Do you want to know how to be successful in online college classes? Here are the study tips you need.
Lerna Team
STAFF CONTRIBUTORS
Contributors at Lerna.courses
These 21 learning tips and strategies come from online college students from across America, Australia and other countries.
We ran a global competition for students to tell us how to achieve success in online classes. The entries were used to build the list below, which shows:
- 101 edited quotes from the best 63 entries into the essay competition
- the top 21 study tips identified by college students.
Many students commented that you need to be organised and self-motivated for online study success. They shared the strategies they use to help them be model students. Online classes are not easy, but by following these techniques, you have a great chance of being successful.
1. Set a Major Goal
My most important tip for anyone attending or considering an online degree is to stay on task. It’s understandable that sometimes things happen in life that are unforeseen and pull us away from our studies. But you must keep your primary goal in mind.
When you set goals that are personally important, you’re more likely to manage your time in a way to accomplish them.
For online study to be a successful experience, you need to be passionate about your chosen course of study. This passion will drive you to be disciplined and to persevere when deadlines are looming.
Constantly remind yourself why you are going to school. Online school is completely self-driven and reminding yourself why you started in the first place can boost your drive and help you achieve your goal of a diploma!
Keep in mind why you are seeking this degree. Just having the mindset that I'm doing this for my family, or I'm doing this for a better career, or just doing it to say "hey I did it" is enough encouragement to keep your mind on your studies.
Keep the end goal in mind. When I have been stressed about a deadline, or my thoughts are diverted from my studies, I like to take a 5-minute break and visualize where I want to be. My end goal is to be a social worker in the hospital, because my children both have a rare disease and the social worker has been a great influence to me during our many hospital stays. I visualize myself helping other parents during their difficult times, and it helps me get back on track.
Want it! Want it bad enough to obtain it through any means necessary. It's imperative to read more, listen closely, collaborate and keep in close contact with online teams, professors and peers.
Focus on the big picture and remember why you chose to study in the first place. Take one step at a time and, before you know it, you'll be closer to achieving your dreams.
That desire to attain dreams and become a student must always be with you, through every course, and for every goal you wish to accomplish. You must approach assignments with conviction, whether it be taking notes on a 2-minute educational video or doing research for a thesis.
2. Treat Study Like a Job
Make school your top priority every day and you can't fail!
Always remember, study is your work. Consciously choose to show up, absorb wonderful content available to you, schedule in assessments, lectures, tasks, and really set and keep those boundaries. Have a success mindset. Implement firm boundaries. Keep a schedule like your depends on it.
I plan to treat my online classes like a job. Setting daily goals and making checklists can help me succeed in each course and project, allowing me to prove that I can work efficiently and independently. Accomplishing small goals each day and creating a portfolio will help motivate me to keep working.
Some online classes ask you to post a picture of yourself that your classmates can see on your online class. I have seen some doozies, including shots that almost look pornographic. Please remember that your online class is not a model shoot where you get to show off your assets. Oh, and that also includes posting a picture of your dog’s face instead of yours.
3. Make a Study Plan
Make a study plan! At the beginning of each term I take the time to plan readings and work on assignments. Although I regularly adjust the plan if necessary, it keeps me on track.
Set out a clear and achievable study plan and stick to it to it 95% of the time, allowing yourself some room and respite for the unexpected.
Be organized and set a certain amount of hours per day or week into your schedule for studying.
I strongly recommend creating a semester plan, study plan, and time management strategy according to the prescribed study hours per week. These should be made a few days before the semester starts.
Have a planner for school only. In my planner I can organize my daily tasks or assignments that need to be completed. I will write down how many times I will have to be involved in discussion. I will also schedule my study sessions and which topic I will be working on for that day. This really helps me to stay on top of due dates and keeps me on track to be successful in my classes.
Plan ahead! When it comes to online school, you don’t have a set time to sit around and do your work. You must always plan a time specifically on your own to do your work.
Write out a weekly schedule with dates and times. Make sure to set aside enough time to focus only on school with no distractions. That's important.
4. Manage Time Carefully
Set a schedule and stick with it to keep you structured. People generally do better in a structured environment. So why not make it even easier for yourself? If you know what time block you devote to school, you are more apt to be consistent, avoid late assignments and put study first.
Make a weekly plan the day before a new week starts so you know what you are going to do as far as homework and research. Divide everything up during the week so you know what to complete on a daily basis. Review materials in small portions so you’re not cramming everything into one day, stressing out, and trying to hurry and get everything done at the last minute.
Estimate how much time you will need for study. Set up a schedule and inform your family / housemates. It’s imperative to have the support of the people you live with. They can't help you succeed if you don't give them a chance.
