How to get the most out of your online class

“The best way that students can stand out in online classes is to be as organized as possible, including in how you present your work. Because online instructors usually have to grade a written assignment, a well-structured and well-organized student paper stands out. For students, that level of organization facilitates the learning process and leads to more outstanding work.”
—Dolan Williams, education attorney, California, and former student community standards specialist at an online university

“Turning notifications on to alert me by email and text for my online class helps me keep on track with assignments.”
—Emily B., fourth-year student, Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction

“First, take the syllabus and write all the due dates down—I hear this so often, but it really helps. Also make sure you have time each week to work in that class. Sometimes it is easy to forget your online class and focus more on classes you take on campus. Setting time aside each week for that class makes a difference.”
—Leah H., fourth-year student, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado

“Check when the assignment/test is scheduled, which chapters are needed for it, and then divide the number of pages by the number of days until the due date.”
—Corey L., University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada

“I look at who turned in the assignment a day or more before the due date. It shows me that this online student is proficient in planning her or his time and is taking the assignment seriously, not throwing something together last minute.”
—Jennifer Millspaugh, MA, professor of speech communication, Richland College, Dallas, Texas

“It is very difficult to balance your time to make sure you are giving enough attention to your online course. When taking an online course, you need to set aside blocks of time that you do not compromise to get that classwork done.”
—Charlie L., first-year graduate student, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

“Pay attention to deadlines. Dedicate a certain amount of time each week to the online course. Because you are not going to an actual class it feels like you can do it whenever, but due dates are still a thing.”
—Mike W., fourth-year undergraduate, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb

“It is so easy to get distracted when you are not actually in a classroom at a set time. Find a place and time that work best for you. For some students, that may be late at night in a corner of their kitchen or early morning at a coffee shop. Whatever it is, the space should be as distraction-free as possible.”
—Dr. Amy Baldwin, director, University College, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

“Work early on to manage distractions and how you will respond to them. First, it’s important to have a dedicated area where you will complete your studies and coursework online. As faculty, I cannot concentrate while on my laptop in my living room; I have a dedicated office space where I am not able to view the TV.”
—Christina Jaquez, JD, student community standards specialist, Ashford University (online)

“[I recommend] blocking out specific days and times during the week to complete readings, posts, and assignments. Getting into a routine significantly reduces stress and makes it easier to balance school, work, and personal life.”
—Alex C., fourth year student, Metropolitan University of Denver, Colorado

“Set up some kind of routine and do it at the same place or same time as if you were attending a class. Log in every day just to make sure there are no announcements or something you forgot to do. Online classes need special attention so you don’t fall behind, but the flexibility it provides is priceless.”
—Kaila H., fifth-year student, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

“Even though my classes are online, I still arrive on campus at 8:45 a.m. and use the computers in the library.”
—V. T., Santa Rosa Junior College, California

“The absence of body language means faculty can’t see, literally, when students have confusion on their faces. Asking questions for clarification can help everyone: you, your classmates, and even your instructor.”
—David Bartone, lecturer and advisor, University Without Walls, University of Massachusetts Amherst

“Students have the responsibility of reaching out to their online instructors to ask questions. The absence of a face-to-face encounter makes this a fundamental prerequisite for online learning. If that does not happen, students are adversely affected in the learning process as well as the grades that they earn for online courses.”
—Dr. Constantine Passaris, professor of economics, University of New Brunswick

“Be vigilant in keeping up with the coursework, and if you don’t understand something, reach out to your professor sooner rather than later. Online courses are useful because they can be done on your time, so this works well for people with busy schedules. However, in-class help is nonexistent, so you have to make sure you understand the material and get help if you don’t.”
—Mendel J., fifth-year student, SUNY College of Old Westbury, New York

 “Don’t be afraid to email or contact the professor. They are there to help, even for online classes. Reaching out can also help distinguish yourself from other students, which is important especially since it can be harder for professors to get to know you in an online class.”
—Jess W., fourth-year student, Portland State University, Oregon

“Work on assignments as soon as they are available so that you can identify any questions you might have. Because it can be harder to get in touch with the professors, it’s good to know what you need help with as soon as possible.”
—Raymond C., University of Wisconsin–Stout, Menomonie

“Go to every session, complete all assignments, and ask questions as early as possible so you can get a response before it’s too late. Do not treat it as a ‘blow off’ just because it’s online; it’s still a college course, and you have to try to get a good grade.”
—Michael K., Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois

“I always encourage students to do the ‘AEQ method.’ This means Acknowledge what the other student said; provide your own Experience; follow up with a Question.”
—Professor Williams

“Similar to classroom dialogue, learning happens when you interact with your peers. My most valuable tip would be to try to engage with different classmates each week. Be diverse in who you interact with to further enrich your learning experience.”
—Professor Jaquez

“If you can, try to be the first to post on discussion boards; a lot of the time, if you’re late, someone else has already made that point and you have to think of something else.”
—Sam P., second-year graduate student, Portland State University, Oregon

“Most of the time, people are too shy to speak up in class, but in online classes no one sees you, and you can speak your mind all the time.”
—Denise V., St. Mary’s University, Texas

“As an online learner, you have the chance to really think about your ideas and positions before you post your response. No longer must the extroverts determine the discussion. Everyone has a fair shot to contribute frequently and meaningfully; everyone should take it!”
—Professor Bartone

“It is very easy to take written communication the wrong way in an online format. Assume that anyone who communicates electronically is doing so in a calm, caring tone. Believe me! Doing this first and then asking for clarification from others are two keys to long-term management of potential conflicts.”
—Dr. Baldwin 

“Too many students use ‘text-speak’ when submitting their online assignments or participating in discussion boards. Just as you have to change your tone and the language you use to talk to your professor instead of your close friends, you should change your written language online to be more formal and more college level.”
—Professor Millspaugh

“I enjoy having online discussions. I’m allowed to review my response and then submit it, versus fearing saying something stupid.”
—Mason M., University of Wyoming

“Being able to read and reread what others are saying is better than hearing it in class, because it gives me time to digest their opinion and formulate a thoughtful reply.”
—Olivia H., Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada

“Group work can be challenging in an online class if the expectation is to ‘meet up’ or complete work synchronously. Finding a space online—a chat room or even Google Docs—that allows students to interact at a designated time, or asynchronously (in their own time), can be a tremendous help.”
—Dr. Baldwin

“If you have the time and energy, getting a list of emails or numbers for other people in the course can be really helpful so you can chat about assignments. You can also have online study sessions.”
—Sam P., second-year graduate student, Portland State University, Oregon

“Take the course with a friend. That way, you have someone to discuss it with in person and a face-to-face study partner.”
—Abigail R., Wayne State College, Nebraska

“The most important thing is access to a working computer with internet and email along with a backup plan to account for computer issues, internet issues, etc.  While the classroom and some content can be accessed via mobile or through apps, it is rather difficult to complete coursework this way.”
—Professor Jaquez

“Step one: Seek out the e-learning and online help support specialists at your school.”
—Professor Bartone

“Prepare yourself to expect technology issues and to find solutions or quick turnarounds to keep going.”
—Roger R., fourth-year student, University of Wisconsin Stout, Menomonie

“If the instructor is going to use Blackboard or Canvas, or some other sort of medium, then download the app if there is one. Check your online login every morning.”
—Joshua M., California State University, Stanislaus