If you’re a college student, it’s no secret that the coursework can get taxing. Between homework and reading assignments, there are times when all we want to do is unplug from our academics and relax. But sometimes, it’s easy to let yourself slip into a slump. And maybe even forget about class participation altogether. There are ways you can (and should) be proactive about staying on track with your online classes. Let’s take a look at some ways for students to stay focused during their studies.
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Let’s begin.
Check your email and Blackboard every day
You should check your email and Blackboard every day.
It’s easy to forget about these two places, but they’re the primary places where students will find information about your class. If you don’t check them regularly, it’s likely that students will be lost when they try to contact you.
You should also make sure that there are no typos or grammatical errors in any of the materials posted on these sites before allowing students access—and if there are serious issues (like a major error), then go ahead and remove those materials immediately!
Create a schedule for yourself that includes time for checking in with your class
You’ll need to create a schedule that works for you. If you’re the type of person who likes to know what’s coming up and be able to plan appropriately, then set aside at least an hour every day to check in with your class. The same goes for if you like having some flexibility in your schedule or prefer to learn when it’s most convenient for you (like during the late afternoon).
Checking in with classmates will give them an opportunity not only to ask questions but also to share information with one another that might otherwise go unnoticed. This can help everyone learn more than just one lesson at a time—and it’s certainly better than sitting there on mute while listening to someone else lecture!
Clear off your desk and maybe do something like organizing your bookshelf
You know the feeling: you’re in the middle of a project and someone knocks on your door. You might be tempted to ignore it or fiddle with something else (your computer, for example), but if you can think ahead, you might consider putting off what’s on your desk until after they leave. It’s not like there aren’t plenty of other distractions out there—and they won’t magically disappear just because they’re gone! So don’t feel bad about saying yes when someone asks if they can come in.
Make sure you have a reliable computer that is up-to-date and virus-free
To avoid problems with your computer, it’s important to make sure it is backed up and has a good internet connection. The best way to do this is by using antivirus software on the computer itself. If you don’t have access to an antivirus program then consider purchasing one from Amazon or another online retailer that offers free shipping for orders over $25 (and remember—you can also get coupons for discounts!).
Keep your documents sorted
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Keep all of your important documents, notes, etc. organized in a place that works for you, like Google Docs or Evernote, because it’s probably going to be easier than digging through hundreds of folders on your laptop.
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As soon as you finish an assignment and hit the “submit” button at the bottom of the screen, go back to your online backup and save it there so that if anything happens to your computer—or if someone steals it—you’ll still have access to all of your work.
Find a study space or use ambient noise or classical music when you’re studying
To get the most out of your online class, you need to take advantage of the resources that are available. One of these is finding a quiet space where you can focus and study. If you’re stuck at home or work, try using headphones or ambient noise to block out distractions so that you can concentrate on learning.
Another way to improve your online course experience is by selecting classical music for background noise in your workspace. This will help keep students focused on what they’re doing and prevent them from getting distracted by other things happening in their environment (like watching TV).
Set up reminders
Set up recurring reminders in your calendar so you don’t forget things like assignment due dates or webinar meeting times.
If you’re like most people, your calendar is probably full of appointments and reminders.
Make a schedule
Take a look at the deadlines for each assignment or activity, and make sure you have enough time allotted for them. If not, figure out when they need to be completed and adjust accordingly.
Take advantage of resources available online
If you want to get an early start on each week’s work, use online resources like Google Docs or Dropbox where possible. You’ll save yourself time by using these tools instead of having to print out papers or write notes for yourself every day.
Use a planner to write down due dates and other important info so it’s all in one place and easy to access
Use your planner to keep track of all your classes, assignments, study sessions, and exams.
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Make sure you always have a copy of the course syllabus in hand so you can reference it when needed.
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Record due dates for each assignment or exam as well as any other important information such as grades or tests that will be administered during the semester (e.g., final exam date).
Keeping yourself organized online can help keep you proactive in class
In order to stay proactive in online classes, you need to be organized. You need to know what’s going on with your class and how it’s moving forward. This can be done by keeping track of:
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The current status of assignments
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The progress of each student’s work (if applicable)
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Where students are at in the course
Conclusion
I hope these tips have helped you get started on the path of being proactive in class. If you feel like this is a new thing for you, remember that there’s no need to force yourself into it—you’ll have your own time and place, and we all have our own ways of learning best. The main thing to remember is that as long as you’re doing whatever works for you when it comes to managing your online presence, then by all means keep doing what makes sense for each individual learner!
