Austin,
Yes, sometimes the expectations that are set (by the admissions process, hearsay from friends, etc.) prior to the student entering the learning environment are extremely diffuclt to reverse once they are in class. Nevertheless, the reality "is what it is" and the misinformation acquired by the student is one of today's (many) hazards of the online instructional industry that have yet to be resolved.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt