Advice on how to make online courses work for you
Treat your online courses the same as in-person classes
With this transition, it may be tempting to treat the semester like an extended vacation. However, it’s important to treat your online classes like any other course. One of the easiest ways to succeed in online courses is to show up. Stay engaged, participate in activities, ask questions, and provide feedback when necessary.
With a change from in-person classes to remote classes, you’ll have a more independent, self-paced learning environment. Use that to your advantage and adapt your online courses to your learning style; it’s important to approach the process in a way that works best for you. If you learn best by writing notes by hand, then continue to do so. It might also be helpful to print out your syllabus and assignment instructions so that you can attach the hard copies to your fridge or bulletin board. If you do better listening to instructions, but your online course is mostly text-based, you can copy and paste the text into Google’s text-to-speech tool so you can hear it read aloud.
Hold yourself accountable
Set goals and check in with yourself regularly. In a traditional classroom setting, you may receive reminders about assignments and due dates. However, your instructors may not actively remind you in an online setting. It’s up to you to make sure you’re keeping track of classwork and allowing yourself enough time to complete assignments and homework.
Find an accountability partner you can check in with, whether it's a friend or classmate. Being proactive and self-aware can help you make the most of online classes, especially as things continue to change.
Write out daily and weekly checklists to help you keep track of your work, whether it’s in your phone Notes app, in a fresh journal with coloured pens, or on the back of some scrap paper. It will keep you on track and give you positive reinforcement to complete tasks.
Establish a dedicated workspace
Do you have that one spot in each class that’s your unofficial assigned spot, and when you don’t sit there the whole class feels off? Think of your at-home study zone in a similar way. It’s your new classroom and it needs to be a space dedicated only to your studies. Consistently working in the same physical space can help you establish a routine. Whether it’s your kitchen table, desk, or living room, choose an environment that works best for you. Studying in multiple places can cause you to lose focus and procrastinate versus sitting down in your study area, which can help you concentrate and be more productive.
Setting up a workspace can help you stay organized. Keep all of your class materials nearby for easy access. This includes your syllabus, books, assignments, a planner, or other resources. Keep a pair of headphones at your workstation. They will come in handy for online lectures and discussions, especially if you’re working in a shared space, or if your housemates are making too much noise that may be distracting.
While it is tempting to bring your computer to bed with you, your mind moves into relaxation mode rather than work mode. If you have a desk, use it, but make it your own. If it is cluttered, make it uncluttered. If it is too dark, get a lamp. If it needs supplies like pens, paper and a laptop charger, add them. Your workspace reflects your headspace: an organized workspace may result in an organized mind. But if a desk is not your thing, no worries. Just jump for something more studious, less comfortable.
Stay organized: It’s important to stay organized in any course, especially those that are online. Organize your files in a way that makes sense to you, so they’re easy to find. Keep a copy of anything you submit online in case a technology issue requires you to resubmit your work. As with any other class, take good notes while doing your readings and watching online lectures.
Reduce distractions
Technology can be a great resource for learning and organization, but it can also become a distraction and hinder your academic success.
Boost your productivity by limiting apps and tools while working on assignments or attending online lectures. Close out of your email, messages, and social media accounts before each class. Try putting your phone in ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode, so you’re not tempted when you get a notification. Some phones allow you to restrict access to apps at specific times during the day. You can even download browser extensions and applications on your computer and phone to restrict access to distracting websites when you should be studying.
Living with roommates? Discuss your class schedules and study spaces together. Work together to determine things like where each person will be studying, what times you each have lectures and if there are any important assignments coming up, like tests or exams. Talking through logistics and expectations can help you avoid stress or tension.
Manage your time
Just as you might attend in-person lectures at regular times throughout the week, you’ll need to schedule time to attend online lectures, study, and complete assignments. Treat these blocks of time seriously by sticking to them. Let your family and friends know you’ll be unavailable.
Look at your syllabus for assignment due dates and put them in your agenda, planner, and/or phone calendar
Create a weekly schedule for reading, watching lectures, completing assignments, studying, and participating in discussion forums
Set reminders in your planner, calendar, or phone about assignment due dates, tests, and other important dates
Try out time-blocking: give yourself a certain amount of time for each task before moving on to the next one. Use your phone or a timer to keep yourself accountable
Build endurance: start with short studying intervals and gradually build up your mental endurance. Start by sitting down for an hour and getting some work done, then take a quick break, then maybe get to two hours of studying, followed by a short break, then three hours of studying. With these break periods comes with a great deal of reliability on yourself to get back to work when it is time to do so. Keeping your phone on Do Not Disturb or away from your workspace is a good way to refocus.
Ask for help from your peers and friends
When taking courses online, it becomes much easier to contact people in your class than in person. Use the technology that's available to you. You can text your classmates, or you can go as far as to video conference for a virtual study session before your midterms or final exams. Use social media to keep in touch and plan study times with your friends, too.
Professors know that many students are now taking online classes for the first time. Some professors are teaching remotely for the first time, too. They want you to succeed and they understand that this time is difficult for many students. They are here to help you. Think of emailing your professor as something similar to stopping into their office hours.
Take time for yourself
While it’s important to stay informed in these unprecedented times, there are downsides to becoming too consumed by the news. Having work and classes to focus on at home provides a nice mental diversion. As you finish your classes online this semester, try to continue taking care of yourself mentally and emotionally. Try to take lunch breaks outside or go for morning walks. Fresh air is key.
Remember you still deserve time to relax. This time is stressful not only because of online classes, but also because we are in the middle of a pandemic. Anxieties are high. Remember to schedule time for yourself to relax and unwind. This can be done by taking a nap, watching a couple episodes of a TV show or having a snack. Your health is really important during this time, and mental health is a big part of that as well.
Check out our Self-Care Tips for ways you can look after your physical, mental, and emotional health.