Spring semester is here, and you’ve made the conscious decision to enroll in an online course. Unfortunately, on a scale of one to ten, an online course can easily score an 11 if certain steps aren’t taken to ensure a comfortable grade. Never fear, here’s some good tips on how to stay on top of your online classes and get the grade you want.
Discipline is key
Discipline. Is. Key. Online classes require you to prioritize your time more effectively. No one is reminding you to get to your “lectures” which is what makes it so challenging. It’s hard to actually convince yourself it’s time to work when laptops usually signify free time. Having self-control is one of the first and most important steps before enrolling in an online course.
Turn on website blockers
Convincing yourself that Pinterest or Tumblr is off limits during class time is hard enough. Doing it while trying to complete online coursework seems impossible. Try using extensions like Self Control; it allows you to create a list of websites that are major distractions and mute them for a specific period of time so you can get your work done. Yes, Netflix should be on that list for everyone.
Do the readings
Readings are extremely important for online courses. Since there aren’t lectures to gather information from, professors will have you read articles or packets that pertain to the topic at hand. This is where most of your test content comes from so never neglect to do them. Even if you have to take it piece by piece and read throughout the day, focusing on reading assignments can only help your grade.
Desginate a “class time”
A few extra hours in bed does sound relaxing, but this can cause you to lose time that could’ve been spent on the course. Set an alarm for a specific time in the day (preferably the morning) and have your laptop ready. This makes it mandatory like an on-campus class which will prompt you to “show up”.
Participation counts
Lastly, but still extremely important: P-A-R-T-I-C-I-P-A-T-E. I can’t stress how important this is. Most online courses will have participation count heavily, whether that’s through discussion boards, forums or commenting on a weekly review. Participation is the best way for a professor to gauge that you’ve been invested in the course, and it’s also how they check attendance. Never neglect an opportunity to get your opinion out there while earning some points.