More and more people are choosing to pursue distance learning online. Online learning offers many benefits and can require a few lifestyle changes from those looking to succeed. Heading into a physical campus and attending seminars is one thing, but actively managing study on your own terms is extremely rewarding and requires plenty of healthy discipline.
It’s always important to set yourself targets and to manage your time effectively when studying online. Thankfully, because of the incredible growth online learning has seen over the past few years, there are more opportunities than ever for people to find support and guidance.
Studying from home can be a lot of fun—but be prepared to plan a few strategies ahead of time so you can really make the most of your learning and pass your course with flying colors. Here are a few top tips we’ve arranged to help you manage your online studies and find learning success on your own terms.
Reach out to college counselors
College personnel aren’t just there to grade your work and to set deadlines. The staff onboard online degree programs understand that, for many people, getting into distance learning is a whole new experience. Therefore, if you do find it difficult to adjust to your course and to self-guide your learning, make a point to reach out to your designated counselors or your course leaders.
You can normally approach your college team about a variety of issues. For example, if you don’t understand some of the tasks set, if you need help finding more resources, or if you simply feel that you could use a little more guidance while you acclimatize to this new style of learning, there will certainly be options available for you to reach out and speak.
Provided you show that you are willing to learn and are proactive about your studies, there are no reasons why counselors and course leaders won’t be receptive to help you in return. After all, they want you to succeed—it’s why they’re there!
Join online forums
When joining a college course for the first time, there will likely be some communities you can join online for peer support and guidance. For example, you might find a forum or two where students can discuss time management techniques and share ideas on how to find the best resources to boost their knowledge.
It’s especially important to connect with fellow students when studying online, as a strong peer group can provide guidance and support. Consider seeking out any official forums and online communities your college hosts, and then look for external resources such as online study groups on sites such as Reddit or Facebook.
Build a routine
Getting into a routine when studying online means setting up a regime where you ensure you apply the same amount of time, effort, and passion equally across all your modules. Try not to let one or two subjects or pieces of coursework get left behind!
A great first start is to try and set a schedule for when you will study particular topics. If you’re studying for three different modules, for example, you could carve out time on Mondays for the most urgent work, leaving Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the remaining coursework or reading.
Remember, setting a routine also means you need to think about your physical and mental health, too. It can be easy to be too restrictive. So, always set routines where you take breaks from looking at screens and studying every few hours. Be sure to take regular exercise and drink plenty of water on designated breaks.
Clear your desk or studying space
There’s an old saying that has a lot of power when it comes to studying online and managing learning from afar. A cluttered desk is a cluttered mind! Therefore, where possible, try and set up your own designated study space where you read and study in peace. A designated, tidy study area should be one where you solely use the space to make progress with your work.
A cluttered area or one that’s used for other means, such as a dining table, might be distracting to work from. However, it’s understandable that not everyone has the luxury of their own study or even their own desk!
Therefore, if you can’t carve out your own special study space at home, try looking for local study areas in libraries or public spaces near you. In some cases, you might be able to head to libraries for free and use a quiet desk to catch up on your reading.
Dive into course materials and read further
One of the most effective strategies for managing online nursing studies is to engage with the course materials from the outset actively. This allows you to grasp course structure and plan ahead. Early engagement enables you to prioritize your workload and allocate study time effectively. For instance, programs like Wilkes University’s online Post-Master’s NP Certificate provide a comprehensive program guide outlining a sample list of courses. This can help align your expectations with the intended program outcomes to plan your schedule efficiently and streamline your research for secondary sources to foster a deeper understanding of the course content.
Be it any field of study, students can demonstrate their commitment by delving into the recommended reading lists and securing access to required journals and books early on where appropriate. Consider exploring additional resources beyond the provided materials – this initiative shows your instructors a genuine interest in mastering the subject.
Starting early provides valuable time for formulating arguments, changing study approaches, and ensuring success in your online studies.
Plan your study ahead of time
As mentioned above, setting routines when studying online is good practice. It’s also important to be aware of the different deadlines you have approaching.
