Online education can be a valuable learning experience for many students. There are many advantages to participating in an online course:

You can learn at your own pace
You can decide when to complete learning activities (such as watching a video lecture)
You can connect with learners from around the world

Reading: Time Management (5 minutes)

Students need to have enough discipline to make time to study and participate in the online environment. To be a successful online student:

Log into your course(s) regularly (around 5-6 times per week).
Commit 4-6 hours per week to their online studies (this includes readings, videos, assignments, quizzes, and discussions)
Set aside specific times to complete readings and assignments. It may take a week or two to get the hang of managing your schedule. You will greatly benefit from mapping out the time it will take to complete these items. We have created a template to assist you.

Plan in advance by looking a week ahead and allocating a time and space to complete necessary items in the course.
Pay attention to course announcements that will remind you of assignment due dates.

If you struggle with completing your work, please get in touch with the instructor or the program coordinator so we can support you.

Reading: Tips for Success (10 minutes)

Here are some tips for being successful in an online course.

Keep an open mind and be open to a new experience! For many of you, this may be your first encounter with online learning.
Get familiar with Canvas (the learning management system) and the course organization before you feel the stress of a deadline. Allow for extra time at the beginning of the course to become comfortable with submitting assignments, posting to the discussion board, and viewing the videos and readings. Get to know your “classroom”.
Ask questions before you get frustrated. Asking questions is key to learning. Remember, you are not alone. We are here to help!
Check your gmail, course announcements, and the discussion boards. Just as we want to hear from you, we want to make sure you are hearing from us about important updates to the course.
Know what is expected of you and when. Check the course syllabus to help budget your time. Commit yourself to learning and to keeping up with the deadlines and assignments.
Manage your time. Set aside specific blocks of time to work on your course. Make sure you prioritize your course work. Ask your family or co-workers to respect those times when you are “in class”.
Think about your workspace. Do you have a comfortable chair? Do you have a quiet space where you can work? Do you have a comfortable headset or earphone? Do you have a place where you can concentrate and learn?
Take breaks. If you find yourself sitting at the computer or listening to a training lecture for an extended period of time, take a few minutes to get a drink or a snack, and remember to stretch. A small break will help you to maintain your concentration and absorb the information.
Take responsibility for your own learning. While you can (and should) ask questions and ask for help, ultimately it is up to you to succeed. You are responsible for your own time management, self-motivation, and for ensuring that you stay on top of your assignments.
Respect the rules of academic integrity and honesty.
Add your voice. We are counting on you to contribute your thoughts and experience to make this a successful learning environment. Your voice and opinions matter to us.

Activity: Readiness Assessment (15 minutes)

Complete the online learning readiness assessment (developed by Penn State University). This assessment will provide you customized feedback and suggestions to help you prepare for your online course.

Online Learning Readiness Assessment

Reading: Resources

Stress Relief

Stress reduction tips (helpful article which provides tips and suggestions to reduce stress)
Stress management tips (information and tips which help people manage stress properly)

Getting Organized

Organizational skills (tips for college students on how to be better organized)
Organization tips for student success (tips on how to create good habits for success)

Additional Study Resources

Study strategy links (collection of helpful resources aimed at helping students study)
How to study (web page with a number of useful resources to help college students)
Study skills and resources (Helpful page with information and tips on how college students can improve their study habits)
The Online Writing Lab (writing resources at Purdue University)