When enrolling in an online college, you should consider the pros and cons that come with it. There are many components of online college that you will find beneficial. But some aspects might not be to your advantage. Some bad habits hinder you from being a successful online college student.
One thing that sets the online college apart from a physical college campus are the habits we form and develop. The following are bad behaviors a student must avoid to become a successful online college student.
Excessive use of TV, mobile phones, and other distractions are bad habits
Admit it. There are a lot of television shows and mobile applications that are irresistible. But this is a big no-no when you are taking your online classes. Stopping to “chase rabbits” or allowing yourself to read about the latest celebrity sighting does not help in obtaining your degree.
No matter how much you want to see the finale of your favorite show or how funny FaceBook may be, you must avoid all distractions. Set a time for watching TV and another for taking your classes. You can always record those tempting shows to watch later, maybe as a reward for completing a project online.
Disregarding discussion boards, forums or posts
Just like in a traditional classroom, discussion boards are professors’ way of knowing whether you are participating or not. Likewise, it is an excellent way of brainstorming ideas and creative criticisms. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to network and to get to know your classmates. You never know who may be able to help you in your career later on. Obtaining letters of reference from instructors are easier to get if they think they know you from posts, etc.
Attending class unprepared is one of the very bad habits you do not want to develop
Not being prepared is the number one NO-NO, especially for fully online courses. Professors expect you to read in advance and review the topics that are under discussion. If you find it challenging, assume the entire course to be a tough one. Be prepared and participate!
Following your schedule
At this point, you know that there is a certain freedom in taking up online classes. However, just logging in whenever you want to or whenever you have free time is not a good idea. Some professors are posting updates to discussion boards. If you don’t log in that often, you might miss out on important updates and announcements. The online college provides you the freedom to schedule a class at your convenience. But still, strict schedule adherence must be observed.
This article might help you avoid making bad habits.https://onlinecollegelife.info/how-to-adjust-yourself-for-online-college/
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