50 Success Tips for Online Students

Online classes can seem daunting to someone who has always studied in person. But as more people realize the usefulness and advantages of online learning, more online classes are available for a variety of students. Here at ECPI University we believe education should be accessible to everyone, including those who are employed or have family or other obligations. When it comes to online learning, it can be challenging, but the end result is well worth it.

Celebrating 50 years of providing cutting-edge education in a variety of fields, ECPI University offers several degrees completely online. Here are some ways to make online learning work for you!

Before Starting an Online Class

1. Assess your technical skills: Are you adept and comfortable using technology in your everyday life? If so, online education could be for you. If you get flustered when trying to use a computer mouse, you might not be ready.

2. Assess your availability: Everyone has a busy schedule, and online education takes time. Although you can do your studying at 2am if you need to, if you have to get up at 5am for work, this might not be the best option for you.

3. Build your support network: You're not going to get through this degree alone. Make sure you have friends, family, and others to help you get through the difficult days. Whether you need someone to rant to or celebrate with, make sure you have someone there to listen.

4. Read the class syllabus: Find one exactly what is expected of you in class. Are you prepared to meet these challenges? Are you ready and eager to begin?

5. Explore your online learning systems: Whether it's Canvas, Moodle, or another program, you need to know how to use it if you're going to be successful in an online class. This is going to be your lifeline and one of the ways you communicate with your instructors and fellow students.

6. Schedule your study time: Just like you have a schedule for work, you will need a schedule for class work. Make sure you can fit study sessions into your busy schedule so you have enough time to devote to your classwork.

7. Double check all of your computer equipment:  Is your computer in good working order and ready for the demands of an online class? Or are you running Windows 95? Make sure your computer equipment can handle the studying and learning you will be doing for class.

8. Set up study zones for yourself: When it comes time to study you might prefer a coffee shop with a buzz of activity. Or you might need a quiet, brightly-lit room. Whatever you need, make sure you have a dedicated study space so when it comes time to learn, you're prepared.

9. Solve any issues that might arise before they become problems: You might be planning a big vacation during what happens to be exam week. Or you might need to update your laptop sooner rather than later. Before you start an online class and these issues become a crisis, make sure you can work through them.

10. Ask questions: If something doesn't make sense to you, you don't understand how something works, or you're just curious about something, get an answer to your questions. Too often not asking results in mistakes made and poor grades.

Managing Your Time Wisely

11. Make class a priority: It might seem like class can come last on your list of things to do because you can do your classwork at any time and there's no physical instructor there to tell you what to do. But a class needs to be a large priority in your life.

12. Don't procrastinate: Tempted to put off your classwork until something or other is taken care of first? Don't. Get your work done.

13. Stick to your schedule: If you've gone through the trouble of making a schedule for yourself, stick to it. Even when the going gets tough and exam time rolls around. This is what your schedule was made for; to keep you on task and moving forward.

14. Look ahead for projects and tests: Don't let a test creep up on you. Keep an eye out for when big projects are due and when you will be tested on your knowledge.

15. Work ahead: Better than simply not procrastinating, work ahead to ensure that if an expected issue that arises during the term, you're not completely overwhelmed. 

16. Check the website regularly: Have regular times where you check for class updates through the website. This will be helpful in the case of school closings, but you should also make sure you don't miss any emails with assignment deadlines or important notices.

17. Avoid burnout: All of this work sounds like a lot, but it's important to get your course work done while avoiding student burnout.

18. Get help immediately if you need it: Don't wait until a small problem becomes a huge issue. If you don't understand a concept or are struggling with a lesson, get help from your instructor before it becomes a real problem that impacts your grade.

19. Connect with classmates: We'll talk more about this later. But connecting with classmates can help you to stay on task and get your work done sooner.

20. Ask questions: No matter what you have questions about, even if it seems small, get them addressed. It could be not understanding an assignment or project, not getting a lesson, or even not understanding how your grade was factored. Don't be afraid to ask!

Cybersecurity and Safety Tips

21. Always write everything in a separate document: It looks deceptively easy to just type all of your responses and papers into the little box provided on the class website. But if anything happens, you've lost all of your work. Save all of your responses to a separate document to prevent this from happening.

22. Avoid strange WiFi: Your local coffee shop's WiFi might look inviting, but is it secure? The last thing you need is someone hacking your laptop while connecting to a public hotspot.

23. Backup your classwork: Once you have your work saved in documents or a writing program such as Scrivener, make sure it's backed up somewhere. If something happens to your computer, you will still have your classwork.

