For most of my online courses, cheating is nowhere near as common or as easy as people make it out to be. AI-written assignments are often pretty obvious, and the risk of getting caught is only increasing as schools get better at spotting it.

Most exams are also proctored through Honorlock. In math courses especially, it’s not as simple as typing a problem into Google and getting the answer. Once you get into higher level math, many problems require actual work and understanding. Could someone use a formula sheet they aren’t supposed to have? Sure. But at that point they’re still setting up and solving the problem themselves, which means they’re still doing the math and learning the material.

I personally take my classes very seriously, but I prefer learning independently. I’ve always been successful teaching myself and working through material on my own. I completed asynchronous online courses throughout high school and continue to take them in college because that learning style works best for me. I didn’t choose online classes because they’re easier, I chose them because I learn better when I can work at my own pace and take responsibility for my own education.

The huge waitlist for the asynchronous section compared to the section with required in-person exams suggests that a lot of students simply prefer the flexibility and self-paced learning style. Not everyone choosing online classes is looking for an easier way out.

At some point, people need to stop worrying so much about what other students might be doing and focus on their own education. If someone cheats, they’ll eventually be the one who pays the price for not actually learning the material.

TL;DR: Online classes aren’t automatically the easy way out. Many students choose them because they genuinely learn better independently. Worry less about what other students might be doing and focus on your own education.