Tips for Online Learners: Basics for Beginning
If you are thinking of becoming an online learner, I wish you the best in your endeavors. I remember the day I thought of taking the leap to becoming an online student. I remember my head being clouded with thoughts and worries, about becoming a student all over again. It was a very nervous time in my life, at first.
But, over time I got the hang of it and within time, I graduated. It was an amazing experience, one that made me and my family proud. I am glad that I took the jump from the jagged edge of worry over to the smooth plain of achievement.
If you are thinking of becoming an online learner, you are bound to have worries. There are fears that run through your mind constantly, along with the feeling of joy in making one of the more important decisions of your life. Here are some tips for those of you who are new online learners just getting into the game!
Tips and Suggestions
You have to assess within yourself if you are cut out for this type of learning program. If you are someone who has to have the classroom experience, then online learning might not be for you. If you are someone that needs to have your peers and an instructor to interact with, then an online education is definitely not for you.
But, the online learning experience doesn’t mean you walk down the lonely hall of isolation, either. There are some schools that offer online classes, but you can opt for taking a few in the traditional classroom too.
That is what I loved about getting an online education. It afforded my life the flexibility in learning and scheduling where traditional schools did not . In a sense, online learning is like having a school that is open twenty four hours a day. Depending on your schedule you can study a little in the day or late at night when the children are sleeping.
In no time, you could adjust to the routine of:
- Registering for your online class
- Signing into a forum-type classroom
- Doing your week assignments
- Taking your quizzes or tests
- Participating in class discussions via a discussion board
The only difference from the traditional classroom experience, is that with an online classroom, when you ask a question it might not be answered within minutes and could possibly take a day or so to get a response.
The online learner has to have self discipline and be able to schedule time for studying. Developing or sharpening your studying habits is a must for online learning too. If you think that online schooling is a quick and easy way to earn a degree, you might be disappointed. I have found that I had to study just as hard as I would have for any other brick and mortar learning establishment.
In fact, there are times you may find that you actually study much harder in an online course and it is the online learning experience that will propel you to become more self-motivated. It will bring about higher self-confidence overall, as you start to pass one class after another gaining knowledge and getting closer to your goal.
Many online schools actually offer advanced study programs meaning you will learn the same material in half the time. With these tips for online learners and a little luck, your online adventure can begin with ease!
