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Practical strategies to stay organized, motivated, and connected as an online student
Going to school online may seem like the easier option for many people, but there is a lot more to it than most people think! A whopping 40% of all college students enrolled in two-year public colleges attended class exclusively in these distance education courses (National Center for Education Statistics). This is especially important to adult learners because it creates the ability to balance classwork with home and family responsibilities as well.
To be an online student, you have to have exceptional self-management skills along with many other hard-working traits to keep your grades favorable. So, here are five tips that helped me get through my online courses — hopefully, they can help you too!
These tips have helped me to maintain my Dean's List status the last two semesters. Before utilizing them in my own life, I found it hard to keep up with my classes and their assignments. I always procrastinated in doing my work, thinking I had more time than I really did. The consequences were I almost failed one of my classes in my first semester. If I could go back and redo them knowing everything that I know now about being organized, asking for help, taking it easy on myself, staying connected and setting a dedicated workspace I know my grades would have been way different.
Tip #1 – Stay organized!
When taking online courses, especially when they are asynchronous, it is so easy to forget the seriousness that is needed to get all assignments in on time. Before I realized this myself, I had a hard time remembering when assignments were due, what dates classes started, and when test days were. This is why organization is a HUGE part of being successful! Get a planner that has breakdowns of days, weeks, and months so that you can easily track your assignment due dates, test dates, and important deadlines. I was never a person who used a handwritten planner, but not only do I depend on mine now, I am attached to it! Starting each week, you can write out a detailed plan for your day-to-day homework and studying that needs to be done. When everything is all in one place, it’s much easier to plan!
Tip #2 – Have a dedicated workspace!
Having a dedicated workspace can make a world of difference in your studies and grades. Beds are for sleeping, kitchen tables are for eating, and your workspace is for working. This is why when you’re in bed you get tired, when you’re in the kitchen you get hungry, etc. We reflect our environments. Creating a space — even a small one — that you go to explicitly to work creates an environment where you can focus and get things done. Before I had a dedicated space to do my classwork, I always felt unmotivated, distracted, and bored. Now, when I sit in my dedicated area, a switch in my brain flips because I know it’s time to lock in. So get a comfy chair, a nice desk, a good seat at the library, or any space that feels good to you and get to work!
Tip #3 – Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
In my school career, I have had more struggles than I can count. The cool thing about college, though, is that there are so many resources for students going through all types of hardships. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your school's student resource center, where you can find help with tutoring, food needs, scholarships, financial guidance, and so much more. Some schools even offer programs that help with mental health support and accommodate students with disabilities. Almost anything you could think of needing help with, they can most likely find a resource for. There is NO SHAME in asking for help — that’s what they are there for!
In my own experience, I had to reach out to get accommodations for my anxiety and health problems. My counselor was incredible and helped me to get extra time as needed for tests and assignments when normally I would have struggled with them. Our Wellness Center director also helped me to find all the scholarships that I was qualified for to help me with some of my financial burdens during the school year. I can say with certainty that if I hadn’t reached out for help, I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have in school. So do yourself a favor and let yourself use the resources so readily available to us as students! You will be nothing short of filled to the brim with gratitude when you see just how much help is available to help you succeed in school. I know I was!
Tip #4 – Stay connected!
Being an online student can be an isolating experience. While a lot of clubs and groups offer meetings over Zoom, there is so much more to college than classwork and video calls. School events and student spaces on campus offer chances to engage and be inspired by other students and staff. Connecting with people over coffee in the café, studying together in the library, and even attending school events with classmates helps build bonds that can last a lifetime. Allow yourself to connect with others so that you can help each other become the best versions of yourselves. For me, this looked like joining more clubs, getting involved with the Resilient Students Network, and participating in the events the school offers. Each of these opportunities is a chance to build physical and emotional support throughout your online class career, which is an important tool in your success kit!
Tip #5 – Have accountability, but don’t be too hard on yourself!
All the best things in life are hard-earned, and that includes your college degree! There will be assignments and classes that you struggle with. There will be math questions that have your head spinning like a merry-go-round, and there will be teachers you don't particularly see eye to eye with — and that's okay! Nothing in life is ever smooth sailing, but as long as you put in good, honest effort, you will get the best results you can. If you don't understand something, ask for help. If you are feeling anxious, talk it out with a trusted friend. If you are having doubts about your work, look for reassurance. As a college student, you have so many resources at your fingertips — it's just up to you to use them!
Overall, I have found that success in online courses really comes down to what you are willing to do to succeed. Are you willing to stay organized, be accountable, stay motivated, and ask for help? Will you allow yourself to fall through the cracks without trying to grab the safety lines in place? Or are you someone who will rise to the occasion and show the world what you are made of? Personally, I spent way too much of my life doubting myself and wondering if I was worthy of a brighter future and support — but the truth is, all of us are worthy of that. I wish you the best of luck in your online courses!
