As I studied through college the majority of my classes were traditional, taking place inside the classroom. However, a number of different classes were actually more convenient for me to take online over the summer as I went off to work or involve myself in internships. For me the online classes were actually a very enjoyable experience that offered me increased flexibility to learn and be tested. However, there were some key takeaways I learned in order to succeed in the classes.
1. Can you Even take the Class?
Your professors are an amazing contact to make. They have experience in your chosen field and can offer you great advice as you leave school. They also have a powerful professional network of their own and can give you access to this if you prove yourself in and out of class. Stop by their office after class and chat with them, ask them advice, and look for leads. Your professors want to help you and will often give you time outside of class to do so. Surprisingly many students never speak with their professors outside of the classroom.
Before the course starts talk with the professor about your hardware (is it fast enough), your software and OS (is it compatible), your browser (often software works best in a specific one), and your internet speed (will the pages even load). If your professor gives you the ok or if you read up on the requirements yourself it should probably be allright. The first day of class browse through all of the different tools the software has to confirm that they all work correctly.
2. Set Your Schedule
One of the greatest perks of online classes is the flexibility but that does not mean you should opt for irregularity. Select whatever time is best for you to go through the coursework and make that time your regular time to work. Treat it like a job. You need to be home at your specified time each day. Now there are exceptions to the rule but generally try and keep it consistent
Another part of scheduling is your study space. Like the timing this should be somewhere regular and hopefully secluded where you can concentrate on your work. By selecting a specific location and making it a pattern you will notice that you go through a mental shift when you enter your chosen space. Through repetition you know that this space is for studying. As mentioned, consistency is so important. Many online classes give you the option of turning in your assignments anytime throughout the course of the class. Foolish students often find themselves in a panic as they try to cram in ten chapters in two days and finish all their exams. Keep it consistent and if you have time get ahead. It will save you from developing ulcers at the end of the semester.
3. Maximize Your Resources
LinkedIn is the big one but there are other social media outlets to do this. The important concept is to make connections online. It can be very difficult to keep your phone numbers up to date and keep in contact. Social media sites allow you to do this easily.
Enjoy the software that you access to. When using online tools you may often use only the ones that you must in order to complete assignments but there are usually a number of very useful tools in your software suite. You should have gone through them all in the beginning of the class to make sure they all work. So when the class begins make sure to explore the tools that may actually save you time in the long run. One of the favorite tools I discovered was a citation builder that would create the proper citation in whatever format I chose when I dropped a url into it. It saved me tons of time as I didn't have to check all of the formatting rules myself, so don't hesitate to explore your tools. Whether you are hoping to finish up a Graphic Arts (BS) or a degree in Accounting make sure that you can take the class, that you set your schedule, and that you maximize your resources.
1. Can you Even take the Class?
Your professors are an amazing contact to make. They have experience in your chosen field and can offer you great advice as you leave school. They also have a powerful professional network of their own and can give you access to this if you prove yourself in and out of class. Stop by their office after class and chat with them, ask them advice, and look for leads. Your professors want to help you and will often give you time outside of class to do so. Surprisingly many students never speak with their professors outside of the classroom.
Before the course starts talk with the professor about your hardware (is it fast enough), your software and OS (is it compatible), your browser (often software works best in a specific one), and your internet speed (will the pages even load). If your professor gives you the ok or if you read up on the requirements yourself it should probably be allright. The first day of class browse through all of the different tools the software has to confirm that they all work correctly.
2. Set Your Schedule
One of the greatest perks of online classes is the flexibility but that does not mean you should opt for irregularity. Select whatever time is best for you to go through the coursework and make that time your regular time to work. Treat it like a job. You need to be home at your specified time each day. Now there are exceptions to the rule but generally try and keep it consistent
Another part of scheduling is your study space. Like the timing this should be somewhere regular and hopefully secluded where you can concentrate on your work. By selecting a specific location and making it a pattern you will notice that you go through a mental shift when you enter your chosen space. Through repetition you know that this space is for studying. As mentioned, consistency is so important. Many online classes give you the option of turning in your assignments anytime throughout the course of the class. Foolish students often find themselves in a panic as they try to cram in ten chapters in two days and finish all their exams. Keep it consistent and if you have time get ahead. It will save you from developing ulcers at the end of the semester.
3. Maximize Your Resources
LinkedIn is the big one but there are other social media outlets to do this. The important concept is to make connections online. It can be very difficult to keep your phone numbers up to date and keep in contact. Social media sites allow you to do this easily.
Enjoy the software that you access to. When using online tools you may often use only the ones that you must in order to complete assignments but there are usually a number of very useful tools in your software suite. You should have gone through them all in the beginning of the class to make sure they all work. So when the class begins make sure to explore the tools that may actually save you time in the long run. One of the favorite tools I discovered was a citation builder that would create the proper citation in whatever format I chose when I dropped a url into it. It saved me tons of time as I didn't have to check all of the formatting rules myself, so don't hesitate to explore your tools. Whether you are hoping to finish up a Graphic Arts (BS) or a degree in Accounting make sure that you can take the class, that you set your schedule, and that you maximize your resources.
About the Author:
The Boise college campus is the newest college facility in the city. With modern resources for both day and evening students, this campus provides students with relevant education for in-demand careers. Students of the Boise campus are proud of their school. Students agree that Boise is a great place.
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