24. Don't give out your school passwords: This might seem obvious, but it deserves to be stated. Don't leave your passwords where someone else can access them or share this information with anyone else. Your grade could be on the line.

25. Keep everything you write: Work documents and Scrivener files take up a tiny amount of space on your hard drive, and you never know when you might need to access something you worked on in college.

26. Keep all class emails: Same as above. Email generally doesn't take up a lot of room and you have no idea when you might need to reference something or recall what was sent out in an email.

27. Have a computer repair/upgrade fund: No one anticipates a computer crashing. Do you best to be ready with some extra money saved up in case the worst happens. Being able to repair or upgrade your computer quickly will keep interruptions to your learning at a minimum.

28. Keep track of your electronics: Losing your phone or a laptop can be a huge issue. Make sure all of your devices are accounted for.

29. Keep your devices synced regularly: If your devices sync together, make sure they all stay updated, even if you have to do it manually. There's no point having a calendar with all of your tasks laid out if you don't get alerts from it on your phone, when you need it.

30. Maintain security on all devices: It's impossible to keep everything safe as hackers are always coming up with new ways to hack into your electronics. But make sure you keep everything as safe as possible by practicing good cybersecurity.

Advice for Success in Online Classes

31. Keep all textbooks in your major: Since your learning is building off of what you have already studied, you should keep all textbooks in case you need to reference something later or go back to basics.

32. Keep all links and projects resources: Create a links folder in your browser for each class and keep all of the information you find online. You never know when you might need to go back to something you looked up a year or even two years ago.

33. Follow the syllabus, noting any changes: Remember that syllabi are not written in stone. Make note of any changes or alterations so you're always ready for the next assignment.

34. Give yourself enough time for assignments: When you first get started you might not be sure how long it will take you to write a paper. But be sure you schedule out enough time to not only get your assignments done, but get them done well.

35. Use your support network: When you need someone to talk to, make sure you reach out. College-level education can be difficult. Ask for help when you need it!

36. Use your study areas: Make sure you're studying in a place that is most conducive to your concentration and productivity. Once you have your study areas picked out, be sure to use them.

37. Use your devices: Check Canvas or Moodle from your phone. Set up email alerts, if you can. Make sure that you are connected and informed about all of your classes.

38. Keep up-to-date:  A lot of people like to have a device free day, but when you're in online classes, that's not really advisable. Make sure you know everything about what's going on in your classes, from assignments to discussion board.

39. Keep in contact with your advisor: Make sure the progress you're making is helping you meet your goals and your graduation plans. If you do have setbacks, see how that will impact your graduation date and future goals.

40. Ask questions: Noticing a pattern here? Asking questions is a great way to keep up with your classes and make sure you understand everything that's happening in your online classroom.

Pointers on Interacting with Others

41. Introduce yourself: For a lot of classes, your first post on the discussion board will be an introduction. Don't neglect this important post!

42. Invest time in your classmates and instructor: The more you take interest in the people you're taking the class with, the friendlier they will be toward you. Be sure to also have a positive rapport with your instructor. You might be seeing them again, in another class.

43. Form a study group: Your fellow classmates will want to pass the class as much as you do. Use that momentum. Members of an online study group can communicate through social media and help each other whenever it's needed.

44. Find a learning partner: If the idea of a study group doesn't interest you, then find just one other person to work with through the class. If you select someone in your field of study, you could work with them again in other classes you might have.

45. Avoid sarcasm with people you don't know: It can be difficult to communicate with people online. Make sure you don't make a bad impression by being sarcastic with them in a way that just comes off as mean or unhelpful.

46. Be positive and encouraging: It's important to be a positive influence in the class. You're all there to learn and no one benefits if you make everyone roll their eyes as soon as they see your name on the discussion board post.

47. Contribute to discussions: Discussion board contributions are usually for a grade, but beyond that, it's an important element of class time that can help you enhance your learning on the subject matter.

48. Arrange offline meetings: If it's possible, see if you can meet your classmates in person. This can help you to form bonds and get to know each other.

49. Always use appropriate language: No matter if the discussion board gets heated or maybe even very casual, never resort to using foul or vulgar language. This is still college and you are still being graded.

50. Ask questions: Yes, you still need to ask questions when interacting with others. If you don't understand a point or disagree with it, try to see what the other person is saying and where they're coming from. Not everyone expresses themselves flawlessly through writing. Keep that in mind.

Are you ready to begin your education online? If you'd like more information about earning an online degree through ECPI University, be sure to contact a knowledgeable admissions counselor today to discuss your educational goals.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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