Success in online study boils down to one skill that can be applied to everything you do in life: Time Management. Make a schedule that you can quickly check to see what you need to accomplish and when those tasks need to be complete. Set aside time for yourself and for your studies. During your dedicated study time, try to disconnect from distractions like social media, your phone, or television so that you are able to focus on what you really need to get done. And when you finish the assignments ahead of schedule like the rock star you are? Look ahead and get a jump on future work. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
I used to wait until the last minute to complete and submit my assignments. That does nothing but add more stress. I have come to realize that, if I pace myself and stay proactive in my classes, I feel better about my assignments. If I mess up on something, I still have time to go back and fix it.
5. Have Dedicated Study Blocks
First and foremost, there needs to be time set aside each day, without interruptions, to fully focus on your work.
Make time for your schooling. No matter how busy you are, you’re going to have to cut time out of your life to focus on school. Sacrifices will have to be made – deal with it. If I have a kickboxing tournament the same night as an exam, guess what? Exam it is!
It is best to have a scheduled time to study. I have two hours a night set aside for my studies. When my boys were younger, this was after they went to bed, so I had from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. every night for my studies. Now we do homework/studies together at night.
What has been incredibly helpful to me is setting aside ‘school time’. This has been essentially my savings grace. I treat my online classes as if they are a traditional classroom setting. Three times a week I ‘go to school’. I literally block off a two hour window to complete homework, participate in online discussions with my classmates, and also study. I don’t allow myself to be ‘late’ to school or to reschedule class time in light of social events, activities, or anything else that could easily become a diversion.
Your education is important so scheduling the right time each day to focus on it can really make a difference. This schedule allows you to get everything done without feeling like you neglected anything.
Set aside a time. I prefer early morning. I run into office earlier (usually 1 hour earlier) and dedicate this to study. I lock myself in my room. Morning is best, because you are still fresh and have not yet had any work related stress issues have been brought to your desk.
Dedicate a specific amount of time each day or each week to studying and commit to it. A lot can come up in life, and there will always be many distractions. If you are a morning person, then wake up an hour earlier and spend some time studying. If you are a night owl, then dedicate some of that Facebook and Instagram time on an evening to studying.
Personally, I tend to enjoy (and benefit) the most from my courses when I deliberately schedule blocks of time in advance to devote to school work. This helps me to prioritize school and meet my deadlines, while still allowing me to have an otherwise busy, active life.
6. Find a Quiet Space
Pick a time throughout the day when either everyone is away from home, pick a corner of the house where you can relax and study.
Create a space of peace. You need to designate an area that is free of distraction. When diversions are present, it may reflect in poor quality of work; hindering your education. Discussing your "quiet zone" with your family or friends may be beneficial as well so they understand that your time is crucial to your academic success.
Make sure the kids are not around or are sleeping. I have found that a quiet house is much more conducive to quality study time.
Tell your family or roommates that you need quiet time and to not be disturbed. This works because if you are not disturbed you are not likely to lose train of thought or get distracted.
7. Eliminate Distractions
Allow quiet time to focus. My time is in the morning before the kids wake up is when my mind is awake, fresh to new ideas and most creative. I believe that creativity is an important asset for completing assignments.
Dedicate a specified time for school work each day and isolate yourself from distractions. When I was enrolled in my online Spanish class during the summer in high school, I made it a point to work at least 2 hours a day on the course directly after lunch. If it is routine, then it will be easy to maintain. I also placed myself at the table with only the computer so that nothing else could gain my attention.
I've found that it's important to have a designated study area free from outside noises and distractions. Turn off mobile phones and TV. Some background music can help you to relax, but it's important that it's not too loud to become a distraction.
Cut off all electronics or put them on silent. A distraction-free environment slows your thinking down and helps you feel more at ease because you are no longer concentrating about everyone else. It overcomes the problem of not being able to concentrate when you try to study.
8. Limit Social Media
Sure, it's fun to get lost in the black hole of Facebook, but when it comes to getting a college degree, that blue and white "thumbs up" gets shoved to the wayside for studying!
One way that I stay focused on my studies is by logging off of all my social media accounts. There are enough distractions around me in the real world. I don't need to add more in the virtual world. It's easy to lose track of time scrolling through your friend's vacation photos or reading all of your favorite comedian's hilarious tweets.
Since the computer screen is an online student's classroom, it may be difficult to resist the temptation to see how many Likes my latest post received, but by logging off and not having my social media pages up, I'm able to focus more on what I'm reading or on the assignment I'm working on.
When I have a big project due... I go off the grid. I will literally disable my Facebook account I will utilize my phone settings such as do not disturb mode so I won't be tempted to chat instead of work.
9. Use Online Resources
Use any of the student resources that are available. For instance, your college has an online library which offers sources for assignments. Another resource that is sometimes available is a writing center. If you need your paper fixed or just have a question on formatting, the writing center can help.
I would assume that most online colleges have resources available to help with your studies. The college that I attend has a virtual Math tutor. I also have an excellent writing center. One program checks plagiarism another check for grammar and spelling errors. The online plagiarism checker is also useful for testing AI originality.
