Halloween is the best time of year to be a college student. On October 31st, you can expect college campuses all across the nation to be swarming with groups of inebriated costume party enthusiasts. Well, everywhere except the online campuses, that is.

With the economy in the dumps, many students have turned to the campuses without walls (or floors or ceilings!) to earn their degrees. Along with the sharp rise in online students comes the decline in the number of people who choose to attend “traditional” ground campuses. Forget what this means for the economy, we’re more concerned about what’s going to happen to the PARTIES. Will the usual herd of drunken scholars still be able to perform keg stands while wearing fake vampire teeth? Or will the mob dwindle down to a sad gaggle of Harry Potter look-alikes shot-gunning spiked Witch’s Brew?

Many sociologists, such as Professor O’Kelly, are worried about how the sharp increase in online schools will affect the cherished pagan celebration.

“College campuses have always been a breeding ground for celebrations and festivities. Now that more students are getting the same education for half the price from the comfort of their couch, what is keeping them from associating with their fellow students?” asks Professor O’Kelly. To repeat—what will happen to the PARTIES?

Online learning has certainly made it easier for students to fit an education into their busy schedules, but it has also hindered the social aspect of college life. When the majority of your communication with your classmates is through message boards and emails, it becomes a tad more difficult to hang out “after school”. Never fear, online students and potential party-goers—this doesn’t have to be the case! Little do people know that online campuses have their own social appeal and can even be…fun!

Just because your textbook is your computer and your classroom is in your living room doesn’t mean that you should be deprived of dressing up as “Twilight” characters with your virtual frat brother or sorority sister. Below are some pointers to help you find an online campus that best fulfills your social needs. So, now you can make the most of your online learning experience. Do it for Dracula!

1. Look for courses that involve group learning. The more contact you have with your fellow classmates, the more that your online educational peers can turn into a community. The more contact you have with your fellow students, the more likely you are to meet up for a drink (or two or three) at the bar. Don’t be afraid to exchange phone numbers (unless you don’t plan on ever leaving your computer).

2. Take advantage of forums and message boards, and be proactive in starting and maintaining discussions and debates. Yes, discussion boards are not the ideal form of communications (disclaimer: try to avoid asking someone out on a date on your school message board), but hey, you have to start somewhere.

3. Many online campuses have ground campus counterparts. Find a school that allows you flexibility in taking online or ground campus classes. If you suddenly have the time (and/or need to get out of the house), try taking a class at the ground campus. The friends that you’ll make might make the gas money worthwhile.

4. Make sure that your online program allows you to connect with your professor. One on one conversation between students and their professors can be an integral part of the learning experience. Just because you are learning online does not mean that you should be deprived of it.

5. Some online schools offer real-time online class options. When all the students and professors are online at the same time, an online classroom community is created. This way you can become friends in real-time.

Finding an online course that allows you to socialize with your classmates and professor can be a significant advantage in enhancing your learning experience. Completing class work online alone is never fun, but sharing the task with an online classmate can enhance the excitement, or at least make it less dull.

Party on, players!

Top Online Party schools

To get you started, here is a list of some of the top online campuses. Each of these schools has its own unique learning structure that helps increase the schools social appeal which is why they are considered a part of the top online party schools.

University of Phoenix Online
The University of Phoenix offers both Online and ground campus programs in almost every subject. So, if you are enrolled in online classes you always have the flexibility to switch to a nearby ground campus next semester. As an online student you also have access to all the resources UOP has to offer.

Kaplan University Online
One of the focuses of Kaplan University Online is to add a human touch to the freedom and flexibility of learning Online. KU online courses include weekly discussion boards, web field trips, and interactive seminars, all if which help build a dynamic web community among your classmates.

Strayer University Online
Strayer University gives students the option to combine Online learning with campus classes. So, online students have the option to attend a ground campus when it is convenient for them, or not at all. Strayer also offers real time (students and instructors go online at the same time) and any time online class formats which lets students schedule classes around their busy lives.

Everest University Online
As an online student at Everest, you study when you have time. The University has a hotline you can call anytime to get technical help. Every student also has a Student Services Coordinator that will provide you with guidance and support throughout the life of your program.

Grand Canyon University
GCU requires students to interact with professors and other students on a weekly basis through online discussion boards and email. GCU stresses that the online courses are meant to be an online community and not independent study. Most of the online courses contain alternative methods of assignments such as portfolios, research papers, and projects over regular exams. Students also receive valuable, personal feedback from their professor on these assignments.