Education in the time of coronavirus is taking a new direction and moving the classroom to the internet. Students with experience in online classes will adjust with no issue, but students who prefer the camaraderie of face-to-face interactions may struggle with getting accustomed in the beginning. Despite this, online schooling can be beneficial for the environment at large. Read on to see why making the choice to do a degree program online is an environmentally friendly decision.

1. Less Traveling

When you commit to completing a degree program online, you won’t have to worry about doing a lot of commuting to campus and back. Cars can emit copious amounts of gas into the atmosphere, and commuting by car during the rush hour can use up more gas than is necessary. If you have to commute to campus to purchase class materials, for example, public transportation is always an ideal option for the environmentally conscious.

2. It’s Time-Efficient

Online coursework can come in heavy loads or be minimal in comparison, depending on the degree program you take. Either way, online degree programs are a superb idea because of how much time they allow for other things in your life. Say, for instance, you’re contemplating USC online MBA. While you work on coursework from home to accomplish your MBA degree, you’re able to set time aside for your hobbies, your family, or anything your lifestyle comprises. You will even have more time to commit to work because online classes require little traveling (again, depending on your specific degree program).

3. Less Paper Is Used

In a traditional classroom setting, many assignments, syllabi, and exams are printed on paper. Online courses eliminate the need for paper because the syllabus and accompanying materials are all within the learning management system. It is optional to print out notes or any other important documents, but it won’t be necessary. On average, 62% of college students print at least 10-20 pages per week—which would equal about at least 320 pages in a 16-week semester!

4. It Saves Money

Aside from saving money on gas, you can save enough money in the long run taking online courses. Tuition costs often remain the same for many degree programs regardless of whether they’re online or in person. But when you factor out commuting and other expenses like printer paper, printer ink, and other school materials, you can have more money in the bank than you can imagine. This is a positive because when you have more money left over for yourself, you can use it for other necessities such as bills and groceries.

5. Your Car Will Thank You

Regardless of whether you complete your degree program online or on campus, you may use your car for many other things aside from school and commuting purposes. By taking online classes, you won’t have to worry about commuting often. But what’s even greater is that it can cut the chances of oil changes and other maintenance repairs in half. This way, you can utilize your car more often for other purposes such as work, meeting with friends, or traveling. It’s also worth noting that you’ll be able to save your tires some air.

6. It’s an Effective Motivator

If you recently decided to become more environmentally conscious with your lifestyle, you are in luck. Learning about how to care for our planet can be tricky because one may be used to the way they consume and discard things. When you complete a degree program online, you are already committing to this lifestyle in greater ways than you think—less paper, less gas, and more time for everything. When you keep this in mind, transitioning to an eco-friendly lifestyle is a wonderful motivator to keep at it!

An online degree program may not be for everyone, and that’s OK. Environmentally speaking, though, the pros of choosing to complete coursework online greatly the cons.