Should you attend Classes in Person in College or just Listen to a Podcast
If your goal is to earn college credit and complete a degree, you generally need to attend the class in the format required by the college, whether that is in-person, online, or hybrid. Simply listening to a podcast instead of participating in the course usually does not satisfy attendance, participation, assignments, exams, or accreditation requirements.
However, if your goal is purely learning the material, podcasts can be an excellent supplement and sometimes can replace lectures for self-education. The trade-offs are:
Attending Class
Advantages
Earn academic credit toward a degree.
Access to instructors, discussions, and feedback.
Structured schedule and accountability.
Networking with classmates and faculty.
Disadvantages
Higher cost.
Fixed schedule.
Time spent commuting.
Listening to Podcasts
Advantages
Flexible and convenient.
Usually free or low cost.
Can learn while driving, exercising, or doing chores.
Disadvantages
No college credit.
No direct interaction with instructors.
Limited assessment of what you've learned.
Easier to procrastinate.
A Practical Approach
Many successful students do both:
Attend or participate in required classes.
Use podcasts to reinforce concepts.
Listen to course-related podcasts during commuting or exercise time.
If you're asking because you're considering returning to college, I would recommend determining your objective first:
Degree, promotion, or credential needed? Attend an accredited program.
Knowledge for personal or professional growth? Podcasts and other self-directed learning resources may be sufficient.
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