Want to ace your online class? Whether you are new to online classes or you've taken plenty of them before, you can set yourself up to get the best grade possible. This post is all about the 15 totally tested steps you can take to ace any online class.
Let's face it: online classes get a good (and a bad) rap. While many have embraced this not-so-new teaching method as their learning option, some say online classes are super hard. Juggling work, a relationship, a family, or a social life at the same time doesn't seem to make it easier.
But you don't have to worry, you can ace your online class...
Like a boss.
In my experience as a college student and college professor, I have seen the great (and not so great) approaches to online classes and have found the most successful steps to ace any online college class.
No matter what subject or year of school you are in, you can go from "I'm nervous" to "I'm acing this" with ease. Here are the tried and true, totally tested ways to ace your online class.
This post is all about acing your online class.
TIPS FOR ONLINE CLASSES:
1. Connect with your professor.
Yes, even in the online class.
For best results, make a habit of sending them a message introducing yourself and letting them know you are excited to be in their course (don't do this second part if a) you would be lying or b) you don't intend to make a decent effort in the course). If you wait to do this until several weeks into the semester, turn the "hello, it's nice to meet you" into a "hello, I'm enjoying this part of the course so far" kind of message.
Be authentic about this though; don't send them a bunch of stale air.
If the class gets super tough or an assignment is confusing, this open line of communication can be a lifeline for your stress level (and your GPA).
Keep in mind, however, the connection you make with your professor is not a place for you to expect them to excuse any results of procrastination.
2. Print off your syllabus.
I know, paperless is more fun but print a copy of your syllabus anyway.
A syllabus is a sort of manual for the class. A diligent professor updates their syllabus regularly and uses it to spell out expectations and parameters. Use your syllabus as a roadmap to better understanding your journey through the course.
Due dates, curriculum details, office hours, grading scale, contact information - all this and more can be found in the syllabus.
3. Get organized.
A messy college student leaves GPA points on the table.
With experience as both the college student and college professor, I can tell you that getting organized is a game-changer. Laziness, messiness, lack of attention to detail: all of these erode both your learning and your GPA earning potential.
Happy tip: Where to start? Put in all in one place. Get a binder if you have to. This can help you stay on top of your dues dates, assignment requirements and any extra materials your course requires.
Your GPA will thank you later.
4. Keep an eye on due dates.
It's worth the hassle of keeping track of what's due when. Due dates often equal point values. Point values = grades.
If the point values don't matter as much because of a "super easy" professor you have, consider this: many jobs you have or business deals you do in the world after college demand you be prompt and punctual with your work (AKA keep track of your own deadlines). If you can't do this when the stakes are low, you set a precedence for what people can expect from you when the stakes are high.
Jobs don't wait for you to get around to showing up for work or to turn work in on time. If you don't, they will find someone else who will.
5. Work ahead.
By far, this is the one many college students avoid...
But working ahead can really ease off any stress associated with course. It can also help you avoid issues associated with unexpected life challenges or changes that can take place during the semester.
Job promotions, job transitions, moving into a new house, wedding planning, having a baby, traveling, or other life adjustments can all take place during a semester. If you work ahead - and the unexpected comes - it can keep you from falling behind.
Many professors and classes allow for working ahead some days, weeks or even months in advance. Ask your professor if provisions for this are unclear and make the effort to turn work in early.
Your peaceful vibes will thank you later.
6. Schedule with college (online) tutors.
Many colleges offer free tutoring services on a wide range of topics. If writing a research paper makes you nervous, schedule with them long before your paper is due.
If math is on your list of least favorite things, see if you can get the same math tutor (the one who makes math easier to understand). With an especially challenging class, online tutoring can save you from countless hours of confusion and help you strategize for success.
There is no shame in asking for help from the college tutors when you need it.
7. Talk to your academic advisor.
Like to save time and money? Then make your academic advisor a priority. Stay connected to them every semester or at least every other semester. Refuse to lose track of this person. Reach out to them first; don't wait for them to reach out to you.
Happy tip: A good advisor understands your academic goals and isn't too busy to guide your journey (and give you good advice). If they know their stuff, they will keep you away from unnecessary classes and will make sure you take the quickest path to the destination: graduation.
Be kind and professional with your academic advisor and always respect their time.
8. Make at least one friend per class (2 preferred).
If you are an extrovert, this goes without saying but even if you are not you should still make the effort to make a friend in each class. Connect with them on socials or through the other course communication options and be civil. Not only is this good practice for networking but it is also a great way for both of you to stay apprised of any course happenings you might miss or overlook when life gets busy.
No, I don't mean a friends-with-benefits kind of thing either.
I mean a legit, mutual respect, hands off approach to friendship that encourages each other's success. Who knows? You may even hire them one day (or they may hire you).
9. Have regular study blocks.
Build study time into your life. Cement it in like concrete. Guard it like a super protective Rottweiler.
If you make it optional, chances are, you will opt out of it more often than not.
You can use the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes) to set aside chunks of some non-scrolling, undistracted study time, taking short 5 minute breaks in between.
Study blocks can help your learning pace coincide with your assignment due dates.
10. Participate in the meet ups.
When the professor holds a online video meeting in the course: be there.
Rearrange your schedule if you can and put away the distractions.
Happy tip: Meet ups are a great way to keep your face (and your name) in front of your professor and to keep the communication lines open with them and with others that show up in the meeting. You may learn something you didn't know before and you will be the first to know of any updates or changes to the course material.
If you can't make it to a meet up, many times the sessions are recorded so you can go back and watch them at another time.
11. Use the online college library.
Writing research papers gets easier when you know your way around your college's online library databases. Citing your sources does too.
These free to use tools are there just waiting for you to search through.
12. Set boundaries for friends, family and bae.
Letting them know way ahead of time can help them know what to expect when you have to study or write a paper over the weekend. Set some reasonable boundaries for your schoolwork, schedule and personal life and stick to them whenever possible.
I wish I could say that all family and friends (and baes) will understand and respect your decision to put effort into your college class but this is not always the case.
Some people get upset when you don't pay attention to them on their terms.
If you set a reasonable boundary, be willing to keep it intact while you are taking classes. Even if bae moves on.
13. Use the good words.
Like bricks are to walls so are your negative words to your path of success.
Avoid the negative talk in your online class to help you ace it. Comments like "This professor is so [insert not so nice phrase here]" or "this paper is too hard" or "I don't want to cite my sources" only serve to reinforce the negative.
Then you have to climb over all of that to get your work done, making things harder not easier. So in this instance, if negative words are like walls then positive words are like bridges. Build more bridges and less walls to get to your destination.
There is no sense in climbing over a wall you didn't need to build there in the first place.
14. Add to your professional connections.
Everyone you meet will not become your new BFF but many of them can be added to your professional connections. Build these connections early so that 5, 10 or even 15 years down the road you have more than a couple of BFFs, a pet and a next door neighbor who knows your name.
Professional connections are great ways to professionally socialize with leaders and up-an-coming leaders in various industries. Plus, job postings, investment opportunities, projects and more can come to you through professional connection channels.
15. Pace yourself
Most online college classes can't be completed overnight.
Set your schedule and pace yourself to get the most success out of your online class. Keep going and do the honest work even if others in your class start to brag about the not-so-honest shortcut they found. You will become a better person and a better leader for your consistent course pace and legit diligence.
With these 15 steps, you are sure to ace your next online class.
This post was all about acing your online class.
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