Ways to Learn Better in an Online School: 10 Strategies for Success
Almost everyone has heard of online schools by now. They are becoming more and more popular across the globe for many reasons. If you’re thinking about enrolling in an online school or if you’re already a student, there are ways to learn better that may not be so obvious.
In this post, we’ll discuss a few tips to help you get the most out of your online education. Let’s get started!
Top 10 Tips to Learn Better in an Online School
If you’re considering taking online high school courses or you’re already enrolled in an online school, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your experience and learn better.
1. Stay Focused
The first step to learning better in an online school is focusing on the task. It can be easy to get distracted at home, but it’s important to remember that you’re there to learn.
Make sure you set aside a specific time and place to do your work each day. Turn off the TV, put away your phone, and sit at a desk or table.
It may also help to set some ground rules with your family or roommates. Let them know when you’ll be working and ask them not to disturb you during those times.
If you have young children, see if someone can watch them while you’re working. You might also want to consider working in a library or coffee shop if you find it difficult to focus at home.
2. Create a Study Schedule
Creating a study schedule is a great way to make sure you’re taking the time to learn all the material covered in your online courses. Start by looking at your syllabus and making a list of all the topics you need to cover. Then, decide how much time you need to spend on each topic.
Next, block out time in your schedule for studying. Make sure to leave some flexibility if you need more time on certain days. Additionally, stick to your schedule as much as possible. It may help to set a daily or weekly goal to keep yourself motivated.
3. Develop a Reading Strategy
A lot of online courses assign readings, just like traditional classes. But the difference is that you’re often left to your own devices to complete them. You might be wondering: How do I read an entire textbook chapter when I can get away with skimming?
The answer is that you need to develop a specific strategy for reading your course materials to help you understand and remember the information better. Here are some tips:
- Before starting a reading assignment, look at the questions at the end of the section or chapter. These are usually a good indication of what material will be covered on tests and quizzes. As you read, pay special attention to this information and note it.
- While reading, take breaks often to reflect on what you’ve read and make sure you understand the material. Try to summarize what you’ve read in your own words, either in a notebook or on a piece of scrap paper.
- When you come across a concept or term you don’t know, look it up right away. Don’t try to muddle through without understanding the vocabulary; this will only lead to confusion later on.
- After finishing the reading, go back and answer the questions at the end of the section or chapter. If you can’t answer them, re-read the relevant parts until you feel confident that you understand the material.
4. Get Organized
When taking an online course, there are often many moving parts: readings, assignments, deadlines, discussion forums, lectures, and so on. It can be easy to lose track of what’s due, especially if you’re taking multiple courses.
To stay on top of everything and avoid missing deadlines, it’s important to get organized and develop a system for keeping track of your coursework. Here are some tips:
- Create a master document or spreadsheet where you list all of your upcoming assignments, their due dates, and the courses they belong to. Use this as your go-to reference for what needs to be done and when.
- Set up a separate folder on your computer for each course, and create sub-folders for different types of assignments (e.g., readings, essays, presentations). This will help you keep your files organized and make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
- Check your email regularly and promptly respond to your instructors’ and classmates’ messages. If you let things pile up, it will only be more difficult to catch up later on.
5. Make the Most of Discussion Forums
Discussion forums can be a great way to connect with other students in your online course and get help with assignments or concepts you’re struggling with. But they can also be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to them.
Here are some tips for making the most of discussion forums:
- Before posting a question, search the forum to see if it’s already been answered. Chances are, someone else has had the same question before.
- When posting a question, be as specific as possible. The more detail you provide, the more likely you will get a helpful response.
- When responding to other students’ questions, take the time to read their posts carefully and thoughtfully. If you can offer a detailed response, they’ll be more likely to appreciate it.
6. Practice Time Management
With online courses, you have a lot of freedom in terms of when and where you do your work. But this can also be a bit of a double-edged sword, as it can be easy to procrastinate or get sidetracked.
That’s why it’s important to develop good time management skills and make sure you’re using your time wisely. Here are some tips:
- Set aside specific times each day or week for working on your coursework, and stick to that schedule as much as possible.
- Eliminate distractions while you’re working, whether that means turning off your phone, setting up a “Do Not Disturb” sign, or finding a quiet place to work.
- Take breaks regularly, but make sure they’re truly breaks and not just excuses to procrastinate. Get up and stretch, grab a quick snack, or take a walk around the block.
7. Set Goals for Yourself and Find Ways to Measure Your Progress
In order to stay motivated, it can be helpful to set goals for yourself and find ways to track your progress. This will help you stay on track and see the results of your hard work.
Some things you might want to consider:
- Setting a goal for how much progress you want to make each week or month
- Keeping a log of your weekly or monthly progress
- Joining an online study group or forum where you can share your goals with others and get feedback and support
8. Eliminate Distractions
As mentioned before, it’s important to eliminate distractions while you’re working on your coursework. But what counts as a distraction? Here are some things to consider:
- Your physical environment: Is your workspace comfortable and free of clutter? Do you have everything you need within easy reach?
- Your mental state: Are you well-rested and feeling focused? Or are you tired, anxious, or stressed out?
- Your motivation: Do you have a clear goal in mind for what you want to accomplish? Or are you just going through the motions without a clear purpose?
9. Get Plenty of Rest and Exercise
Taking care of your physical and mental health while working on your online diploma is important. Getting enough sleep and exercise will help you feel your best and be able to focus on your work.
Some things you can do to take care of yourself:
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night
- Eat healthy meals and snacks
- Take breaks throughout the day to move around and get some fresh air
- Make time for relaxation and hobbies outside of your coursework
10. Seek Out Help When You Need It
If you’re struggling with a particular assignment or concept, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Several resources are available to you, including your instructor, teaching assistants, and fellow students.
Some things you can do to get help:
- Ask your instructor for clarification on an assignment or concept
- Attend office hours or review sessions
- Join an online study group or forum
- Reach out to a tutor or academic coach
We hope these tips will help you thrive in your online classes!
Final Thoughts on Ways to Learn Better in an Online School!
Whether you’re a student just starting your online high school education or you feel like you could be doing better, we hope the outlined ways to learn better in an online school will help you achieve success.
If you need any assistance implementing these tips or want more information about our online high school program, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We’re here to help you every step of the way on your journey to a brighter future.
