Online classes sound fantastic ... until you receive the class syllabus and realize just how much work you're going to have to put into it. Ugh.
If you're like me, you're a pro at procrastinating. I love doing nothing but laying around in my dorm watching Netflix, but I also can't afford to do only that for the rest of my life. I often find myself saying I will do my online work after one more episode. Suddenly, I'm laying in a pile of cookie and potato chip crumbs wondering how I've spent four hours in one position.
Luckily, I've managed to ace the online classes I've taken, despite my procrastination. If it wasn't for these few things I did, I probably would've only passed with a B.
1. Order books as soon as you know about them.
Seriously. You never know when you will receive a reading assignment.
2. Use sticky notes like they're going out of style.
Separate chapters with one color, use another color as a book mark, use another to mark the pages you cry on.
3. If the professor offers physical office hours, go to them.
It's best to go to them in person with your numerous questions and ramble rather than try to fit all your confusion into one email. Plus, it makes you look better. #TeachersPet
4. Arrive thirty to forty-five minutes early to an on campus class.
Why? Because then you have nothing better to do other than watch your online lectures. Make sure you're paying a little bit of attention to these lectures when you do watch them.
5. Read textbooks while at lunch.
This will allow you to have some sort of joy while reading boring assignments and taking what seems like never ending notes. At least food will never make you suffer.
6. Find friends in your online class.
This will totally help when it comes to exam time. Studying alone is not usually productive. Compare notes with others and come up with a good study guide together. Get with others who want to pass the class just as much as you do.
7. Treat it as if it were on campus.
One thing that stumps most online students is the fact that they don't spend enough time on their coursework. You should get the same amount of information from an online class as if you were taking it on campus. Pencil in some time to just sit down and read over your notes... Netflix can wait.
8. Decide whether or not online is truly for you early on.
It's okay if you find out your studies go better in a classroom setting, so don't panic. Find out if you can get tutoring for your class or if you can even get a refund for your class if you decide to drop it. No class is worth a drop in your GPA.
