Training Tools, Tips & Resources

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Study Tips To Help You Succeed with Online Courses

So your prerequisite class roster is filled. Maybe your company is requiring you to take an online course to be considered for a pay raise. Or perhaps you are just taking a defensive driving course to lower your insurance payments. Corexcel works with thousands of online learners whether they are taking clinical or business skills courses. Many people are turning to online courses to fulfill their needs quickly and more conveniently. Here are 5 valuable study tips to help you succeed.

5 Study Tips for Passing Your Online Courses

1. Update Your Computer

study tips for online learners

The major obstacle to taking an online course is having the proper technology. Though 2003 may not seem that long ago, a 10 year old “dinosaur” will probably have trouble displaying the images, graphics and videos of a recent online course. Make sure your computer is fairly recent and updated with a recent Internet browser, Flash Player and JavaScript. Online course providers will list the minimum computer requirements for taking their courses; make sure your machine matches these before registering for the course.

2. Read the Syllabus 

Before you begin the course, read all of the required information carefully. Whether they have sent you a detailed registration email or a syllabus for the course, read the material in full before you start. You don’t want to progress through the course on false assumptions or miss a test that you should have taken. Make sure you know the requirements for completing the course and what grade scale they use so there are no surprises.

3. Remove Distractions 

When taking an online course, it is easy to get sucked into the comforts of home. But watching television, preparing dinner or changing diapers while you study will just distract you from the learning process. You may think you’re saving time, but chances are you’ll probably have to study three or four more times because you missed the information previously. Hopefully your computer is set up in an office or a quiet room. If you have a laptop, feel free to set up your study space in a quiet place away from the noises of the household.

4. Set the Mood 

Some of you have families or roommates, but if possible, you want to give yourself the feel of a classroom environment. Poor lighting and studying on your bed will strain your eyes and probably put you right to sleep. You want to make sure there is plenty of light stimulation. Working at a desk or table will help keep you attentive and give you a space to lay out your books or take notes.

5. Study! 

Knowing the information will not only help you feel confident, but you’ll do better! Many online courses  have timed exams. While open book quizzes and tests may seem easy, you don’t want to waste all your time flipping back and forth through the textbook or online course pages looking for answers. If you know the material, you can spend your time wisely: reviewing your answers and ensuring an A.

These are just a few tips to help you make the most of your online course. Are there any other online learners out there with study tips to share?

Technology in Education: Recorded Presentation from Juan Lopez-Valcarel 

Recently at the Next Web Conference Europe, Pearson Chief Digital Officer Juan Lopez-Valcarcel discussed 7 key technologies that could greatly change the way we educate our youth. He even shared some shocking statistics: 46% of US college students do not graduate. 40% of graduates are told they don’t have the right skills for the jobs they apply for.

Some of the future technologies he mentions include the “Invisible Computer” designed to provide information to students without distraction and “Body Language Assessments”  to help teachers pick up on students’ learning challenges through body language.

Time Mastery: Time Management Techniques for the College Student 

Your college years can be some of the best years of your life. You’re building long lasting friendships with peers, getting to know who you really are and hopefully finding time to study so that you can eventually graduate and enter into the workforce.  Some students also work a part-time job while going to school full-time.  Finding the time to juggle and balance all your responsibilities can be difficult at times, but time management skills can be learned. So, if you’re worried about feeling stressed out or are already there, follow my time management techniques below for some relief.

My College Experience

I’m an early riser so I was more inclined to choose early morning college courses. Most of the time, my courses were finished by 2 pm which freed up my afternoon. I would usually go to the gym for an hour to unwind from the day’s classes. After the gym I would go to the library with the highest percentage of girls (at Rutgers that was the Mabel Smith Library on the Cook/Douglass Campus) because you need to find enough time for dating, too! There, I would study for at least 2 hours. I would review the material that I took notes on that day in class to reinforce the learning. Studying and reviewing my notes then helped me save time later when it came time to prepare for the exam.

time management techniques college

If you’re working a part-time job like many full time students are (and like I did as well), I may be able to help. I only worked two four-hour shifts and scheduled them every other day. When I was able to choose the days I worked, I always picked Tuesdays and Thursdays. I never chose to work on Monday because I wanted to ease back into the week and didn’t want to wear myself too thin too early on in the week. I would also try to pick up shifts on the weekend. Working a few extra shifts (if possible) can provide you with a little extra money so you don’t have to bug mom or dad all the time. Any free time during the day, nights or on weekends should be spent with your friends and/or significant other with the occasional study session squeezed in.

This schedule has always worked for me, but everyone is different. A great way to help you build better time management skills is to first learn what you do well and what you can do better. Taking a Time Management course is a quick, easy and effective way to learn more about your current time management skills and pick up on some new time management techniques.

More of my Time Management Techniques for Students 

Start small. Break up larger projects into smaller/more manageable projects to start chipping away at a looming deadline.

Pepper in study breaks. Every hour take a 10 minute break. Do something that doesn’t involve studying like taking a walk, listening to your new favorite song, call someone or just don your Ray-Bans and people watch on campus.

Snack healthy. Make your own trail mix of almonds, pumpkin seeds and raisins to keep your brain sharp and your stomach satiated

Start a study group. Studying in a group can be extremely helpful and from my experience can be beneficial to discuss topics with the group that may come up on the next exam. Plus you’re exposing yourself to meet new friends which may come in handy when the weekend rolls around.