Why Some Students Thrive in Online Classes While Others Struggle

Most of us went online to work, study, shop, and communicate back in 2020. Some liked this lifestyle so much that they now don’t want to return to offices or universities, favoring remote work and online learning. At the same time, others suffered from it, noting a significant decrease in their productivity, proactivity, and motivation and waiting for the time when they can experience in-person communication and offline activities.

Why this difference? What makes one thrive online while others struggle and crave an offline environment to work, study, and live fully? Let’s find out by example of students. Why do some thrive when learning from an educational blog and online classes, but others prefer in-person studies?

Reasons for Thriving in Online Classes

This learning style fits disciplined and self-motivated students who are flexible and can organize and manage their time effectively. Students who set academic goals, build plans and schedules to achieve them, and stay on task without external prompts breathed a sigh of relief when all their studies went online:

School schedules have become more fluid, allowing students to experience all the benefits of self-pacing and giving them more freedom on when and how to do their school work.

When learning online, self-motivated and self-disciplined students manage their time more efficiently. This flexible environment helps them prioritize tasks and decide on those to postpone or delegate to prevent academic overload and, as a result, burnout.

Online classes also reduce the pressure to succeed:

On average, the typical student starts a school day at 8 am and remains constantly on the go: lectures, practical classes, or extracurricular activities to impress colleges and meet the high expectations of parents and society on what a “successful success” looks like. Around half of college students report feeling stressed about their course as they feel it is hard to achieve at a certain academic level. Online classes lower the stakes and the pressure, allowing self-pacing for academic success.

Online classes are also more comfortable for tech-savvy students who can navigate online platforms or engage with digital resources and learning management systems. Visual or solitary learners who do well with reading materials and videos thrive in the online study environment. Those with solid reading and writing skills are also here:

Since online courses rely on written communication, students with good reading comprehension and writing skills will succeed. They can absorb information, participate in discussions, and express their thoughts in writing.

Research and problem-solving skills also help students prosper in online learning:

They know how to find information, get the most out of online resources, and solve technical issues if any appear. These abilities help students stay on track.

Reasons for Struggling in Online Classes

Self-motivation, discipline, and stellar time management skills matter for online study success. But you’ll agree if we say that not all people are enlightened gurus who have achieved the highest mastery of the mentioned, won’t you?

Students who struggle with self-motivation or procrastination often find it challenging to keep up with online learning. They need the structure of in-person classes to focus on the process. Poor time management skills also prevent such students from academic success:

Did you know that poor time management skills are among the top three reasons college students are ready to violate academic integrity and cheat on their writing assignments? The inability to manage time and organize schedules to balance coursework with other responsibilities leads to missed deadlines, last-minute cramming, anxiety, and low grades.

Learning style mismatch is another reason for struggling with online classes:

Some students learn better through hands-on activities, group interactions, or face-to-face instructions. The lack of face-to-face communication can make the material feel less engaging or more challenging to understand.

Limited access to technology and distractions at home are also worth mentioning:

Troubles with an internet connection, no device to use, or no well-structured study space to learn in — few teachers and educational experts consider these details when assessing academic performance and student engagement; however, they have a significant impact on them. They may be a reason why some students aren’t available to meet at specific times or don’t want to talk about their issues from home:

Students without a designated study space or those surrounded by family may find it challenging to concentrate or communicate their problems due to privacy concerns. They don’t want anyone to listen to what they say to teachers or academic advisors. Some also try to block out or hide their background from the rest of the class, sacrificing engagement and active participation in lessons.

And last but not least:

Online learning can feel isolating for students who thrive on social interaction and in-person communication. This feeling reduces their sense of connection and engagement with peers and instructors. Online classes miss social cues and a “human aspect” in interactions, making some feel like they’re speaking to themselves rather than engaging in a conversation.

Understanding these nuances can help create strategies to support students who struggle with online classes while enhancing those already thriving in online learning environments. Yes, AI and digitalization are on the rise. But many of us still appreciate our physical space and the face-to-face interactions with colleagues, family, and friends.