Getting through college is tough enough, and online classes just add to the pressure; with these five tips, you can thrive during online learning.
Online classes are just as they sound, and they can be either synchronous or asynchronous. When a class is synchronous, they have a designated time that your class meets during the week. Asynchronous is the opposite, so you don’t meet at a designated time and have to work at your own pace. Regardless of its form, online learning can be tough, but these tips can lessen some of the stress behind them.
The first tip is to check your email, course syllabi and Brightspace every single day. Online courses, asynchronous or not, do not make it easy to meet with your professors if you have a question. Your email is the way for you to reach out to your professors in case you have any questions. Email is the digital version of walking into your professors’ office to talk to them. Remember, professors want you to reach out if you’re struggling. They do not want to see you fail. You can also make appointments with your professors via Starfish.
The way to keep track of deadlines is to look at course syllabi and Brightspace. A course syllabus is the map of your class assignments, and more likely than not, your professor will stick to that schedule. It lists due dates for assignments, when quizzes or exams will take place and what lecture topics will be covered on a certain day. If you are old-fashioned or you find it easier to remember things if you write it down, keep a calendar or planner to copy down assignments and due dates.
Brightspace is the university of Rhode Island’s new online learning platform. This is the digital hub of your classes. It contains each class you are enrolled in, grades and a list of everything you need to do for your classes. This could be better than a syllabus because Brightspace will notify you of any changes to your class’ weekly plan. Usually, there is a “To-Do-List” module that concisely lists your assignment and due dates. You also submit assignments through Brightspace, and depending on the teacher, you may take tests and quizzes here. Email, syllabi and Brightspace are the crux to keep up with your classes.
Tip two to survive online classes is to divide up your work throughout the day. Motivation is key to staying on top of everything you need to do, and you can increase your motivation to get your work done if you divide it up. Set a timer and give yourself a certain amount of time to work on one subject. Apply that to all of your classes throughout the day, and you will be able to make decent process. Timing yourself helps you to work faster because you only have a small window to get your work done. This can work for in-person classes as well.
The third tip is to take frequent breaks and limit screen time. Taking frequent pauses may sound contradictory, but it is extremely beneficial. For example, if you devote an hour to work on one subject, take a 10 to 15-minute brain break and stretch. Do something enjoyable. Get some exercise in. Get some fresh air and get outdoors. Do anything that takes your mind off of your work. When you come back, your brain is fresh and rested and you have more motivation to take on another subject.
When you take breaks, you are also reducing the tension of screen time on your body. Humans were not naturally built to stare at technology for long periods of time. However, you sit in one spot for a long time when taking online classes. When you time yourself to do your work efficiently and when you take breaks, you decrease your stress levels. Limiting screen time is healthy, and you need to do it even if you have lots to do.
The fourth tip to get through online learning is to form virtual study groups and get help if you need it. Studying is crucial to getting good grades in any class, and people often form groups with other students to get studying done. This is tough with online learning. In Brightspace, there is a section titled “Classlist,” and here you can access all of your classmates’ emails. With this, you can reach out to your classmates and ask them to form study groups with you over video chat.
If you are having any trouble, reach out to the Academic Enhancement Center (AEC). The AEC has a list of services they provide to students, such as tutoring, writing consulting, a new portal called “study your way to success” and much more. These services are available online and with limited hours in-person.
The fifth and final tip to surviving online classes is to just enjoy your classes! College is one of the last times in your life where the only responsibility you may have is being a student. Embrace it and take it on. You will never get this time back in life, and if you enjoy your classes, odds are you will enjoy college life even more. Even if you are unhappy with being online, you should remember you are getting a nice jumpstart on your academic pathway.