My tip for succeeding at online study is to make sure you learn how to navigate around your classroom home tabs. This is where you will find your weekly assignments and activities. You will also find your teacher info and fellow classmates for if you have questions. Learn your school website so you know how to access your library, upcoming classes, website info, technical support, and more. Also make sure you know how to contact your school, teachers, and other people when you have a question or concern. Take time to click on each tab on the school website to see what they all do and mean before you get started.
10. Break Down Tasks
Having a detailed calendar of what you will accomplish each day will definitely give you the base to achieve your goals.
I have found the best way to study is to break the information down. It is easier to retain small amounts of information at a time and is not as time consuming. You do not feel as though you are "cramming". I can divide my time up on each section which ultimately puts me in control of what I am studying and prevents the studying from taking over me. Small breaks in between sections allow me to refresh my brain and give me the extra boost to continue on.
Create a timetable which breaks your study schedule up into 1-hour study blocks with 15 minute breaks in between. This style of studying will seem less daunting and allow for you to keep on top of your work. By studying in small blocks, your brain is also better able to consolidate and understand the information – thus facilitating an enriched learning experience, as opposed to rote learning, where you essentially forget all the information after or even during the assessment.
Each study session should have a specific goal.
11. Be Mentally Engaged
I like to quiz myself on whatever I am studying. This helps me to check my knowledge, and feel more confident when it is time for the real exam.
Go back and either watch the video or read the chapter again. If you do not understand it, do not just keep going and hope it makes sense. Going back and doing it again and again always makes it stick.
A good strategy for success is to turn off all distractions. Turn off the TV, radio and phone and focus on the work. This will help you to better concentrate on the task at hand (and without the distractions that social media can provide). When you allow yourself to become absorbed in study, learning improves.
12. Take Notes
Write down important points. Just like in a traditional classroom setting, taking notes may make it easier to remember the important pieces of information you will need to retain.
When I first started studying online, I found it difficult to listen to videos 3 hours straight and remember everything. Take breaks! Also, you could record teaching videos if they are only streamed online. Divide the video into several parts, depending on topics and sub-topics. Give the file a name (Psychology: An Introduction) and a date (27.09.2015) so it is easier to find at a later point. Write down in bullet points what you can hear (Psychology is…) in each section and put the time (01:35 or 00:57-2:13) behind it.
All of my books through my college are eBooks, and I use digital text for reading. I sit at my computer and use my headphones to listen to the book as I follow along, highlighting important points. When finished, I go over it and write all the important points in outline format using pen and paper. This helps me retain the information. Doing this has been vital for my study time.
Keep notes on a regular Word document and click on the “Ctrl” & “F” key to find information. This has been a tremendous help when taking online quizzes and exams. Your notes are all available on the same document and easier to find when needed, rather than having your information scattered in various areas.
13. Browse Intelligently
To keep my research organized, I created an online flashcards account and keep the tab open while online. I created a folder for each class and made a set of cards for the various study topics. When I find interesting content, I copy the data to a flashcard and include a link back to the source. Because the flashcards are stored online, they can be accessed at any time, even when I am reading online material using my phone.
You have the entire world at your fingertips. You can research entire events from history in color, or have a renowned mathematician take your hand and work you through a problem, or a scientist explain to you how exactly your solar system works. Use your time and resources wisely.
14. Make Study Enjoyable
Playing happy music keeps me alert and in a good mood. Keeping good vibes going while I study, make the studying go by faster, and much more enjoyable.
Play mellow music. When I study, the music helps me remember what I studied and I tend to turn it in to a song.
My tip is coffee, coffee, coffee and more coffee. Well, OK, that's just for me. And, if you don't have a quiet room because you have noisy children who do not come with a volume control, try noise cancelling headphones (joke).
I like to study with coffee. Coffee is my treat for myself when I need to study hard. By starting my studying with something I enjoy, it makes my entire study session better.
Have fun. It is exciting and rewarding to be in school and learning about new topics that interest you. It is too easy to get stressed out when going to school online but, if done correctly, the schooling can be very rewarding.
Above all else, enjoy the process, the opportunities and unique experience that online study can provide!
15. Take Breaks
Take frequent, short breaks. My mind becomes a little bit numb after an hour of looking at the computer screen, so I have found that stepping away and taking a few minutes to myself is a way to rejuvenate my brain.
Maintain regular breaks to avoid strain (and make sure your study space is set up correctly). A quick break and walk outside can really revitalize you to continue studies. And don’t force it. Do the work when you are in the right frame of mind (online studies are more flexible so you can do this).
Schedule breaks of 5 or ten minutes between study time. It helps you get a breather and grab a snack or use bathroom. You stay on track while also getting a few minutes of peace and relief.
Decide on a task, set a timer for 25 minutes, and work! If a distraction pops into your head, write it down, but get back to the task. When the bell rings, have a small break. Go for a walk, make a cup of tea, or find a dog to cuddle. This legitimately stops me from getting square eyes. Mum would be proud.
