Tips to Succeed in an Online Course

For students who are considering online courses over in-class instruction, here are five tips for success.

1. Confirm technical requirements

Online classes can benefit students with busy schedules, but only if they can access the materials.

2. Connect with instructors early

After taking online courses in the past, Finley says he assumed his previous experiences would dictate future successes at Wake Forest.

3. Create a schedule

Quality online instructors will create courses that are easy to navigate and have clear expectations.   Really good professors will help you put the framework in place.  If you don’t have that type of framework in place, you’ll have to do it yourself.

4. Stay organized

Students enrolled in traditional courses usually have a consistent schedule to follow each week, with in-class instruction followed by out-of-class assignments. For online courses, students may have to find their own ways to stay on top of their work

5. Have a consistent workspace

One thing online and in-class courses have in common is that students still need a place to study or complete assignments, whether that’s at a coffee shop, the school library, or at home. Wherever students choose to study and complete assignments, they should make it a consistent location that’s free of outside interferences.