Online learning has become somewhat of the norm, but that does not mean that there still isn’t some adjusting to do. Many people may find themselves struggling to get used to the new normal. And with many of us both working and schooling kids from home, finding the time to devote to studying can be challenging.
Despite all of this, there’s a lot you can do to ensure your success. In this blog post, we’ve shared three top tips used by some of our most successful customers that’ll help you master the challenge of online learning.
Prepare to become a lot more tech-savvy.
Maybe you’ve just used your computer to surf the web before, but you have to become more well-versed on the technical side of the web. Familiarize yourself with any portals, message boards, libraries, video conferencing software, or file-sharing programs that you’d have to use for your courses. Make sure that any computer you use is up-to-date with both software and hardware. Freezing video screens and lost audio can happen to you if your computer, video conferencing software, or internet connection is not up to speed. You should also know the phone number and email address of the technical support for your course’s online platform. Technical issues can quickly get in the way of your learning experience. Ensure everything is up to date and working and that you know who to reach out to for help.
Treat your online sessions as if they were a regular college course.
At Smarter with Achieve, our primary goal is to prep you to pass CLEP tests, so you can bypass college courses and receive credits in half the time. Still, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your prep courses seriously, especially since you have to wait 90 days to retake a failed CLEP exam.
Learning online takes a certain amount of discipline as well as dedication to follow through. You should be attending all of your prep sessions and registering for your exam as soon as possible. Although learning online offers some flexibility, you can’t procrastinate indefinitely.
Just as you would for a traditional, in-person college course, you must “show up” to get the full value of your prep sessions. Treat your prep courses the same way you would regular face-to-face courses.
The good news is that our prep courses offer some accountability, as we use live instructors in a virtual, classroom-like environment. You’ll find it a lot easier to keep on track and get support than more traditional options.
Remove any distractions.
It can be easy to become sidetracked during your studies. If you’re not careful, these distractions can quickly derail your studies. Make sure to set aside time where you can be 100% focused on your studies.
We know learning from home can be challenging, especially when everybody else is home too. Find what works for you and set aside personal time to review topics covered in your prep sessions. You may find listening to white noise while you study to be effective. Maybe going out to a coffee shop or library can provide a quiet space for you. Perhaps, you struggle with juggling too many tasks at once and need to reshift your priorities to include study time. Do whatever you need to to create a quiet study space.
Consider turning your cell phone to ‘Do Not Disturb’ to avoid losing focus on your studies. Tune out distracting social media sites by installing a timed website blocker to your browser. These apps will help you block specific swaths of time for studying.
Start Learning Online with Smarter
Are you ready to face the challenge of learning online?
Smarter with Achieve offers prep courses that’ll help you prepare to pass exams like CLEP, DSST, and ECE, so that you can earn college credits faster. Our online prep sessions feature live instructors in a friendly, classroom-like environment. We provide the accountability and support you need to succeed in an online learning setting.
Sign up today. See how we can help you earn your degree faster.