How to Succeed as an Online Student
While technology is creating countless new opportunities for education, many students struggle with learning online. Fortunately, there are many steps that can be taken to ensure learning from home can be just as easy as in a classroom. Here are ten tips for being successful as a virtual student.
1. Set a schedule
This is perhaps the best thing you can do to be successful online. Setting up a daily routine will make studying much more manageable. It helps prevent procrastination and has the effect of making you much more productive. As a result, studying becomes as routine as eating breakfast or walking the dog. If you approach online education the same way you approach the traditional classroom, you’ll have no trouble at all.
2. Find a study space
One great way to get into the learning mood is to have a space that’s only for schoolwork. This trains your brain to prepare to study once you enter the space. Ideally, this location will be quiet, comfortable, and free of distractions to ensure you focus solely on your work. Always remember to close down your study area and head somewhere else once you’re done. Setting boundaries such as these will allow your mind to relax during leisure time and get ready for a workout during study time.
3. Cut out distractions
Another great tip for setting up your study space is to totally remove all distractions. The internet may be a great resource, but it’s overflowing with all types of distractions from social media to YouTube to endless notifications. This will destroy your productivity and make it impossible to
focus. Be sure to avoid distracting websites and block notifications while working. Also, remember to silence your phone and let others know that you need to be left alone while studying. It’s amazing how time flies while you’re distracted, so make it easy to stay focused.
4. Don’t multitask
Unfortunately, distractions don’t always come from outside the classroom. As due dates approach, it may be tempting to multitask, but this can be devastating to your academic goals. Always focus on one thing at a time. It is far more effective to work on individual tasks and knock them out one by one. In addition to working faster, you will also be able to complete them with much higher quality.
5. Gather your materials
Be sure to organize all the supplies needed to set yourself up for success. This includes the classroom basics but also goes beyond that. Along with a high-quality laptop or tablet, you’ll want a good pair of earphones to tune out any distractions. Also remember to favorite or save your most frequently used study websites/resources so you can access them quickly. Being organized and having everything you need in one place will be a big factor in saving time and reducing stress.
6. Set reminders
No matter how organized we strive to be, there will always be times when things slip our minds. Setting digital reminders is a perfect way to safeguard against this. Whether it be an upcoming assignment or a study session, having consistent reminders will ensure you never forget what tasks you have for the day.
7. Get in touch
When starting your class, don’t forget to break the ice with your instructor. Having a good virtual relationship with them is fundamental to success as an online student. Sending them a direct message or email is a great way to do this. If it’s available, speaking with them via video conference is an even better method. This will give you the ability to interact face to face and ask questions in real time, which can be an invaluable experience when studying online.
8. Dress for success
Anyone who works from home will tell you how tempting it is to work in your pajamas. This may seem like a comfy, cozy idea, but there’s also a case to be made for getting dressed for class, even online class. You’ll feel much more confident, put together and ready to work. This goes back to the principal of treating online classes identical in-person classes. Remember, your appearance effects how you feel and how you feel effects how you perform.
9. Meet your classmates
If you’re in a course with online discussion boards, getting to know your classmates is a fantastic opportunity. This allows you to start networking with those entering the field along with you. Even online, you can make great connections and can start setting each other up for success. This often leads to friendships and professional relationships that can last for years to come.
10. Find work-life balance
When studying from home, it’s easy for the line between work and relaxation to become blurred. However, if you follow all the previous steps, this should be much less of challenge. Let yourself take breaks and have fun! Get outside, workout or go see a movie. Don’t forget to chill out and relax. Just because your work is at home doesn’t mean home has to be work. Study hard, play hard and you’ll be well on your way to success as an online student.
At Idaho Medical Academy, we strive to make education accessible to as many students as possible. This is why we offer an online option for our EMT program. This gives you the chance to take the course at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home. Our immersive online school will give you access to the entire course curriculum, along with easy ways to get in touch with your instructor. It’s designed to give you the full experience, even if you can’t make it to one of our in-person classes. If you’re looking to become an EMT through an online class, reach out to us today for more information!
