Distanced learning and online courses are great for those who savor independence, like to have the option of working around other commitments, and who cannot, or do not wish to, re-locate. There are plenty of benefits to undertaking a degree course online, but is there anything that students need to be aware of?
This piece will discuss tips and tricks when it comes to online distance learning, and how to be successful in a course.
Choose a Reputable College for Online Learning
While it is important that the right degree is found, it is even more important that the degree is accredited and recognized by the correct bodies to ensure it can be used for further education or a career path.
www.excelsior.edu/ offers some fantastic courses which are accredited and credible.
Plan for Online Learning Courses
One of the most important things to do is to create a plan for the course ahead. When left to be self-sufficient and self-reliant, it is easy for slip ups and mistakes to happen. Perhaps a deadline has been forgotten or something has not been understood properly — whatever the predicament is, they are usually avoidable with proper planning.
Make sure all dates are written down in the diary, a to-do list is particularly useful for items that need to be completed over the course of a day, and make sure there is wiggle room for texts or work that might need a more in-depth explanation or for times where extra help would be beneficial.
Discover the Right Learning Style
Everyone’s learning style is different, and the sooner the correct learning style is implemented, the easier it will be to learn and retain course material and ideas. This is a game-changer for students who may have been taught to learn in only one specific way throughout education and have struggled or not produced the best potential work because of it.
There are several learning styles, and no individual is tied to only one, so find one that works and practice it. This will help with the success of the course tenfold.
Set Study Goals When Distance Learning
With regular degrees, study goals are often implemented into courses and are facilitated on campus with other students of the course. When undertaking distance learning, courses for-go all of that, leaving it up to the student in question to do what works best for them.
Setting your own study goals can be as simple as writing down the ideal achievement after completing the course. This is also useful to review goals with too, as paths can often change when it is least expected!
Use the smart acronym:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-framed
This can help plan out study goals and keep the course and motivation on track!
Be Kind to Yourself and Stay Positive
Taking on a new course is hard work, and is a really big step. Learning and remembering new material may become overwhelming, so it is important to stay positive and remember that everyone learning something new experiences exactly the same thing. Be sure to take breaks and ask for help when needed.
Interesting related article: “What is e-Learning?”