Because you will not physically come to campus, keeping up with your coursework requires an additional level of self-discipline.

Make sure you frequently check your course Canvas site, attend any online class meetings with Zoom or Teams, and stay in contact with your instructor throughout the week if you have any questions.

1. Treat an online course like a course on campus.

When it comes to online courses, you need to have the discipline to sit down and say, “I am going to work on this,” as well as the dedication to follow through. Although you can be flexible as to when you choose to complete your work during the week, you can’t put it off indefinitely.

One of the easiest ways to ensure follow-through is to remember you must “show up” as you would in a traditional, in-person class if you’re going to get real value out of your course. Treat your online courses the same way you would a face-to-face class—or, better yet, a job—and you’ll be off to the right start.

2. Hold yourself accountable.

Set goals at the beginning of the term and check in with yourself weekly. In a traditional classroom setting, you’ll often receive verbal or visual reminders of an assignment’s upcoming due date. But without a professor actively reminding you, it’s up to you to make sure you’ve allotted enough time to complete the work so you’re not starting an assignment the day before it’s due.

If you’re having trouble holding yourself responsible, pair up with a fellow classmate or enlist the help of a friend or family member as an accountability partner. By being organized, proactive, and self-aware, you can get the most from your online course even when life outside of school becomes chaotic.

3. Practice time management.

The flexibility to create your own schedule is often one of the biggest appeals of taking online courses. But that freedom can also be detrimental if you do not have solid time management skills. Without them, you might easily find yourself cramming before classes or turning in sub-par assignments.

Although how you manage your time will depend on your schedule, learning style and personality, here are some universally valuable tips to help you practice and improve your time management skills:

Look at the syllabus at the start of the term and make note of major assignments. Mark them on a calendar that you check regularly, so you know what workload is coming in the weeks ahead. Don’t forget to factor in prior commitments that may interfere with your regular study schedule, so you can give yourself enough extra time to complete assignments.

Create a weekly schedule that you follow, designating certain hours each week to reading, watching lectures, completing assignments, studying, and participating in online discussions or forums. Commit to making your online coursework part of your weekly routine, and set reminders for yourself to complete these tasks.

When working on your assignments try time-blocking, allotting yourself a certain amount of time for each task before moving on to the next one, and setting a timer to keep you accountable.

Check in periodically throughout the term and look at how you’re spending your time. Ask yourself: How much time am I dedicating to course reading and assignments? Am I regularly underestimating the time it’s taking me to get things done, forcing me to cram the nights before the exams? A little self-reflection and adjustment can go a long way.

4. Create a regular study space and stay organized.

Set up a dedicated learning environment for studying. By completing your work there repeatedly, you’ll begin to establish a routine. Knowing exactly where important dates, files, forms, syllabi, books, and assignments live will help keep you on track towards hitting your goals. When setting up your study space, make sure you:
• Have a high-speed internet connection
• Have the required books, materials, and software for the course
• Have headphones for listening to lectures or discussions (especially important in shared spaces)
• Have a camera (if your computer doesn't have one you can use your phone to participate in Zoom meetings)

5. Eliminate distractions.

From Netflix to social media to dishes piling up in the sink, you’ll be faced with many distractions that can easily derail your studies. The best online students know how to lessen these distractions and set aside time to focus.

Regardless of where you choose to work, consider turning your cell phone off to avoid losing focus every time a text message or notification pops up.

6. Figure Out How You Learn Best.

Once you’ve established where you’ll learn, think about when and how you accomplish your best work. If you’re a morning person, make time to study first thing. More of a night owl? Set aside an hour or two after dinner to cozy up to your computer. Brew your usual cup of coffee, put on your go-to playlist, and do whatever you need to get into the zone and down to business.

Not everyone learns the same way, so think about what types of information help you best grasp new concepts and employ relevant study strategies. Make sure to build time into your schedule to play and replay all audio- and video-based course content.

7. Actively participate.

Participate in the course’s online discussion or Zoom forums to help you better understand course materials and engage with fellow classmates. This might involve commenting on a classmate’s paper on a discussion board, or posting a question about a project you’re working on. Read what other students and your instructor are saying, and if you have a question, ask for clarification.

Make sure you are checking in as often as you can, too. The flexibility of online learning means that if you have 30 minutes before dinner, you can squeeze in a discussion response around your schedule. Set a goal to check in on the class discussion threads every day.

And if you do feel yourself falling behind, speak up. Don’t wait until an assignment is almost due to ask questions or report issues. Email your instructor or student advisor and be proactive in asking for help.

8. Leverage your network.

Online courses may sometimes make you feel like you are learning on your own, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Most online courses are built around the concept of collaboration, with professors actively encouraging that students work together to complete assignments and discuss lessons.

Build relationships with other students by introducing yourself and engaging in online discussion boards. Your peers can be a valuable resource when preparing for exams or asking for feedback on assignments. Don’t be afraid to turn to them to create a virtual study group. Chances are good that they will appreciate it just as much as you will!

Remember, there are resources if you need assistance. Check out the Get Help page!

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