Online College Classes: How to Motivate Yourself for Success
So, you’ve decided to take online college classes. That’s great! I’ve got some tips to help you stay on track and keep those grades up.
Learn How to Stay Focused
Sometimes it’s harder to concentrate when you’re sitting comfortably in your bed instead of in a classroom. Dedicate one spot that you’ll use when your classes start. Maybe it’s a desk in your room, your kitchen table, or a quiet booth in your neighborhood library. Wherever the designated place is, make sure it has enough light and allows you to sit up straight.
Block Off Study Time
Within that schedule, you should block out designated time to study . Determine what you’ll study, how long you’ll study for, and write them down as appointments. You can even include other events such as family time, work, or other events happening that week if it helps you stay on track. Even if you haven’t learned any new information recently, you can review old information from your handy notebook to keep them fresh in your mind. And when finals arrive, you won’t have to re-learn material from the beginning of the class.
Create a Study Schedule
Set days and times that work best for you so that you’ll get the most out of the class and you can study on your own terms. Do you work better in the morning or afternoon? Whatever your plan may be, make sure it sets you up to log in on a regular basis and complete your course. Use any tools to help you stay on track, like a physical calendar or digital alarms and reminders.
Find Time Management Strategies
Identify your “time wasters,” like social media, video games, or online shopping. Promise yourself not to use these things while you’re studying or working on homework, and turn your phone off if you have to! Work on one task at a time, and break up large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks. Multitasking can slow you down and make you lose focus, making it harder for you to get back into what you’re working on.
Take Notes
Just like in any class, you should always have a notebook by your side or a Word doc open on your computer. This will help you keep track of all the important information you need, especially if there is no textbook required for the class. When the final test comes up at the end, you’ll have an organized and detailed set of information that you can study from.
Finding a Good Work Life Balance
Just like in school, you need to find a work life balance. While it’s important to stay on top of classes and studying, you also need to take breaks and do other things that make you happy. When you have that balance, you’ll be less stressed and more motivated to succeed. Take breaks when you need to so you can come back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your class!
Communicate With Your Professors
Students are always encouraged to utilize their resources and communicate with faculty and professors. It’s no different with online classes, and there are resources to help you such as email, discussion boards, office hours, and sometimes even text message. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions, clarify any information, and get feedback.
Ask for Help
Taking college courses is a big step in your career and your independence, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Reach out to your teachers, parents, and other students in your class. They might be able to better explain a piece of information, so you’ll have a clearer understanding of it. Just because you’re not face to face with your professors and your classmates doesn’t mean they can’t help!
Remember Your Goals
Think about what your long-term goals are. It can be a goal in the timeline of now to college graduation. Then think about the short-term goals in between that time. One can be passing your online class with an A. Write it down somewhere, so you’ll see it every day to keep yourself motivated!