[finaliteration]

While I think this project and the data are interesting, one thing that becomes problematic is that you actually DO have to invest time in whatever courses you register for at most colleges and universities (or at least the ones that I've seen).

Generally, if you aren't making adequate progress in a course, you can be dropped by the instructor mid-semester/quarter or placed on academic probation, both of which can cause you to fall below the minimum number of credits needed to be eligible for healthcare coverage.

So while you may save some money on health insurance, you lose a potentially large amount of time due to having to keep up with coursework to maintain eligibility.

That being said, this may not be a problem if they are courses you are actually interested in and can dedicate time to completing.

[alanbernstein]

Take big engineering classes at a state school, nobody will pay any attention to you.

[rossdavidh]

True that, but in many cases, if you just need to stay enrolled and don't have the stress of needing a good grade or to juggle a full load, it could be just eating into your TV couch potato time, be way more interesting and rewarding, and be a win as well. Depends on how much you have to take to get the insurance, though.

[antcas]

100%

This works out best if you're taking classes that are relevant to you so that you're getting value from the time spent as well.

Otherwise your goal should be to find the easiest most phone-in-able class possible.

[ethbro]

> Otherwise your goal should be to find the easiest most phone-in-able class possible.

Thanks, COVID!

[nip180]

Funny, I was thinking that the opportunity to spend time in classes sounds like a win. I’d love to brush up on discrete math and take a bowling credit for the next five months.

[asdff]

Back in undergrad there were 1 credit hour online classes that you could bust out entirely in probably 2 hours total of focused work. Small price to pay imo.