16. Stay Healthy
Stay healthy! “Mens sana in corpore sano: A healthy mind in a healthy body”. Our brain can only work to its fullest if our body is well. Have regular breaks that involve exercise and fresh air and eat good food! Preparing a healthy meal or going for a run is not wasting your time. I usually come up with my best ideas during a mountain jog.
Eating well, getting plenty of sleep and taking regular breaks for 10-15 mins to stretch the arms and legs helps keep focus and avoids eye strain from computer monitors.
Eat healthy and stay hydrated. While running around doing everything, I was forgetting to eat right and not drinking enough fluids. So guess what happened? I became ill. That really placed a huge stone in my educational road. You can't study online when you’re in hospital, so think about you.
The important thing is sleep. We as human adults need seven to eight hours of sleep to function. I understand that the need to cram all knowledge before a quiz is a well-known idea of college but studying is key. I am not talking about studying the night before, but possibly the month before. The night before a quiz should be dedicated to a good meal and sleep. When the brain is asleep, the mind can think clearly and go over past studying tips.
Getting rest is a must. I find my papers sound less insane if I have had a decent night’s sleep.
Don’t overdo it. Remember to spend time with friends and family. It is good to have some balance. It’s good for your overall happiness, sanity and for the preservation of relationships.
17. Connect with Others
Connect with others! Online portals, discussion boards and Facebook can help to find students in the same course, maybe even in your local area. Connect with peers and team up for group assessments, stay in touch, and help each other with proof-reading, tips and exchange of resources. Talking to other students opens my mind and keeps me motivated.
An important part of the online classroom is classroom participation and discussion. Posts that engage others in a back and forth repartee aid in the conceptualization of research papers and slide presentations that are assigned as homework. Although class participation does not amount to a large percentage of my grade, it does guide my though processes for the entire class. It accounts for the A-grade point average that I've maintained throughout the course of my online study.
Engage! Don’t disengage simply because it is online learning. Interact with your classmates and lecturer as though you were doing in-class learning to gain the ultimate benefits.
Communication with other students is vital. People may think that online schooling is a way to avoid talking to other students. However, this is not true. In order to fully comprehend certain material, it is sometime necessary to see another person’s point of view on the subject matter. Talking to other students by messaging or posting comments can sometimes open a student’s mind to other opinions or help them understand an assignment. Students learn from each other and cooperative learning is the same online as it is in any traditional college.
Stay proactive in your class as well as with your classmates. Ask questions and participate as much as you can. There are so many great opportunities as an online learner because the students in your class are usually from all over the United States. As a student, you are able to draw information and gain more knowledge and different perspectives than you may in a face-to-face classroom setting.
Communication is the number one thing that will make online learning a positive experience. Email your professor, post in the forums, text your classmates – use every communication skill you have to make sure you are getting what you need from the course. Getting to know your classmates as much as possible is a positive aspect of online learning. You never know when you will make a new friend!
I am new to online courses and realized rather quickly that just responding to the professor’s posts was not enough. To get a better grasp of the idea or concept being taught in a group discussion, we must ask questions among ourselves and respond in a positive manner to ideas that would be considered “Thinking outside the box”.
Email etiquette is essential and extremely important as it is the only form of communication many online programs partake in. A simple "Good Morning", "I hope this email reaches you well", "Thank you", "Please" or "You are greatly appreciated" matters a lot. Warm gestures go a long way and I'm constantly reminded that it makes a huge difference.
18. Join a Study Team
We all struggled in the same ways, with the same assignments and readings and, once we discovered this, were able to assist each other. Everyone is fighting for the same goal.
Create a team of virtual friends, 2-3, maybe more and have regular discussions. Meet up like once a fortnight to pick each other’s brains, see how far each is with the assignments, and also any challenges anyone is facing. This can be through WhatsApp or Facebook.
Build relationships with fellow students. I’ve made some wonderful friendships that are based on a mutual passion for the nursing profession and providing support and encouragement for each other through the highs and lows that can come with study.
One of the best ways to be successful is to group together with some study buddies. The friends I have made have been invaluable for surviving and passing online courses. We are there for each other to bounce ideas, work out task requirements, cram for exams and offload when stressed. We are encouraging and remind one another that it will all be worth it.
19. Ask Questions
It's important if you're struggling with a topic to be proactive and seek out help. Many online courses have great teachers just waiting to assist you.
Ask questions as soon as you have them. There's nothing worse than convincing yourself that you will eventually learn the subject and find out a week later that you still do not understand the topic. Generally with online classes, one week is built off the knowledge of the past week. If you do not understand week 1, you will have greater difficulty in week 2, and so on.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you don't understand, just ask. The professors are there to help. Failure to ask may cost you a good grade on an assignment.
If you are confused about a course or have questions about an assignment, do not hesitate to ask your instructor. They are there to guide students in the learning process. They want to help students succeed.
