April 20th, 2021
7 Helpful Strategies for Success in Online Classes
If you’ve never taken an online class before, the world of virtual learning might seem new and a bit unfamiliar. Or maybe you started online learning during the pandemic and would like to continue but you wonder about a full-time adjustment. There are plenty of reasons to take online classes – convenience and flexibility, to name a couple—but you will need a plan to succeed. It’s different than sitting in a classroom, but you can still find success using these seven helpful strategies:
- Check Your Technology for Online Classes
It’s an online class, so you need a reliable means to get online—every time. Check with your university to determine the minimum requirements for each course. Use a desktop or laptop computer that’s less than five years old with a minimum of 4 gigabytes of RAM and an up-to-date operating system. Make sure you’re set up with a media player, sound card, and headphones or earbuds. For individual courses, you may need to purchase specific software. For example, for business courses, you may need programs like Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, and Accounting software.
- Create a Dedicated Online Study Space
Since you won’t travel to a classroom, you need to create your own “classroom” in a quiet spot in your home. Choose a space with few distractions, such as your bedroom or a spot in the dining room. Make sure that you have a strong WiFi connection and a set up for your laptop, textbooks, and school supplies.
When you have a dedicated space, you’re better able to settle into a routine. You can also step in and out of “work mode” more easily. When you enter the room, you can concentrate on school and when you leave the room, you can take a break and focus on other things.
- Set a School Schedule for Online Classes
Even if you learn asynchronously – not in real-time – you should pretend like your class has a regular meeting time. Create a schedule for each class and stick to it. Use a calendar, planner, or online app as a tool to help you map out each week. Mark off your work hours as well as any appointments or meetings you have scheduled. Then block off a few hours each day for schoolwork. Some days you may need to study in the mornings, and other days you may only have time in the evenings. Just don’t forget to include some down time in your schedule. You’ll be at your best when you get some rest.
- Stay Organized with Online Coursework
It’s one thing to get organized for a single class, but if you’re pursuing an online degree, you’ll need a plan to stay organized throughout your entire program. Make organization a part of your routine. After your class time ends, or before it starts, take a moment to organize your files and notes, and to clean up your desktop. Check your email and respond to urgent messages. Flag those that need your attention later. Once you make organization a habit, it will become second nature.
- Ask Questions About Online Classes
You pay tuition, attend class, read, study, take exams, and do projects, all so you can learn. With that kind of investment, it’s critical that you ask questions when something is unclear. There truly is no such thing as a stupid question. While it’s your teachers’ job to guide you on a learning journey, they won’t know you’re lost unless you tell them. Asking questions can clear away your confusion, help you do better in the class, and even help other students. Chances are, if you need clarity on a topic, someone else may, as well.
- Build a Good Rapport with Your Online Professor
An online learning environment is only impersonal if you allow it to be. From the start, reach out and get to know your professors. Email them with a short intro about why you’re taking a course or pursuing a major. Participate in class and be responsive through your learning management system. Be sure to pay attention to your grades and reach out when you have questions or concerns. Find out when your professor holds office hours and schedule a meeting for some one-on-one time. You’ll be surprised how approachable your teachers are out of the virtual classroom. You can ask for career advice or about their industry experiences. They may be able to share words of wisdom that you would never find in a textbook. And when you have a good relationship with your professors, you’ll have an easier time of navigating your courses.
- Socialize with Other Students in Online Classes
It’s easy to feel disconnected from your peers when you don’t share a physical space with them. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to socialize. Find a study group that you can join or start one of your own. If you live near campus, become part of the action. Join a student organization, participate in school-sponsored community service events, or attend a sporting event. Just because you’re taking classes online doesn’t mean you can’t be on campus once in a while. The more you connect with your university and participate in social interactions, the richer your overall experience will be.
Once you get settled in the online environment, you’ll find your own pathway to success. At Limestone University, we offer a variety of online programs and courses in majors like Business Administration, Criminal Justice, and Liberal Studies. Once you enroll in an online program, your academic advisor will help you navigate your way on the journey to academic and personal fulfillment.
