As school is once again getting started, and looking back as a senior, there are many things that I have learned from college. One of these lessons was that I am really bad at taking online classes.

I am writing this following my first exam of the one online class I have this semester, a class that I've already had to withdraw from once. Though I read all of the material, and was feeling pretty good about my chances, I still was unable to get the test finished in the time given.

It is frustrating, but it is something that I have known about myself, and it's something I've put off until the very end. Learning environments have been a point of conversation recently, as society is making movements to make the classroom beneficial to all students rather than only the one's who learn well in the given traditional environment. Now I was always one of those kids who did handle the classroom well. I am a hands on learner and can usually pick things up pretty quickly when they are shown to me, and though I love reading and can absorb information well in this format, the online environment is just not a place that I learn well.

For those just coming to college, before you learn the hard way, try to know what kind of environment you need. Now, in certain places, like the small college I attend, some online classes are unavoidable, but if you go to a larger college you usually can go through your entire college career without having any.

Know what you need from a class. For you to be successful, it is usually beneficial to place yourself in situations in which you can succeed. These are your choices now, and as long as you're fulfilling your degree requirements, you can do whatever you want. You know what you need better than anyone else.

If you're not sure what you need, then try it out. Believe it or not there are people who do great online, and even go on to get their entire degrees digitally. The main thing is knowing where you fit and not being afraid to make decisions based on that.