20. Beat Deadlines
Set a strict guideline on assignments. If an assignment is due on a Monday, do not wait to do it until Sunday night. It creates unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Most students find themselves putting in a lot of work on the day an assignment is due. I like to pretend that everything is due one day early, giving me a little extra time if needed.
For bigger assignments, such as outlines and essays, it is beneficial to set a personal deadline to finish 2 days before the actual deadline. Two days is an ideal time to do extra revision and editing to any work. It allows 1 day for rest and 1 day to revisit the work with clear eyes. That one day could mean catching errors in grammar that were missed in the original revision process and making a satisfactory grade into an excellent one.
Save your work when you are finished and come back them next day and read it aloud. You will find more mistakes that way and possibly see a better way to write something. This only works if you manage your time well enough to have those extra hours later to review.
Taking online courses does not mean putting away homework for a few days and catching up on The Walking Dead series, before finishing a course project 2 hours before midnight on the night it is due. I have learned to not procrastinate because I like my sleep better than pulling all-nighters.
Finishing work early means you have more time to ask questions or make improvements. The flexibility of online study should allow you to review and critique your work before turning it in.
21. Reward Yourself
If you get an A on a paper, treat yourself. If you get an A in the class, go big. You have to remember that you do have a life. Go out with your friends. Go to the movies with your partner. If you only do homework, you’re going to get burned out.
Reward yourself! "Look, if I can just sit down for 2 hours and kick this math in the ass, then I can take myself out for a nice greasy burger!" It always seems to be easier to motivate ourselves when we know there's something waiting for us at the finish line.
Gideon kwofie
l want to learn hard. its Good
Seth
Very helpful and excellent information.
Michelle
All of these things are great, but seem impossible for a full time working RN, Mom and keeping a house. This seems unrealistic.
Angela Crudup Perry
great information
Moon
great tips
Quez
i think the first important tip to being successful online is having a goal. When your mind knows that you have a goal to accomplish that give you a push, boost or drive and that reconstructors your mind and lets you know that you have something you have to achieve. Another one is Limit social media that plays a big part of having a goal. It can be a distraction and also time consuming, and that can affect and pull your mind away from having goals. Manage time carefully like studying for a quiz, test or doing homework by doing that it disciplines your mind, so You’ll be caught up, that’s another way of being successful online. Ask question the teacher always there to help something that you may not understand they can break it down step by step to help you. Beat deadlines if an assignment is given try to do it a soon as possible and try not to wait the very exact day it due or the day before.
Monica
Thank you so much for this information.
ishita
will make sure to integrate these tips into my study plan
Bhavishya Narravula
Helpful tips. I will make sure to practice them.
Latisha
I have a hard time knowing what to write down for notes, how do you know what to write . This lesson was helpful with that, its just going to take time and dedication.
Naemi
These 21 tips are very interesting, but I will pick two priorities. One is time management. Time management is the practice of planning how to divide your time among various tasks to work more efficiently. It involves setting goals, deciding what tasks are most important, and scheduling time to complete them. Good time management helps you meet deadlines, lower stress, and balance your work and personal life better. Distraction is anything that takes your attention away from what you are trying to focus on. It can be interruptions, noise, or activities that make it hard to concentrate on the task at hand. Distractions can reduce productivity and make it difficult to complete tasks efficiently. While I am studying, I put away my phone and disconnect from friends and neighbours.
Giselle Rankin
good tips
Gurpreet Kaur
I have recently started studying online. I really liked all the tips and thanks for sharing these all tips to make my studies easier and I will implement all these tips for my success.
Enjong-Fri ndama
A study plan is the best way out. Though there are distractions, it is worth having a study plan
wendy
great tips
Enjong-Fri Ndama
This is my first time taking an online class and i appreciate the great tips left behind by all. I realize it takes a lot of discipline to be an online student. No teacher to run after you with datelines and all. I just have to get things done and on time
Kristi Byer
I like the tip of treating study like a job. Another method I find helpful is using a Semester Management Grid where I note all my deadlines on one sheet.
Minimizing distractions is definitely key. Today, I started using the Edge browser and created a separate profile for school with only the links I need. I’ve also turned off the ‘discovery’ on the main tab to avoid getting sidetracked by news and other content.
Hakeem
These are the three study tips that I believe will be more helpful;
1. Make a study plan: I’ll plan out what course to study at each study period, and exactly what topics I plan to have completed when done. I’ll plan to use a strategy that worked for me in undergrad, a study timetable.
2. Manage time carefully: I’ll set up time blocks for each study period to realistically cover my tasks for that period. I’ll minimize distractions as best I can to stay on course.
3. Quiet place: I study best when my environment is absolutely quiet, so I’ll find the best quiet places on campus. I’ll also study with people who prefer quiet places for studying too.
