Online Classes: Educational Option for People with Anxiety Disorders

There are plenty of reasons for college students, and potential college students, to take online classes. There is the issue of convenience--it is easier for students to go to school online if they have children or other commitments in their lives. It might also be cheaper for a student to go to school online if they live far from the campus and it would cost them a lot in gas.

But for some other college students, online classes are the only way they can get their college degree because they suffer from an affliction that prevents them from sitting in a class for hours on end.

I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in 2000. I had severe panic attacks and I had a very difficult time being in situations where I knew I would be unable to leave or take a minute to regroup if I started to panic. Luckily my job allowed for such things at the time, and eventually I overcame my anxiety enough to function like a normal person.

However, there was one thing that I was still afraid to do--go back to college and get my degree. I was afraid that I would have a panic attack in the middle of class and embarrass myself in front of everyone. Eventually, I decided to do it and when I went to register, I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that my local community college offered numerous classes online. At first, I felt that I would be copping out if I took an online class because I wouldn't really be facing my fears. But I soon realized that taking classes online during my first few semesters would get me over that first hurdle and eventually give me the confidence I needed to enroll in a class on campus.

My plan worked. I took several online classes and after receiving straight A's in my classes, I had a renewed confidence that enabled me to get my Associate's Degree and eventually my Bachelor's. I believe that my success in college was due to the availability of online classes.