Get Ready for Online Courses
As an online student, your life is about to become much busier — especially if you’re also working full time while earning your degree. To succeed in the virtual classroom, it’s important to prepare in advance, experts say.
Here are 10 things to do before starting an online education.
1. Look into tech requirements.
Either contact tech support or search an online program’s website to ensure your hardware and software meet the school’s requirements, experts say.
In a 2017 U.S. News blog post, Joe Chapman, who oversees online student services at Arizona State University, suggests reaching out to tech support about requirements at least a week before classes start. Typically, they include a laptop or desktop computer, high-speed internet and at least two web browsers.
2. Familiarize yourself with the school.
Just because a degree program is online doesn’t mean students won’t have a chance to interact. Prepare by finding online groups — perhaps on social media — that offer insight into what’s it like to be an online student, wrote Olena Reid, an online MBA graduate from the College of William & Mary, in a 2017 U.S. News blog post.
The school, she wrote, also held virtual open houses for incoming students to learn more. Online programs may also publish videos or podcasts of professors discussing their courses.
3. Visit campus, if possible.
One 2017 survey found that 72 percent of online college students chose a school based within 100 miles of home. If you live close by, explore campus to gauge the culture, build a connection and meet professors, wrote two experts from Indiana University in a 2017 U.S. News blog post.
Even as online students, “They can come up for a football game, or they can come up for a homecoming parade, or they can be a part of the alumni events,” Trevor Eyden, manager of recruitment and enrollment at Colorado State University Online, told U.S. News in 2016.
4. Contact an adviser.
Many online programs provide students with an enrollment or academic adviser to help them register for courses and answer questions about the curriculum.
Chapman from ASU, in another 2017 U.S. News blog post, suggests asking them about the weekly time commitment, online student orientation and student involvement in university activities.
5. Attend orientation.
Some online degree programs offer or require incoming students to attend a virtual orientation to acclimate to the online environment. They may learn how to navigate online classes and connect with support services, experts say.
Other online programs may also require a campus visit for an in-person residency component where students network, attend sessions and participate in team-building activities.
6. Prepare a self-introduction.
Many online programs require students to introduce themselves in some fashion, whether in the online classroom — what’s commonly referred to as a learning management system — or via social media.
Prepare a speech covering your background, Reid wrote, as well as professional aspirations. Having one handy can also be helpful when applying or enrolling.
7. Build a weekly plan.
When pursuing an online degree, time management is critical. Experts recommend dedicating a few hours on specific days to coursework, using a physical calendar or digital planner synced with your email account.
“I’m using Microsoft Outlook more than ever to set up when projects are due and to stay on track with the assignments. You have to dedicate time to this,” Lionel Finley, who earned an online master’s degree in counseling from Wake Forest University, told U.S. News in 2013.
8. Speak to your support system.
Online degree programs at reputable schools aren’t any easier than on-campus offerings. Make sure those who are close to you — family, friends and peers — recognize the significant time commitment and understand why you may not be available around the clock, Chapman wrote.
9. Find a study space.
Because you’ll usually work remotely, experts say, find a space that’s distraction-free to complete coursework — a quiet area where you can concentrate on assignments and even proctored exams.
Also ensure that your space has a high-speed internet connection in case you need to attend class virtually in real time and regularly log in to submit your work, they say.
10. Reach out to professors.
Contact online course instructors before classes begin with questions and to share your academic and professional goals, Marian Stoltz-Loike, vice president of online education at Touro College in New York, wrote in a 2017 blog post for U.S. News.
Chapman, from ASU, wrote, “Establishing a relationship with your professors early on will help you build trust and understanding throughout the term, especially since you may not be able to meet in person.”
More About Online Education
For more information on choosing or preparing for an online degree program, check out the Online Learning Lessons blog and view our 2018 Best Online Programs rankings.
Follow U.S. News Education on Twitter and Facebook for more advice about online learning.
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Do 10 Things to Prepare for Your Online Degree Program originally appeared on usnews.com
