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It’s a common argument today as even more elements of daily life shift to online, and while people are sad about the death of the high street, they’re also the ones contributing to it by always being online. It’s not just the high street either; there are many things which are struggling with online vs. offline and others who are benefitting from both, so what do you think?
Studying Online Vs. Studying Offline
The main difference between the two is the location. If you are doing traditional, offline face-to-face learning, then you need to travel to wherever it is that the classes are taking place. With a university that could also mean relocating altogether because your local college or university doesn’t offer the course you want to do. If you opt for online learning, you can participate from anywhere in the world, from the comfort of your bed if you want to or laying on the beach on the other side of the world. All you need is the internet, and you’re away.
There is also the flexibility which is offered with online learning as opposed to traditional office hours with off-line learning. The other real positive to online education is the choice and variety of courses when the geographic location isn’t a factor. You can do anything from a course in internet safety to a business administration degree online. Aside from these differences, the benefits of learning online or offline are very similar. Despite people assuming that online study is an ‘easier’ route, it isn’t. The same amount of work is required, and in fact, online learning takes a lot of self-discipline and motivation. Other than that, the qualifications are both internationally, and the standards of education are also identical.
Shopping Online Vs. Shopping Offline
Shopping online has become increasingly popular and extremely easy, but there are cons to it too. For example, not getting to look and feel before buying can lead to disappointment if what you have seen online isn’t what you get. With some of the online stores, they are only online, so communicating with them can be challenging as you don’t have the option to storm into the physical shop to explain your dissatisfaction. Problem-solving face-to-face with store employees is often faster and more satisfying, and when shopping in person, you usually have the same person to talk to when dealing with a problem. Also, check this out How to Download a Website for Offline Viewing.
There is not only the risk of your item not looking how you expect it to, but there’s also the risk of it not arriving on time, often items ordered online are back-ordered, but you usually don’t find out until weeks later. It is also difficult to know if a site is a legitimate retail store and if it is safe to shop and then there are the shipping costs and the returns cost too.
However, on the plus side…unless the site has broken down, the stores are almost always open, you can shop from your sofa with a glass of wine in hand while in your pyjamas. You will save on petrol, won’t have to deal with parking, won’t have to deal with crowds, annoying salespeople or have to wait in long queues to check out.
Job Hunting Online Vs. Job Hunting Offline
Rather than compare the two, the best thing to do is combine looking for a job online with looking for one offline too.
The first thing you need to do is to tell people that you’re looking for a job. You never know who they know or what they know and there could be a perfect opportunity waiting for you, so spread the word in person and cast your net nice and wide.
Use the internet to find out as much information as you can and then apply directly to companies you are looking at…even if they’re not hiring.
Use Linkedin to connect with people or to find out who is the hiring manager. Use the tools you have available to you, but don’t solely rely on job search engines or jobs boards. If you have applied for something online, it shows initiative to follow up or even show your face and ask about the position. It can seem a little over the top to do this, but if someone else does it and they have a friendly conversation with whoever is hiring, who do you think will have the best chance at the job? You’ve nothing to lose.
Dating Online Vs. Dating Offline
Now to the world of dating, something which has become more common than not to start doing online. In the past online dating was seen as something for lonely people and weirdos, people who couldn’t get dates in real life. But now, there are millions of people putting themselves online and swiping left or right. So there’s a good reason to do it, there are loads of other people to do it, so your chances of finding someone are pretty high. However, on the downside, it is also a crowded place and can be a very exhausting experience.
There are also loads of success stories from people who have met online, even if it’s not a dating site, people have met on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. But the risk is there as people lie about their age, weight, height, income, and marital status which can be off-putting after a few bad dates.
The great thing is that you can meet people who live in different locations than you but people who share your interests. The more people you meet, the quicker you will learn what you’re truly looking for in a date or relationship. Dating can, however, become a hobby to some and addictive because some people are just looking for someone to chat to and have no intention of meeting up in person and others are always looking for their next date.
Either way, people can tell lies or not have the correct intentions, so similar to job hunting it’s probably best to combine the two methods and see what happens.
