Learning how to prepare for online college will reduce the stress level significantly. The quality of education for online colleges remains at a high standard, just like their traditional counterparts.
However, there are a significant amount of differences that make the online education experience very different.
Some people have a hard time adjusting to the different pacing and to the idea of being responsible for their schedules. Luckily, this article is going to address some of the adjustment issues and how one can best address them.
Get familiar with the digital environment of an online college
If you are a “millennial” or a young person of that generation, you probably know how to navigate the online world like the back of your hand. You most likely grew up with computers as part of your elementary curriculum.
For those of the older generations, let’s just say that there there is room for you to learn. You do not have to be a high tech guru to be able to pass online college courses successfully.
You only need to master the bare minimum of computer skills to navigate your online college website and how to use the tools and software necessary for your online class.
adjusting for online college
Information is now transferred faster than ever, and you can easily find answers to your questions with the click of a button. Try not to get super distracted with all the things you can read online.
Limit your online browsing to the necessary websites you need to visit to study. There is a time for a leisurely browse outside of the time frames you have set aside for study.
Taking off on tangents of interest not associated with your class is like chasing a rabbit down into its hole. You know what happened to Alice, don’t you?
Don’t chase rabbits when taking online courses
More self-management is required than with attending on campus
Just like we mentioned earlier, the internet is full of distractions. You need to be more motivated and disciplined since you are studying in your comfort zone and on your self determined schedule.
Without the pressure of a professor watching you in class, it is easy to get sidetracked or to put off projects until later. You need to avoid derailing your organized and scheduled class or study sessions.
It’s best to create a routine that works for you and strictly stick to it.
Online interactions revolve around reading and writing texts, with the occasional exception of video conferences. This means you need to be careful in crafting the words you write, especially in an academic forum.
Sometimes, you may be tempted to throw out nasty words since your sitting within the safety of your home. Please do not write anything that you wouldn’t want to say in person.
It is too easy for things to be misunderstood and for problems to escalate online. Without the ability to hear the tone of voice or to see the other person’s attitude, it is not hard for things to be taken the wrong way.
Further, you must be aware that anything put out there can be used in a court of law, both for and against you.
The online world is something that is not new to us. Some people still need adjusting, especially in the context of online colleges.
Photos courtesy of Pixabay
