Ten Tips to Help You Get in the Groove of Online Learning

10 March, 2011 (13:00) | Getting Started With Online Learning, Going Back To College Online | By: Sandy

I’ve just started a new online class. I especially enjoy the first couple of days of class – getting to know my students and finding out what they want to accomplish in their educational pursuits.

So many of them are anxious and worried that they won’t be able to do the work after having been out of school for years, and I surely understand their fears. But I always try to reassure them that most everyone feels the same way in the beginning and that with a little perseverance and focus, they will be able to do just fine.

It’s human nature to feel nervous when embarking on a new challenge, but with a little time, things begin to fall into place and feel perfectly natural once the newness wears off. We have to allow ourselves a little time to get into a new groove.

Here are a few ideas to alleviate the first day jitters:

1. Explore every aspect of your new online classroom. Get comfortable with navigating to the different forums for posting assignments, participating in discussions, etc.

2. Read every message your instructor has posted for the first day. You’ll find plenty of information there to help you figure out what to do to get started.

3. Print your syllabus and then read it.

4. Print your course calendar and post it in your study area.

5. Realize that you can create your messages in a Word document, proofread them and use your spell/grammar check tools before you copy and paste them into the discussion forum. Once you get used to posting messages, it’s a breeze, but copying and pasting can help lessen the fear of posting initially.

6. Remember that your instructor is there to help you succeed. If you have questions, ask them, but make sure you do your research first. Most questions you have can be answered in the initial information posted for you. But don’t hesitate to ask for help if you can’t find the answer.

7. Make use of the Chat Room. Most online classes have a forum students can use to discuss assignments and other aspects of class informally. Think of it like a student lounge – a place where you can chat with classmates and help support each other.

8. Make friends. By finding someone you click with, you can provide support and encouragement both in and outside the classroom through email, Facebook or other social media channels.

9. Create a study schedule and stick to it. Read over your assignments for each week at the beginning of the week. Get an idea of what you need to accomplish each day in order to complete the week’s assignments. Don’t wait until the due date to get started.

10. If you haven’t made a study area, you need to find a quiet place where you can keep all of your materials together in one spot. If you have a dedicated study area, you will stay more organized and you can easily go back to your work and pick up where you left off.

Online learning has emerged tremendously in recent years, both in the number of individuals earning degrees online and in the quality of the online programs being offered by accredited colleges and universities. It’s a great option for busy working adults who want to earn or advance their college degrees.

If you’re thinking about going back to college to earn a college degree or advance your current education, Accredited-Online-Colleges.com offers a directory of colleges and universities that offer online degrees in many areas of study.