go to college to pursue higher education, occupation. Which form is better to choose? In order to make the right choice, the applicant should know the basic differences between full-time and part-time courses, their pros and cons.
As students say, those who do not study in full-time education do not know all the charms of student life. This is true, because the part-time students attend university only 2 months a year, during the session; their groups are far less cohesive than groups of full-time education. Endless discos, student dormitories, a kind of food and more is a life characterized by full-time students.
The main advantage of distance education is the presence of large amounts of free time that students can use as they wish, including for earning money. Most of the students prefer the part-time department for the opportunity to work. Specialist with experience is valued much higher; at the end of training part-time students receive not only a diploma, but a decent experience. Students of a full-time education do not have enough time to work, and if someone finds a job, there is usually a significant impact on his/her academic progress.
What are other advantages and disadvantages of full-time and part-time education?
Positive aspects of full-time study
- Full-time form of education involves attending classes, i.e. regular attendance of lectures and seminars on the schedule. The study of teaching material is more in depth, because it stands out more hours.
- During training, the student is in constant contact with the teachers, which allows discussing, asking questions if something is unclear.
- During the full-time education student gets deeper basic, theoretical knowledge. Deep theoretical knowledge base after getting a good practice leads to high professionalism.
- In the course of study the student contacts with the teacher and then well-respected students often receive offers to attend post-graduate school, and having practice in the specialty, the student has the opportunity to be hired later by this employer.
Pros of part-time education (distance learning)
- Part-time students can earn a living, to turn out their seniority for pension without losing years in their plan.
- During the semester part-time students do not have to attend lectures, time to study student defines independently, and during the sessions examiners usually related to students with condescension.
- During the studies, students’ parents do not have to bear such costs as in full-time education. In addition, the student may work and pay for a college education by himself.
- During part-time study and work in their chosen profession, student can learn to apply theoretical knowledge in practice and get valuable practical experience.
Negative aspects of full-time study
- The learning process is separated from employment, which does not allow teaching students to apply theoretical skills into practice.
- After graduating, students do not have practical experience, as employers seek to recruit people who have hands-on experience.
- Today, this form of education cannot be affordable for everyone. Parents of students have to pay large sums annually for tuition, rental apartments, travel, meals, so for many it is financially difficult or impossible.
Cons of part-time education
- The small volume of the curriculum that the student studies basically on his own, and so, it is hardly possible to obtain in-depth knowledge by distance learning, especially if the student is not working in some field.
- Employers critically assess distance learning.
- There are specialties, which training is only available for full-time education, for example in medical schools.
It is believed that for students of part-time education it is much easier to learn, load is a little and training schedule can be individually composed. As a result, there is poor knowledge. However, it is actually not the case. After all, the desire to learn depends on the student. And for years of full-time study students can attend higher institution, but do not learn the material, and “fill up” exams. In general, graduates of part-time education have the same rights as full-time students. Both forms of learning provide many opportunities to build a future life. It is therefore important to determine, based on personal situation in life that suits the best. What does person favor: a solid knowledge and student life or early building of own career?
