6 Tips on How to Take Online Courses to the End

Establish a dedicated space for coursework. Make sure the room you use to study has a good internet connection, is quiet, and is free of distractions (like the TV or bed). Creating a clear separation between your homework space and other activities can keep you from procrastinating or forgetting to do important tasks.

Set a regular schedule for watching lectures, and completing assignments. This will help make online learning feel more like a “real class” and will prevent the course from becoming the last thing on your to-do list. Aim for 3 or 4 hours of study per week, which is the same amount of time you would need to attend a face-to-face class.

Get to know your fellow students and instructors. Online learning is often a very isolated experience, so it’s important to reach out to your classmates & professor through discussion boards, email, or even live classes (if possible). Connecting with other students will make the course more enjoyable and can help prevent feeling overwhelmed by the workload.

Take advantage of your instructor’s virtual office hours. These are typically held weekly and are a great opportunity for students to ask questions, get clarification on a difficult topic, or discuss assignments. Be sure to check your syllabus for your instructor’s guidelines regarding office hours.

Create a calendar for the term and mark important dates on it (like readings, assignment due dates, and paper preparation depending on the course). This will help you avoid missing deadlines or procrastinating. Make it a habit to look at your calendar each week and plan out the term’s tasks so you know what’s coming up and can prepare accordingly.

Prioritize the most challenging concepts and study them first. This will ensure you are studying the most important material early in the semester, instead of waiting until the end and trying to cram everything into your brain all at once.