| r you obtain your degree on campus or online, | | | | much beyond your own determination and |
| studying is a major prerequisite to earning that | | | | persistence to encourage you to catch up. If |
| degree. However, studying for a traditional class | | | | you're having trouble concentrating and focusing |
| and for an online class will involve different tactics | | | | early on when you are on schedule with the rest |
| and techniques due to the different ways the | | | | of your class, it will likely be impossible for you to |
| classes are conducted. | | | | push yourself to catch up with what you missed |
| Traditional classrooms involve you attending class | | | | if you fall behind. So do everything you can to not |
| at predetermined times at least once a week, | | | | fall behind in your online coursework. |
| sometimes more. You participate in verbal | | | | Some tips to help you stay focused and |
| discussions about the material you read with your | | | | determined to complete your online courses: |
| professor and classmates, you directly listen to | | | | Try to develop a schedule you can stick to and |
| lectures from the professor and take notes on it, | | | | log in at or around the same time every day; this |
| you have physical textbooks you take with you | | | | will help you stay on track with your online |
| to class, you hand in your assignments directly to | | | | courses. |
| the professor, and you take the tests and | | | | If you are the only one in your household at the |
| quizzes expected of you when the professor | | | | time you are taking your online courses, either |
| decides to give them to you. | | | | turn off the phone, take it off the hook, or let |
| Online classrooms, on the other hand, don't usually | | | | the answering machine or voicemail pick up any |
| require you to attend a traditional classroom, you | | | | messages you receive; you don't need phone calls |
| don't have verbal discussions about the material | | | | distracting you from your online coursework. |
| you read, you read the information the professor | | | | Write down the reason you want to complete |
| has given you online or you watch a video stream | | | | this online course and post it near your computer |
| of the professor's lecture right on your computer | | | | monitor so you can always look to it when you |
| screen, you usually don't have physical textbooks | | | | are feeling down and are distracted by outside |
| (everything is online, from the course material to | | | | factors. |
| the homework assignments,) and you have | | | | Think about your loved ones and the better life |
| several days or even weeks to take the required | | | | you can provide for them when you get your |
| tests and quizzes to pass the course. | | | | degree. You might even consider putting pictures |
| As you can tell, completing an online course from | | | | of them near your monitor, though if you feel |
| a traditional offline course is a bit different - for | | | | you will be distracted by those pictures and start |
| one thing, you are mostly on your own when it | | | | daydreaming about good times you've had with |
| comes to an online course; the main | | | | them, it's probably better if you don't put pictures |
| communication you will have with your professor | | | | near your monitor. But, if those pictures will give |
| and classmates will be all online via message | | | | you added motivation to do your best and |
| boards, email, instant messaging, etc. You may be | | | | complete the online coursework, it's something |
| able to call your professor with questions you | | | | worth considering. |
| might have, but for the most part, there will be | | | | It's also important to take time away from the |
| no verbal communication with other members of | | | | computer as well; just because you are taking an |
| the course. | | | | online course that is challenging doesn't mean you |
| Therefore, you need to be really committed to | | | | should spend 24 hours a day on the computer. |
| completing the online coursework and motivate | | | | Put forth the time and effort required of you, but |
| yourself to do so. This isn't always easy, | | | | don't forget that spending all your time online with |
| especially for people who like to have verbal | | | | your coursework will likely lead to burnout and a |
| communication with their professors and fellow | | | | loss of interest in completing your course. |
| classmates. An online course can be a lonely | | | | Therefore, schedule some time away from the |
| experience for them. | | | | computer for a favourite activity, especially with |
| In addition, when you factor in the other demands | | | | loved ones. The time away will recharge you and |
| of your life, such as your current career, your | | | | give you added motivation to complete your |
| spouse and children, paying bills, etc., it can be | | | | online courses as efficiently as possible. |
| very easy to become distracted and not put | | | | Online courses are becoming a mainstream way |
| forth your best effort or even slack off of | | | | of obtaining a degree, but one must be aware |
| attending online classes on an everyday basis. | | | | that this new type of learning presents unique |
| One of the main keys to staying on track with | | | | challenges that must be addressed in order for |
| your online coursework is to log in every day, or | | | | one to really thrive in this new type of learning |
| at least 5-6 times a week; once you fall behind, | | | | environment. |
| it's very difficult to catch up, and you won't have | | | | |