Maria Perez
I find all the tips very helpful and i will use all these tips and i look forward to working with other students and creating a great study schedule and not getting burned out on school and take as many breaks as possible, because my education as well as others is very important and i am eager to learn.
Damarys Garcia
So helpful 🤗 after 8 years I started school again and I’m a little nervous but so happy for this new journey.
Ndema Kone
This information is beneficial, like making a studying plan and being in a group. We can be connected and learn more from each other.
Xiangxiang Jiang
I think these 21 tips are so useful
Lourdes A Gonzalez
Planning a schedule is the key ! I see this very helpful and gives me ideas on how to study and do whatever is pleasant while doing it. Thank you so much for the tips.
Levi Murray
I think this article is very thorough and on point, even though it is sort of long, all 21 tips are good. But if I had to chose 5 out of the 21it would be these.
1) Stay on task. with all of the distractions around you it is hard to stay on task sometimes. Some of us are working and going to school at the same time, so it is easy to get distracted.
2) Treat study like a job. Just like a job, you report to work everyday at the same time, so you should have a certain time everyday to study. On a job you take breaks at a certain time, it should be the same for your online class take breaks the same time everyday.
3) Manage time carefully. Even though we have other things going on in our lives such as work, children, children activities, spouse etc. It is very important that you learn how to manage your time when taking online classes.
4) Eliminate distraction. In order to eliminate distractions you should find a quit place to study and turn off all electrical devises such cell phone and TV. If you have children, you may want to have someone to watch them while you are studying.
5) Be mentally engaged. To me this one is the most important because if you are not mentally engaged you’re not going to perform well at all.
Again this article was very helpful to me, I’m going to use these tips to help me be successful on my online courses.
Chris Torrance
The points were all great. Setting major goals, managing time correctly, taking notes, and asking questions are all aspects that I now incorporate into my daily life to help me succeed in college. I give myself a goal to reach each week and strive to achieve it in a timely manner. It helps me challenge myself to see how I can accomplish the objectives set. I can definitely be my own worst critic.
I also love taking notes to ensure the material can be reviewed as needed. Taking notes has become my go-to method when it comes to studying. I also love asking questions because sometimes I need things to be explained in the simplest way. These are the ways I incorporate these topics into daily life.
Hakeem
Good note taking is very important. I find that my notes are helpful when I include diagrams or some sort of drawing, for visualizing concepts. I also find that notes that I write in complete sentences are more helpful than ones written using short hands.
Ebele Robinson
It took a bit of time to pick my top 3 study tips, as I found a number of them competing for the top 3 spots. I finally decided on the following:
1. Set a major goal: I remind myself regularly why I’m doing what I’m doing. I print out pictures for my vision board and place my vision board in a place where I get to look at it everyday. I also spend time to pray and meditate and picture myself at a place and time when my goal has been achieved.
2. Treat study like a job: I dress up everyday like I am going to work even if I stay at home to study. I do not take a day off during the week as much as possible, instead, I try to take Sundays off.
3. Make a study plan: this goes hand in hand with breaking down tasks and managing time carefully. I make a study plan with the end goal in mind. If it’s a major exam for example, I make a big picture goal that states my monthly objective, then I make weekly goals and finally, I make daily goals. I’m also flexible enough to adjust the daily goals as I make progress.
Bradley Cheathon
These are all helpful strategies and I think it is about finding out which one is comfortable for you and your learning style. I think it can also be helpful to try other strategies that you’re not comfortable with to see if it may be something you like more or something to just get down better just incase if you need to do it in the future.
Nikita Gomez
All the 21 listed points are amazing and can be really helpful. The most important thing according to me is to avoid procrastination and finish all the work the same day.
Ramanjeet Kaur
I believe the three study tips that will benefit me are:
1. Manage Time Carefully: I will make a study schedule and make it realistic so that I will complete it. It will include how much time I will spend on each topic and what I will study for that particular day.
2. Eliminate Distractions: I will allow myself quiet time to study with no distractions. Therefore, I will put my phone away. This way I will be able to concentrate.
3. Stay Healthy: I will include regular breaks in between my study sessions.This way I can put in some exercise as well which will help in relaxing.
Ebele Robinson
I concur that staying healthy is important. I use promodoro to remind me to take short 10 minute breaks and I try to talk short walks especially in the mornings or evenings when the sun is out, so I can also get some vitamin D, while exercising.
Debra Henderson
I love the idea of a study team and I’m definitely always taking notes.
Amanda
Those are really helpful online class tips. Thank you very much for sharing. The online learning environment is different from attending an in-person class, posing some unique challenges. I’ve been taking online classes for a while but haven’t been using the professional approaches recommended. Will be re-reading this article again and implementing the tips for online learning success!
Jones
I have really found this article helpful. The 21 tips are amazing. I had a few aha moments with the Study plan, weekly plan, browsing intelligibly, managing time, beating deadlines by setting guidelines and staying healthy to avoid burnout.
However, there are some I need to learn and practice often like connecting with others and joining a study group.
