Venturing into the world of online education for the first time can be a bit challenging. There will most likely be an adjustment period, especially for people who may not be tech-savvy.
Here are 10 tips designed to help guide you along and make your online journey a successful one.
1. BE SELF MOTIVATED
A requirement for online college is being motivated. The first way to assure motivation is to actually care about what you’re studying. If you care to learn about what you’re studying, you will engage in the text and content of the subject. You will be genuinely interested and want to learn. It is much easier to be motivated when you have a true desire to learn about the subject otherwise, it is an uphill battle.
2. GATHER YOUR RESOURCES
Be familiar with what you need to have access to, such as:
Textbooks, Online Chats, Professor Contact, Online Libraries, Technical Support
3. UNDERSTAND DEGREE PROGRAM OPTIONS
One of the most important things to decide is what degree you would like to achieve. If you have certain schools in mind, see what degree options they offer and make sure they offer what you are seeking before signing up for any classes.
4. BE TECH SAVVY
Being able to navigate certain computer software is important. You need to be familiar and comfortable with technology such as Blackboard and Canvas. Part of your success will depend on your ability to use these.
There will also be other resources available to you such as chat rooms, tutors, etc., and they will be online in various formats. You will want to be able to focus on schoolwork and not have to worry about learning additional software. Get familiar with these programs before classes begin
5. MANAGE YOUR TIME WISELY
Time management is essential for success. Online college indeed offers more flexibility than traditional classes, however, it’s important to learn how to budget your time.
There will always be deadlines and due dates for coursework. Learning how to schedule your work will greatly help with your success. A calendar is needed to log important dates whether it is on your smartphone or a traditional calendar. You need to have it accessible for changes and updates as needed.
6. START SMALL
It will be a good idea to start your new experience small to see how the learning process works. Taking just a few classes at first will help you get acclimated to the online schedule and what is expected of you. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many classes at first. A good idea is to start with one class during a summer semester and see how you adjust and like the program.
7. ALWAYS PROOFREAD
When you’re a good writer, online college can be a great learning environment. I recommend you use the Hemingway App. It will help you break down complicated sentences into more understandable writing. Using correct grammar and punctuation helps to get your point across. Read ‘Write to the Point’ by Bill Stott for helpful guidance.
8. MAKE GOOD USE OF DOWNTIME
With online courses, there won’t always be immediate feedback on the work you’ve submitted. While you are waiting, use that time wisely.
Getting ahead of reading or writing for next week’s assignments will only improve your grades. This will give you additional time to learn and anticipate the next assignments. It will pay off in the long run.
9. TALK WITH PROFESSORS AND OTHER STUDENTS
Find out what professors expect. This needs to be sorted out through the proper channels, such as email. This will require initiative on your part to inquire and get clarity from professors on such matters.
If you ever need help, you should know how to get help. Sometimes there will be an online chat or portal to reach the professor or other students. Reaching out to other students can be beneficial, as students often learn from each other.
10. MAKE SCHOOL ROUTINE
As with most things in life, we often learn by doing, and we get more proficient when we get into a routine. Online education is no different. It is best to discover what time of day and where you are the most productive. You can then give your full attention to the coursework, and form a habit from there.
Online courses are not vastly different from traditional classes. How information is transferred is different but otherwise, they have much in common.
Following the 10 best tips for online college will provide effective online learning and avoid some initial challenges.