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Melissa
Student
Las Vegas, Nevada
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What is the best strategy for excelling in online college?
I am returning to college for the first time after 20 years. I am pursuing a BA in Computer Software Development. This is the first time taking online courses. I am nervous and would like to know any tricks to making sure I succeed. #online-college #success-strategy #retuning-student
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3 answers
YU WANG, MB, PhD, MSc
Assistant Scientist at NYU School of Medicine.
20
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YU’s Answer
I am on the same boat, getting a online data science MS 20 yr after medical school. My goal is to get the education I pay for and get the degree I pay for, nothing more.
Rebecca Levy
MBA Intern
5
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
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Rebecca’s Answer
Hi Melissa,
While, I do not have a ton of experience in taking a fully online degree program, I do have experience in taking online classes. My first tip would be to put away any distractions in your environment, such as a phone. Try not to start browsing the internet while you are in class. I have found that I pay more attention and succeed more in online classes if I take notes by hand in a notebook, rather than typing it on my computer. It helps to slow down and really write down what's important from the course rather than mindlessly type everything the professor is saying. If the courses have any live lecture components and there are opportunities to participate, definitely participate as much as you can. I have found that actively participating helps with my engagement and in turn helps me succeed more in the course.
Hope this is helpful!
While, I do not have a ton of experience in taking a fully online degree program, I do have experience in taking online classes. My first tip would be to put away any distractions in your environment, such as a phone. Try not to start browsing the internet while you are in class. I have found that I pay more attention and succeed more in online classes if I take notes by hand in a notebook, rather than typing it on my computer. It helps to slow down and really write down what's important from the course rather than mindlessly type everything the professor is saying. If the courses have any live lecture components and there are opportunities to participate, definitely participate as much as you can. I have found that actively participating helps with my engagement and in turn helps me succeed more in the course.
Hope this is helpful!
Rebecca Lacoste
Software Developer
3
Answers
Spring, Texas
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Hi Melissa,
It's great that you're returning to college! I followed a similar path, returning to college online after many years to achieve my degree. It can be done!
The benefits of attending college online are easy to spot! There's no commute required and you have flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to care for any dependents or work at a job during what would normally be mandatory classtime. If you choose an entirely online college, some can also offer some distinct financial relief, too, as the hours can be more modestly priced than a standard in-person school. Textbooks can be made available in digital format, reducing or entirely negating the cost of purchase. You can approach the coursework on your own terms.
However, those same benefits can be pitfalls if not properly approached. Having no set time to do your schoolwork can make it difficult to keep up with your schoolwork, and without the pressure and support of other students to interact with one can feel isolated, particularly when you're tackling a difficult subject or project.
Consider the following suggestions:
1. Set a window of time daily to focus on your schoolwork. Even if you have time for nothing else that day, take stock of all the courses you're in and refresh your memory on the assignments and due dates in your near future.
2. Most online classes have online forums where the students in the class can chat. This can be a great place to get the 'community' aspect out of college in a remote way, and to get answers to questions others have already asked. When you receive your syllabus, determine whether the class is going to involve student collaboration, be proactive in starting up a thread to search for potential project partners here.
3. Investigate the support structures available to you at your school. Good online schools will have avenues to arrange free tutoring and counseling if you start to feel overwhelmed. Remember that it's to their advantage for you to succeed, and make use of the help they have to give you.
4. Make sure your housemates know your situation and can give you privacy when you need it. Most online schools require proctored exams with a live webcam, and anyone who comes into your testing area could compromise your test result.
5. When in doubt, ask! The instructors are used to students who are new to the medium, so if you have any questions or concerns about how a task should be completed, ask. You definitely aren't the only one in the class wondering.
I hope this was helpful, and that your journey into online school is a successful and satisfying one!
It's great that you're returning to college! I followed a similar path, returning to college online after many years to achieve my degree. It can be done!
The benefits of attending college online are easy to spot! There's no commute required and you have flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to care for any dependents or work at a job during what would normally be mandatory classtime. If you choose an entirely online college, some can also offer some distinct financial relief, too, as the hours can be more modestly priced than a standard in-person school. Textbooks can be made available in digital format, reducing or entirely negating the cost of purchase. You can approach the coursework on your own terms.
However, those same benefits can be pitfalls if not properly approached. Having no set time to do your schoolwork can make it difficult to keep up with your schoolwork, and without the pressure and support of other students to interact with one can feel isolated, particularly when you're tackling a difficult subject or project.
Consider the following suggestions:
1. Set a window of time daily to focus on your schoolwork. Even if you have time for nothing else that day, take stock of all the courses you're in and refresh your memory on the assignments and due dates in your near future.
2. Most online classes have online forums where the students in the class can chat. This can be a great place to get the 'community' aspect out of college in a remote way, and to get answers to questions others have already asked. When you receive your syllabus, determine whether the class is going to involve student collaboration, be proactive in starting up a thread to search for potential project partners here.
3. Investigate the support structures available to you at your school. Good online schools will have avenues to arrange free tutoring and counseling if you start to feel overwhelmed. Remember that it's to their advantage for you to succeed, and make use of the help they have to give you.
4. Make sure your housemates know your situation and can give you privacy when you need it. Most online schools require proctored exams with a live webcam, and anyone who comes into your testing area could compromise your test result.
5. When in doubt, ask! The instructors are used to students who are new to the medium, so if you have any questions or concerns about how a task should be completed, ask. You definitely aren't the only one in the class wondering.
I hope this was helpful, and that your journey into online school is a successful and satisfying one!