Overall, I am very grateful for these article and tips.
Valentine Ezeuchegbu
What a magnificent tips , it has given a fresher like me the courage to be more dedicated to my academic studies.
Sally Pritchett
I loved the study planner, because with busy schedules it’s difficult to focus without planning. Thank you
Justin LaScala
I definitely will be using these tips for the coming term! Especially the tip about treating studying like a job. I plan on setting out certain times in my schedule for studying and rewriting my notes. Another great one is to form study groups to help me understand the topics I may be struggling with.
Mallory Young
This was extremely helpful. Definitely will take advantage in remembering this advice, especially finding a quiet place and time to focus on classes!
cayden
all tips are well described, and well established, as well as being very comprehendible to the reader.
Leander W. Bunch
Great study tips, their already working for me this semester, giving me a strategic advantage over old understanding, unorganized way I use to approach class work.
Janice
I find that organization and self motivation are going to be the key to success . Managing my study time and being mentally involved along with good notes will help with maintaining my knowledge and review when needed.
Odudu Otu
I find the entire 21study tips very helpful and I believe it was carefully put together just for me, and
I am deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible for the study tips to get here.
Thank you.
Md Mizanul Haque
All 21 study tips are excellent. I wish to follow the tips as much as possible. I will save it and read when I need to motivate myself. Thank you all those who contribute their time to help us.
Keijuan
Very much informative and helpful during the college process, especially for new students.
If you follow most of the points you should be well on your way to succeed!
Michael Owoo
The top three study tips I view as the most helpful to my success as an online student are the following: make a study plan, manage time carefully and eliminate distractions.
Make a study plan: I will create a learning plan that takes my academic strengths and weaknesses into account and this will ensure study sessions are productive. Additionally, my study plan will take over-arching-themes into account so that similar materials for two or more separate classes can be learned at the same time. This integrated learning style will ensure that I develop a holistic understanding of classroom concepts and ideas.
Manage time carefully: I will implement study schedules for myself and group study sessions, this will ensure that study time is utilized in an efficient manner. As a result, I will have specific objectives and goals that must be met by a successful study session. Additionally, at the end of each study session I will note my level of proficiency in a subject-matter; with this I will suggest areas for improvement for the next study session.
Eliminate distractions: To support a successful study session I will shut off all electronic devices. Additionally, I will make peers, roommates, and family cognizant of my study time in an effort to minimize distractions. Furthermore, I will eliminate mental distractions prior to my studies via meditation.
Deb
I am going to make it a point to reward myself!
Kingsley Hope Nwachukwu
Brilliant work, thanks for this!!
Being organized, self-motivated and focused at the end goal, that sounds like a plan for me.
Kamesha Scott
Thank you for this excellent information. This information is very helpful for me
uchendu oluomachi
Nice study guide and online class tips. I find online classes to be a real challenge. Working through each of tips for online learning will definitely help. Just the first two tips alone are gold: set a major goal and treat study like a job.
Ramanjeet Kaur
I agree with the advice of setting a major goal. If I find myself stressed out, I will take out the time to remember what I came this far for. I think this will really motivate me in hard times.
Moyosoreoluwa
wow! This is so helpful. I wish I can save the contents on my PC so that I can come back to read it again when I feel that I’m slacking. I’ll definitely put most of these tip to work.
Laurnea Allen
great study review!
Donna Valle
The “21 Study Tips for Online Classes Success” has been very helpful to me in navigating the first two weeks of my first semester in the LIS program at UB. Thank you for posting this, Dr. B!
Josephine M.
Very important guidelines, make a study plan, think outside the box,team up and have positive vibes.
Crystal Sandoval
I think make a study plan is a good idea. I think whenever you plan out anything it makes life so much easier. I can plan when and what time I can sit down and complete assignments . That will keep everything organized and organization always helps
Ebony Daniels
Great tips! These articles were very helpful. Having a goal, and setting a plan is the main two topics that caught my attention. Many people don’t think setting goals and having a plan in place is accurate.
Sunday Akuru
1. Set a goal
2. Have a plan
3. Connect with others.
4. Beat deadlines and
5. Stay Healthy
Michael Owoo
Hello Sunday, beating deadlines is a great tip I will add to my study habits. As a result I will try to complete assignments before the given deadline and this will ensure that I have time to review the completed assignment. Additionally, this practice will help curb last minute stress associated with completing tasks so close to the associated deadline.
Rosalinda Alcorta
Helpful tips. I will make sure to practice them.
Lisa Haynes
I started skimming through this so that I could say that I read it and I found myself interested in all that was being said and started really, really, reading. Thanks for sharing this!
Wilson Charles
Great tips! Well outlined and detailed for freshers like myself. Thank you for the inspiration. Two great tools to keep in mind;
Study plan and Study group.
Gracias!
Amy mayoral
Great study tips !
Edouine Champagne
Yes, I agree it is vital to have a plan.
