Interested in learning how to thrive with online learning?
Traditionally, attending school has meant literally doing just that. Either commuting to and from a physical campus or walking to classes while living on campus at a college or university.
Now, thanks to advances in technology, it’s quite possible to earn a degree without ever setting foot in a classroom.
How to Thrive with Online Learning
Pros of the Virtual Classroom
This approach to education has a number of benefits. For instance, if you’d like to enroll in an IT certificate program, you won’t have to drive across town to attend school. In fact, many currently-available IT certificate programs are now 100 percent online. This allows you to continue working and take care of your responsibilities while still earning your credentials on your schedule.
At the same time, learning from home can present its own set of challenges. To help ensure you’re successful in a virtual online education environment, keep the following tips in mind:
Learn How to Manage Your Time
When you attend on-campus classes and study sessions at a college or university, much of your time is inherently managed for you. It’s a bit different when your classes are flexible and you alone are responsible for staying on top of everything. To do so, create time management goals to help identify and eliminate your biggest time sucks.
For instance, if you realize texting friends and family takes up a lot of your time, or you’re tempted to watch a new show on Netflix, set a goal that for the next week to keep your smartphone in another room and your TV off when attending class or studying. Additionally, you’ll want to establish a firm school routine and stick to it as much as possible. Ultimately, it won’t take long for your body and brain to adjust to this chunk of time that’s devoted to school.
Create a Dedicated School Space
Another way to thrive in a virtual classroom setting is to create a dedicated space in your home for your studies. It doesn’t have to be an entire guest room or other rarely-used space; it simply needs to be as quiet and possible and well-organized. For homes where extra space is at a premium, consider buying a folding computer desk that you can clear off, collapse, and store away as needed. Regardless of what your workspace looks like, be sure it’s in a spot of the house that has a reliable high-speed internet connection.
Be an Active Learner
In a traditional classroom, it’s easy enough to raise your hand and ask a question when you need help. When attending an online class, getting the answers to your questions won’t happen in person. But it’s still important that you seek out help when you need it. If something the instructor is covering isn’t clear, seek out his or her assistance with a question . You can do this during class or through email during any downtime. For classes that have a participation component to your grade, asking clarifying questions. This will not only show you’re paying attention but also exhibit that you’re an active and engaged learner.
Virtual Education Can Be an Outstanding Experience
It’s great to know that advancing your education doesn’t always require a long commute to campus. There are a number of online school programs, including certificates, that will provide you with the knowledge you crave. Work on time management, create a quiet space for studying, and reaching out for help whenever necessary. This will help thrive in your virtual classroom experience.
