Over the last couple of years, especially after the outbreak of COVID-19, the concept of traditional learning has changed drastically. In-person education is no longer the only option.
According to a survey, more than 30 percent of higher education students have taken one distance learning course these days. And the reasons are totally understandable. Online learning is a sensible, convenient, and affordable way to learn new skills or sharpen old ones at home. And best of all, virtual learning makes it easier to earn a degree without ignoring personal and professional commitments.
So, whether you’re a high school graduate looking for higher education or having an additional opportunity to learn in your free time, or you’re a professional looking to add a skill set to your resume, an online certification can be the best option for you.
Here is a list of tips and tricks to help you address unique challenges and learn faster.
Tips to Excel At Online Learning
Follow these tips and advice if you plan to take an online certification course (or have enrolled already).
Consider your Online Certification a “REAL” Course
Just because you are taking classes in your free time doesn’t mean you should take your online learning for granted; you have to have the discipline to sit down and dedicate your undivided time and attention to follow through.
One of the easiest ways to ensure consistency and dedication is to remember that you’ve paid for the certification. And, to learn and get something out of the course, do “show up” in every class and listen to the lecture thoroughly; to dub it as more valuable, start treating your online classes as your job.
Practice Time Management
You have the freedom to create your schedule, but if you’re bad at time management, this freedom can hurt your ability to learn at your own pace. Poor time management can lead to subpar assignments and cramming before classes.
Follow these universally valuable tips to manage your time online:
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Check-in regularly: Yes, no matter how busy your day went, try not to miss the online class, and keep a check on how you’re spending your time during sessions. Try to keep a diary – to record the total course reading, the time duration you’re putting in, and the assignments. This little self-reflection and adjustment can help you longer
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Make a schedule and stick to it: An easy way to manage your time is to create a weekly plan, incorporating the number of hours each week you can give to listening lectures, reading and finding reference material, and completing assignments
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Try time-blocking: When doing assignments, it’s essential to use the time-blocking software to allocate time for each task; setting a timer can also help you keep accountable
Hold Yourself Accountable
Set goals at the beginning of the certification/semester and review them weekly.
You will receive verbal reminders from your lecturer regarding assignment submission. But still, it’s best to set reminders for yourself and allot time accordingly. Though it’s a standard practice among students to start the assignment a day before the due date, still remind yourself to do better. For Courses that are on demand such as A Cloud Guru or Udemy make sure to look into interacting with the message boards. Take notes on the sections you have completed with some time stamps of parts that you might need to come back to.
If you’re having trouble holding yourself responsible for due submissions, ask a classmate, spouse, or friend to be your accountability partner. By being self-accountable, proactive, organized, and self-aware, you can take your online class seriously and remain consistent and hard-working throughout.
Actively Participate
Yes, it’s essential for e-students to actively participate in the online forums created by the instructors. Staying active will also help you better understand the course and its materials while also leveraging engagement with fellow students.
Start with commenting on a classmates’ paper and engage with them on the discussion board; you can also post questions/queries about a project you’re working on. This will expand your learning dynamics, letting your professor and mates know that you’re interested and proactive in learning the course.
Building relationships with others can also help you in the future for potential networking. During the course if any confusion arrives, the interaction can become a resource for you, especially when preparing for exams.
Make sure you check all the learning platforms as often as you can.
Eliminate Distractions
Keeping away from Netflix and social media is quite tricky while studying, especially when you’re connected to the internet and keep receiving notifications. To top it all off, you may face a whole slew of other distractions while learning online. The dishes piling up in the sink might start calling your name, or it may seem like a good time to get some shut-eye only to wake up 7 hours later.
Exactly how challenging these distractions are depended on your personality and situation – some tune out a noisy home by connecting to music. Others might go to a local coffee shop or library to eliminate all the urges to multitask, which may not be seized if they stay home.
Ultimately, find a strategy that works best for you, and begin your virtual learning journey.
Another piece of advice could be to turn off or silence your cell phone – to avoid losing focus on every notification that pops up. And if you’re one of those crazy internet surfers, who can’t resist the temptation to check email/Instagram or surf the web, download a website blocker.
Start your Online Certification Now
Online certifications are an excellent option to earn online and excel in your personal and professional lives without needing to go to a class in person. All you need is a working internet connection, a laptop, and the will to learn, and you can get started anywhere in the world.
We realize that despite being a convenient and affordable means of learning, studying online can be difficult. From social media distractions to the temptation of falling asleep when studying in bed, virtual learning presents some unique challenges.
Follow the advice as mentioned earlier so you can study and clear your exams successfully, without disturbing your other commitments.
Make sure to check out our blog on some resources used to start your career change.
Taking the chance to learn online can be the best way to get started on your new path. We are all busy but finding time to keep investing in yourself is always worth it. See You Around!
