So you’ve signed up for an online class this semester, and you’re wondering if it’ll require more or less of a commitment. Will you need to interact more with your professor? Or are you on your own? Online learning for first timers comes with a plethora of uncertainty regarding the proper way to go about it. Therefore, we’ve taken the liberty to present to you the top 7 habits you should obtain to make your online learning studying that much more effective.
#7 Understand The Expectations
Contrary to popular belief, online learning consists of much more dedication than on-campus classes. The fact is that unlike in a regular class setting, nobody is telling you what time to do your work or even when to get to class. Online classes are considered to be more of a convenient way to learn rather than an easier way. To be successful one should understand the expectations of online learning. This means being prepared to solve many of your own tech problems, be self-disciplined, and fully commit to working with others. Many people seeking a Certificate 4 Adapt Education often see online learning as a very convenient way to continue their education while being able to still work and earn a living.
#6 Reliability of Internet Service
Computer shut-downs happen all the time. Think about this, you’re working late at night on a paper trying to get it done before the midnight deadline, and suddenly your computer’s internet router begins to malfunction before you know it all your work has been lost. This happens more often than we like to believe, yet people almost never take the proper precautions to save their work. What we recommend is making sure that all your work is being backed up in real time through cloud storage services such as Google Docs, DropBox, or other service providers. In addition to this, we also strongly suggest saving all your professor’s and close classmate contacts on your phone in order to have quick communication in the event of an unexpected computer meltdown. Following these recommendations will ensure that you stay in communication with both your work and the rest of the class.
#5 Establish your Study Space
Wherever you decide to study, it must mirror that of a regular classroom. You wouldn’t be able to properly concentrate in a classroom that was blasting music or playing a loud action movie. Therefore, establishing your study space is paramount if one wishes to do well. This space doesn’t have to be a fancy desk with an expensive armchair, simply a space where you can feel comfortable and productive. Lastly, it is best to inform your family or friends when you’re going to study and hope that they respect your wishes to be a little quieter during this time. If all fails, you could also consider visiting your local library, they often enforce the silent rule, and due to their large size, you will more often than not find a quiet space for yourself.
#4 Check & Double Check Class Objectives
Earlier, we spoke about understanding your expectations about online learning and the need for self-discipline. Our Number four recommendation is similar to that. However, this will involve the understanding of the course requirements and objectives. Taking some time every week to look over your course’s requirements will provide you with an excellent roadmap. Although professors will often inform the class about changes via an email, you cannot rely on a notification that may or may not come into your inbox. It is a reality that even school inboxes are bombarded with junk mail and therefore, can affect your grade average if you end up missing a deadline due to a lost email.
#3 Have an Effective Study System
Not having a professor over your should reminding you every minute about the paper you should write is often the best thing for people taking online learning courses. However, this method is often what aids in reminding us about the assignment in the first place. So, when taking an online learning course, one should make sure to be their own enforcer. This can be accomplished by creating an effective study system in which you detail exactly when you’re going to study, write, and turn in assignments for the week or even month if you want. Maintaining an effective study system can also allow you to plan ahead of time when unexpected events come up, such as a business trip or added hours at work. Some of the ways you can put this to paper is by simply writing down a to-do list for the week. This way, you understand what you have to do and then be able to work on extra work once you know for sure that all your priorities are done first.
#2 Build A Relationship with Professors and Classmates
We will all need help at some point in our educational career; that just the truth. Therefore it is imperative that you begin to create a relationship with not only your professor but your classmates as well. This will significantly aid you when the time comes for you to ask for help. Some professors are not the best at replying to a student’s email, but what if you have 30 other students you could ask? Do yourself and your grade a favor, communicate, communicate, communicate.
#1 Set Aside Breaks For Yourself
Although for some taking an online class raises their procrastination, others will see the opportunity to work as much as possible in order to get ahead of their class. Although getting ahead is always recommended, working too much can actually be counterproductive. A decrease in sleep will no doubt hurt your thinking process and which will then affect your grades. So, every hour or so get up and take a break from your computer or books. Try to leave your study area and get some fresh air or simply a change of scenery if going outside cannot be accomplished. Trust us; your grades will thank you.
About The Author
Nicole Hinton
Nicole is a freelancer & passionate blogger. She has 4+ years of experience in digital marketing and specialize in content writing, content marketing and organic search engine optimization. She has worked with many brands from Canada as well as the USA. Currently, she manages content marketing team of freelancers and doing their business efficiently.
