Hey everyone! I'm usually the one snagging a seat in the front row of my VUJC classrooms. There's just something about that face-to-face interaction, the live discussions, and the energy of being in the same room as the professor and my classmates that make learning easier for me. But for this summer semester, like some of you might be experiencing, I decided to take a course online because in person courses are very limited. My one and only course is Microeconomics. Last semester was my first experience with online courses, and I took two courses. It began rough but I did so well I thought I should share how I was able to achieve A grades.
Online learning felt different, almost like learning a new language. The flexibility was nice, but the lack of that physical classroom structure also presented some unexpected challenges. However, I found my footing around week 3 and even started to appreciate the unique aspects of online learning. So, for those of you who are also more accustomed to the in person experience but find yourselves in a virtual classroom this summer, here's what I've learned to succeed in online courses.
The first thing you should do before you commit to an online course is RESEARCH! Find out who is teaching the online course you plan on taking. There may be more than 1 instructor teaching the same course so find out via feedback how other students felt about the course. Different Instructors arrange their courses differently and how well the course is organized and structured can make a huge difference for your success. Last semester a fellow student and I had the same online course but different Instructors and I was lucky my instructor had a well organized and easily navigated system. The Instructor my friend had made the course way harder with hard to find assignments and no organization. We compared the course layout on our laptops one day and I was relieved my instructor took the time to structure it so well.
Once you are enrolled in your online course -
* Schedule It Like It's Real: Treat your online course with the same time commitment as an in-person one. Block out specific study times in your calendar and stick to them.
* Set Up a Focus Zone: Designate a quiet, dedicated workspace to help your brain switch into study mode. A distraction free zone is very important!
* Know the Platform: Get comfortable with our college's online learning system (Blackboard, Canvas, etc.) to easily access materials and assignments. Make sure you can access everything prior to the first day. If you don't understand how to access it, get in person help at the library.
* Connect Online: Actively participate in discussion forums and don't hesitate to reach out to your instructor during virtual office hours or via email. I found that communication with my instructors solved a couple of mistakes in the course that nobody had spoke up about until I made the instructor aware of it. Then everyone was able to speak up.
* Break Down Big Tasks: Tackle large assignments by dividing them into smaller, more manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
* Be Proactive: Take ownership of your learning by seeking out answers and help when you need it. Don't be embarrassed to ask 100 questions if you have to. You are paying for your education so that is included in the cost.
* Minimize Digital Distractions: Actively silence social media and other online temptations during study time.
* Use Flexibility Wisely: Schedule study time when you're most focused, but don't let flexibility turn into procrastination. I have found myself procrastinating this week ,so I also get the urge to save it for later. I could have saved myself a lot of stress last semester though if I fought those urges.
While I still appreciate the energy of in-person classes, these strategies have helped me succeed in the online environment. It takes self-discipline, but with the right approach, we can all navigate the digital classroom effectively. Good luck to everyone taking online courses! We've got this!
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