Lisa
How could we not have a plan. In my plan I like to chunk my time so that I get everything in on time.
Mc Bien Causapin
Pick a place and time. Everyone has their own idea about the best place and time to study
Laura
This is very helpful! Thank you. Create a study plan is important. Not many students think about it. If you plan ahead then you can start to see the benefits as a student of attending class online. If you do the assigned readings, homework and do your assignment at least a week before the next class starts you are less stressed out or not worried about what is next. The tips in the article to follow are excellent.
Joseph Ikafia
Very nice and helpful to we learners
Maryanne OnyemaOmorotionmwan
thank you so much for the tips. I am greatly motivated.
Make a study plan!
This was helpful
Samantha Siegel
This is so helpful. Online classes are hard for me but your advice and tips make me feel better prepared. I’ll be sure to take every tip into consideration and use what helps me best.
Shekira
very much informative and it will be helpful for us as students to stay on course and finish successfully.
Doneica Edghill
Thanks a lot, very informative. Anxiously awaiting the commencement of my online classes.
Thakur Singh
Thank you very much, this was very informative and helpful. Since it is my first time doing online classes I will definitely practice and use all 21 tips to ensure I be a successful graduate 2021
Melessa McCracken
Thanks for the helpful tips towards online classes.
Shameka Shanella Paddy Forde
This gave me heads up on how to tackle my studies
Hemo Dhanpaul
These 21 tips was very informative an this motivated me to work harder to achieve my goal. Thank you alot for these tips.
Danny Cheung
After I read this 21 Tips. It inspired me to start my “TO DO LIST” right away! Good luck 🙂 everyone!!
Barbara
All of the tips are relevant…just staying organized is key.
Ricardo Espinoza
Awesome tips to rock this class. After reading it, I can certainly say that it gave me ease of mind and a better understanding of how to be organized with class I hope everybody is motivated.
sherida torres
that was very informative , give good tips that i didn’t even think about
Mone Temituokpe
This is really great
Thanks I enjoy reading it
Savannah Scott
This has several tips that I will start using.
Trudy Huet
Great overview and good points to keep in mind when studying online.
Brandon Rice
The 5 tips I plan to use the most are:
Treat Study Like a Job
Make a Study Plan
Have Dedicated Study Blocks
Ask Questions
Beat Deadlines
Jacqueline Pestano
Thanks for sharing. Some very useful info especially when you have to balance work, family and your studies. I will be utilizing this.
Rebecca
This was very helpful! Study plan is very important. This will be very helpful in the process of this course. Taking notes and making good grades are very important for me.
234874 | karline bennett
I am in total agreement with these tips listed. As long the effective implementation is done and be used as a guide then persons will be successful in their course of choice.
Jazmin Huerta
Very helpful!! I just started college Monday and haven’t been there since almost 12 years and I just had my first baby last year. Kinda different and difficult compared to campus but I can do it. Thank you!
Deeloris P. Lewis
I was shaking in my boots about math, after reading this my anxiety has eased. I know I have to have a plan and follow the steps.
Tunji Joseph Olowookere
The first tip that stood out for me is to treat my studies like a job! This I will do by showing up everyday. Secondly, having dedicated study blocks and lastly eliminating distractions. These top three tips will surely transform my learning process
Ashley Jones
This was very helpful, Helped me to know what to do and how to help myself
Dorian Nater
– taking notes.
– making a study plan.
– keep my grades up.
Lola
Thanks for the tips. Very helpful!
Roberta
Without clear goals you want to achieve and sticking to a well made study plan, it will all lead to ruin. If you don’t know where you want to go and not break down your steps to get there, how are you going to make sure you do get there? It’s like walking in the dark, without any kind of light. You will end up somewhere, eventually, but where? And it’s probably not where you initially wanted to get to. And the road will be much harder this way.
Brenda Furnell
Very helpful information and good points. The article actually helped me calm down because I have much anxiety because its my first online class ever.
Now to get my calendar and get organized.
Rene' Winfree
I thought this was very informative. Gave some really good points on how we can be successful in this class.
Katlyn Dye
I thought this was very helpful. Especially for a first timer. It had a lot of good points and helpful information.
[email protected]
Take notes! Stay consistent! And everything will be a success . These tips are much needed especially for beginners like myself . I’m very thankful for these tips and will be sure to put the all to use to be a successful graduate for 2021! To say exited would be an understatement! Thank you
Mark green
Though it’s a long article. But all 21 points are well described. Specially joining a study team is very effective and you will always get the best results. That’s I always prefer this.
Rebecca
“Make a study plan!” – this right here is so important! Many students don’t even consider creating a plan for this and that’s a shame. You can’t operate at your best if there’s no plan behind it. All the other tips are spot on but it all starts with creating the right plan for you.
Tammy
Hi Rebecca thank you for the tip. I am working on implementing a study plan now. Have a great evening.