Thanks to advanced technology it’s easier than ever to find a degree or program online which is suitable to your needs. These often offer flexibility and blend traditional and newer, more recently developed online courses.
1. Treat an online course like a “real” course.
You need to have discipline and motivation to sit down and actually do the course, although you can be flexible with your times, you can’t eliminate the course completely.
Easy ways to overcome this include creating a weekly schedule to follow, remember that you are most likely paying for this course, get your money’s worth. Treat this how you would a face-to-face class.
2. Practice time management
Solid time-management skills mean that you won’t be cramming information in before your online classes or handing in mediocre assessments. How you manage your time depends on schedule, learning style, and personality.
Here are some visually valuable tips to help you practice time management.
– Look at the syllabus at the start of the semester and make notes of major assignments.
– Factor in prior commitments.
– Create a weekly schedule that you actually follow.
– Set reminders for yourself.
– Try time-blocking – allotting yourself a certain amount of time for each task before moving on to the next.
3. Create a regular study space and stay organised.
Set up a specific area for studying, by continuously completing work in that area, it’ll create a habit and establish a routine. Experiment to discover which type of setting increases your productivity.
When setting up your study space, make sure you:
– Have a good internet connection.
– Acquire the right books, materials, and software.
– Invest in good headphones for listening to lectures or discussions.
4. Eliminate distractions
The best students know how to lessen distractions and set aside time to focus.
How much of a challenge these distractions create depends on your personality and situation (listening to music while working).
Potentially consider turning your phone off to avoid losing focus, Using applications like Cold Turkey can help eliminate distractions by blocking the apps or websites that distract your attention, such as Facebook and Twitter.
5. Actively participate
Courses with online forums and classroom student groups mean you can answer questions you may have and give instant clarification.
The flexibility of online learning means that if you have 30 minutes before your plans, you could squeeze in a quick discussion around your schedule or project if needed.
Generally, most online classes are based around collaboration so this is actively encouraging students to work together.