Ultimately, don’t fall into the trap of leaving everything to the last minute! No matter what some people say, cram sessions rarely work out for the best. Therefore, it’s wise to have an endpoint in mind for studying and to give yourself ample time and space to really get into course material.
By starting your studies early, you give yourself the chance to investigate aspects of the course you might need support with, meaning you can reach out to tutors and course leaders before it’s too late. What’s more, starting early and asking questions long before your deadlines will look great in the eyes of course leaders! Approaching them early means they will likely be more receptive to your needs and keen to help you succeed.
Set clear boundaries
This tip isn’t always possible because we all have busy lives and responsibilities—but when you’re trying to study from home, it’s often too easy to get distracted. For example, if you care for a family, have children, pets, or a full-time job, you might find yourself pushed for time.
However, where possible, try and set healthy boundaries with the people in your life outside of your studies. Make sure to inform others that you will be studying at a particular time of day and that (where applicable) you have a specific space from which to do so.
Setting boundaries is all about communicating clearly with others. As mentioned, not everyone has the luxury of setting complete boundaries—but, at the least, you can establish some ground rules. And if you start studying and planning as early as possible, you can make strides forward when you need to and not waste time when deadlines are fast approaching.
Be kind, but disciplined
Be kind to yourself! Learning from home or remotely is a big change for most people, and for that reason, you should give yourself breaks and make sure you have time to care for your health alongside your studies.
At the same time, consider balance. There is still a need for self-discipline, especially because you won’t have tutors physically demanding work from you. They will expect you to set and manage your timetables autonomously, which means you will need to set yourself some clear and achievable goals and boundaries.
By all means, set breaks during study, but don’t do so at the expense of hitting deadlines or understanding topics. As mentioned, it’s not healthy to cram study into short periods, meaning one of the best things you can do is start sooner rather than later.
And don’t admonish yourself if you struggle with some topics or if timetables don’t work out right away. There are lots of learning curves to keep in mind! Treat yourself with a little patience and kindness, while keeping your eyes on the prize, and you should find adjusting to online and remote learning easier than you originally thought.
Plan ahead for tech trouble
We’re all dependent on technology nowadays, and that certainly goes for people who learn online and off-campus. Without tech, you would have no way of progressing through your studies! Therefore, it’s wise to try and plan for technological needs as early as you can when studying for an online degree or other course. Make sure you have a computer or device where you can readily access the internet.
Do also make sure you have some contingencies in place if things go wrong with your devices or your internet access. Are your devices insured, for example? Do you have replacement devices available if you need them?
And, if your internet connection drops out or proves unstable for any reason, are there places you can go to pick up from where you leave off? Again, for example, you could head to a local library and use the resources there.
Planning for technological failure ahead of time means you have a failsafe plan in case things turn awry when you least expect them. Yet again, here’s where starting to make plans earlier rather than later really works to your advantage! The sooner you have your technology planned out, the easier it will be for you to bounce back from technical problems, should they arise, further down the line.
Use feedback to your advantage
During your course, you are going to receive feedback—it’s a given practice! Your tutors might, for example, give encouragement in terms of where you can extend your reading list, expand your knowledge, or even gain additional physical and practical experience.
Regardless, it’s always wise to accept feedback gracefully and to use it as a genuine springboard to improve your skills and understanding over time. There’s absolutely no need to see feedback as a personal attack—tutors want to help you and want to see you succeed!
Therefore, whenever coursework is marked or a tutor returns to you with advice regarding materials you have submitted, be sure to take note and gradually build on their comments. It’s the best way to grow, regardless of the course you’re studying for.
Enjoy the adventure!
Learning from home is a great adventure, and thankfully, there are more support avenues available to remote learners than ever before. The advice given in this article should hopefully provide a fantastic springboard for your future educational success. Online learning means disciplining yourself and planning your time carefully—but if you’re truly invested in the sphere you’re learning in, you’ll find it easier than you imagine to truly apply yourself.
