TIPS FOR TAKING ONLINE CLASSES

If you’re considering taking online college courses (or you’re already enrolled in a
program) the tips and advice below can help you address their unique challenges to get
the most value out of your online program.

1. Treat an online course like a “real” course.

When it comes to online classes, you need to have the discipline to sit down and say, “I
am going to work on this,” as well as the dedication to actually follow through. Though
you can be flexible as to when you choose to complete your work during the week, you
can’t put it off indefinitely.

One of the easiest ways to ensure follow through is to remember that you are paying to
take this online course, just as you would for a traditional, in-person class. You must
“show up” if you’re going to get real value out of your class. Treat your online classes
the same way you would a face-to-face class—or, better yet, a job—and you’ll be off to
the right start.

2. Hold yourself accountable

Set goals at the beginning of the semester, and check in with yourself weekly. In a
traditional classroom setting, you’ll often receive verbal or visual reminders of an
assignment’s upcoming due date. But without a professor actively reminding you, it’s up
to you to make sure you’ve allotted enough time to complete the work so you’re not
starting an assignment the day before it’s due.

If you’re having trouble holding yourself responsible, pair up with a fellow classmate, or
enlist the help of a spouse or friend to check in as an accountability partner. By being
organized, proactive, and self-aware, you can get the most from your online class even
when life outside of school becomes chaotic.

3. Practice time management.

The flexibility to create your own schedule is often one of the biggest appeals of taking
online classes. But that freedom can also be detrimental if you do not have solid time
management skills. Without them, you might easily to find yourself cramming before
classes or handing in subpar assignments.
Though how you manage your time will depend on your schedule, learning style, and
personality, here are some universally valuable tips to help you practice and improve
your time management skills:

 Look at the syllabus at the start of the semester and make note of major
assignments. Mark them on a calendar you check regularly so you know
what workload is coming in the weeks ahead. Don’t forget to factor in prior
commitments that may interfere with your regular study schedule, such as
weddings or vacations, so you can give yourself enough extra time to
complete assignments.
 Create a weekly schedule that you follow, designating certain hours each
week to reading, watching lectures, completing assignments, studying, and
participating in forums. Commit to making your online coursework part of
your weekly routine, and set reminders for yourself to complete these
tasks.
 When working on your assignments, try time-blocking, allotting yourself a
certain amount of time for each task before moving on to the next one and
setting a timer to keep you accountable.
 Check in periodically throughout the term, and look at how you’re
spending your time. Ask yourself: How much time am I dedicating to course
reading and assignments? Am I regularly underestimating the time it’s
taking me to get things done, forcing me to cram the nights before the
exams? A little self-reflection and adjustment can go a long way.

4. Create a regular study space and stay organized.

Set up a dedicated learning environment for studying. By completing your work there
repeatedly, you’ll begin to establish a routine. Whether your workspace is your kitchen
table, a library, or the corner booth in a local coffee shop, it’s important to determine
what type of environment will work best for you. Experiment to discover which type of
setting boosts your productivity. Wherever you choose, make sure there’s high-speed
internet access so you’re not trying to take an online course over a lagging connection.

Setting up a regular workspace or office will also help you to stay organized. Knowing
exactly where important dates, files, forms, syllabi, books, and assignments live will help
keep you on track towards hitting your goals. When setting up your study space, make
sure you:

 Have a high-speed internet connection

  Have the required books, materials, and software for the course
 Have headphones for listening to lectures or discussions (especially
important in shared spaces)

5. Eliminate distractions.

From Netflix to social media to dishes piling up in the skink, you’ll be faced with many
distractions that can easily derail your studies. The best online students know how to
lessen these distractions and set aside time to focus.

Exactly how much of a challenge these distractions will prove to be will depend on your
own unique personality and situation. Some might find that they can tune out a noisy
home by listening to music. Others might choose to work from a local coffee shop or
library to eliminate their urge to multitask at home. Ultimately, you will need to find a
strategy that works best for you.

Regardless of where you choose to work, consider turning your cell phone off to avoid
losing focus every time a text message or notification pops up. And if you’re still having
trouble resisting the temptation to check your email or surf the web, try downloading a
website blocker. Using applications like Cold Turkey and Freedom can help eliminate
distractions by blocking the apps or websites that tend to compete for your attention,
such as Facebook and Twitter.

6. Figure Out How You Learn Best

Once you’ve established where you’ll learn, think about when and how you accomplish
your best work. If you’re a morning person, make time to study first thing. More of a
night owl? Set aside an hour or two after dinner to cozy up to your computer. If the kids
require your morning and evening attention, try to carve out a study session mid-day
while they’re at school. Brew your usual cup of coffee, put on your go-to playlist, and do
whatever you need to get into the zone and down to business.

Not everyone learns the same way, so think about what types of information help you
best grasp new concepts and employ relevant study strategies. If you’re a visual
learner, for example, print out transcripts of the video lectures to review. Learn best by
listening? Make sure to build time into your schedule to play and replay all audio- and
video-based course content.
7. Actively participate.

Participate in the course’s online forum to help you better understand course materials
and engage with fellow classmates. This might involve commenting on a classmate’s
paper on a discussion board or posting a question about a project you’re working on.
Read what other students and your professor are saying, and if you have a question,
ask for clarification.

Make sure you are checking in as often as you can, too. The flexibility of online learning
means that if you have 30 minutes before dinner plans, you could squeeze in a
discussion response around your schedule. Set a goal to check in on the class
discussion threads every day.

And if you do feel yourself falling behind, speak up. Don’t wait until an assignment is
almost due to ask questions or report issues. Email your professor and be proactive in
asking for help.

8. Leverage your network.

Online classes may sometimes make you feel like you are learning on your own, but
this couldn’t be further from the truth. Most online courses are built around the concept
of collaboration, with professors and instructors actively encouraging that students work
together to complete assignments and discuss lessons.

Build relationships with other students by introducing yourself and engaging in online
discussion boards. Your peers can be a valuable resource when preparing for exams or
asking for feedback on assignments. Don’t be afraid to turn to them to create a virtual
study group. Chances are good that they will appreciate it just as much as you will.