College Courses in the Distant Classroom: How to Survive an Online Class

I have taken over 35 online classes. While I admit this learning format isn't for everyone, it is something to consider. Online classes offer freedom, flexibility, and the ability to take more courses at once. If you are interested in taking online classes, you need to know how to survive an online class. That's where I come in. With 5 years experience, I can help you survive an online class.

How to Survive an Online Class Tip #1: Know Your Limits

Before signing up for an online class, make sure you are confident enough to handle the subject matter on your own. I say, "on your own" because much of the work you do will be done without help of an instructor. The instructor will of course give instructions for the assignment, but you must be able to understand these instructions. For example, if you have a problem with math, do not take a math course through distance learning. Also, in order to survive an online class, you must think about how much you can handle. One semester I took 7 online classes. This turned out to be a big mistake, because many of the courses required writing several essays. This is something to think about, especially if you plan on working while you attend college.

How to Survive an Online Course Tip #2: Know the Material

Many people are under the misconception that it's easy to survive an online class because everything is open book. Wrong. Even if the tests are open book, you will only have a few minutes to complete the test and many instructors also make the tests so that you have to know the material or you'll run out of time. Also some online classes have a weekly chatroom meeting in which the instructor will ask questions. You will not have time at all to look up answers. So, if you want to survive an online class, you must know the answers

How to Survive an Online Class Tip #3: Do Not Get Behind

Some online classes don't require students to turn in any assignments until the end of the semester. Sounds great, right? Well, it does give you time to properly work on assignments, but if you start to put assignments off, which can be easy to do, you will never survive an online class. You must keep up with the assignments.