6 Tips to Succeed in Online Courses for Busy Students
Even though the flexibility of online courses helps fit education into any lifestyle, students with busy schedules can experience difficulty remaining committed to their education.
The staff at BCI wants to help our students or prospective students feel equipped with tips to succeed in your online course. Since many of our students are full/part time workers, parents, active military members, or pursuing multiple online courses, we understand the struggle to carve out time to study. As long as you have a steadfast approach that includes goal setting, custom study schedules, and dedication, you’ll make your way through the course. Check out the tips below to help you find success in your online studies:
1. Confirm Technical Requirements
Online classes prove to be great for students that have busy schedules, effortlessly accessing their course material anywhere and at any time. In order to facilitate online learning, you must understand the technical requirements and be able to meet them. You will need a computer, laptop, or smart device to access the student portal, but you may also need secure Wi-Fi, speakers/headphones, to enable cookies in your web browser, and anything else your program requires. Understand what you need and how it works before starting your studies. This eliminates distractions and frustrations once you start.
2. Check the Discussion Board
Instructors can communicate with students through the discussion board. Although the discussion board posts are optional for students, each instructor will post on the board and engage with students over course related topics, the career field, industry news, and more. This connects the instructor and student but also allow students to connect with other students and apply this knowledge into the field of study.
3. Make a Schedule
BCI does not create exam schedules for you. Only you know what you can complete and when. Use the Student Handbook to guide you in your due dates and planning but have your own system to keep yourself on track. Create a schedule that allows you to track assignments, hit milestones, and complete a new lesson. Your course outline will show you how many units are remaining in the course and how many chapters are in each unit. Use this tool to pace yourself through each unit. A consistent schedule is one of the best ways to succeed in your online studies.
4. Keep Yourself Focused
Some of the more significant differences from online studying and traditional classrooms are the two following points: studying online removes the constant professor and peer reminders of due dates and a traditional class is disciplined and quiet when a teacher enters but online classrooms need to fight for a distraction-free place to study.
However, these two hurdles are easily conquered and should not deter you away from taking an online course. All it takes to succeed is to keep your notes and your workspace organized. Clutter in your workspace will make it more difficult to focus and an online course requires you to focus.
Use a system that you are comfortable with and that you know you’ll be consistent in using. Even if you are busy, following these simple tips will help you succeed in completing your online career training.
5. Designate a Study Spot
It’s important to determine where you will do most of your work and studying for your online education. You will want this spot to be comfortable, equipped with good lighting, and free of distractions. You can keep snacks in this space, spare supplies, your materials, and whatever else you might want nearby as you work.
Without a solid space for your education, you could find yourself distracted often or even losing important papers. To avoid any interferences with your education, picking the best possible place for you to learn, practice, and implement your knowledge is key to being successful.
6. Take Breaks
Study breaks might seem daunting, but they can actually increase your productivity. Giving yourself time to step away and grab a snack, talk with a loved one, or go for a walk, and you will come back to your work feeling refreshed and focused.
Another way to take a break is to reward yourself when you complete a task or do well on an exam. This positive reinforcement reminds your brain that it pays to study. You should feel good about your accomplishments, so celebrating your wins, no matter how small, reminds you that the hard work is worth it. Having these rewards and accomplishments will motivate you to continue with your work and succeed.
