Learning beyond the classroom is essential for all students — and a sense of community outside of class is critical for students’ growth throughout their learning experience. For online students, extracurricular learning communities create an avenue to engage with other students and share knowledge, regardless of where students are.
For some, thriving in an online learning community may include joining a club; for others, it may be joining a social media group or meeting up in person for a class or with other students nearby. For many, this can be new territory.
Here are a few ways to create community that prospective students should look for and current students should take advantage of.
[Explore how to develop self-motivation skills for online learning.]
— Join a student organization: Getting involved is easier than many students may think. Even if students are not on campus, they can still be an important part of their university’s student organizations.
Whether they want to pursue a leadership position or connect with other students who share their hobbies or passions, joining a student club is a great way to meet others, build connections and make the most of the online learning experience.
ASU Online, for example, offers online membership to several clubs, including the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Graphic Information Technology Club, the Video Game Development Club and Lux Undergraduate Creative Review, to name a few. The goal truly is to connect students and create a meaningful sense of community that allows students to express their interests and passions.
— Engage with course-specific communities: An online learning experience is what students make it. It helps to have a group to turn to for coursework help and tips as they juggle everyday life.
One way to get involved with others is to join or create a social media group where students in the class can engage in conversation around assignments, challenges with coursework or to schedule study groups. Finding a group of students can provide a great deal of inspiration and support.
Additionally, online students can get involved by personally meeting up with others nearby who may share common interests, are majoring in the same subject or are just taking classes through the same university. Online learning can be time-consuming , and it’s important for students to create connections with others who are experiencing similar opportunities and challenges.
[Learn tips to interact successfully with professors and students in online classes.]
— Build an online community beyond graduation: Creating relationships beyond graduation is also valuable as students look to embark on their careers and build a network.
Most universities have strong alumni associations and provide numerous ways for people to connect with others who share the common thread of their college degree. At ASU, for example, these groups can be found all over the country and the globe, and many offer various networking opportunities throughout the year.
Getting connected to one of the alumni groups gives students confidence that once they complete their degree, there’s a community they can join that shares a similar sense of accomplishment and pride.
The takeaway: Students should feel a sense of community throughout their online learning experience and beyond — that comes from capitalizing on opportunities outside the classroom and getting involved in a meaningful way.
More from U.S. News
4 Questions to Ask About Student Groups in Online MBA Programs
5 Steps to Take Before Starting Online Group Work
Join a Virtual Club as an Online Student
Build a Campus Network as an Online Student originally appeared on usnews.com
