How to Succeed in Online College Courses

We are in the "Information Age." Technology like e-mail, cell phones, and the internet have rapidly changed the way we live. It is no surprise, then, that online college courses are also garnering more interest and attention. Nowadays, you can complete a certificate or entire degree completely online, and there are many great colleges to choose from.

However - contrary to popular student misconception - online courses are not an easy ticket through college. Online courses can actually be much more challenging than those taken in person! This is something I quickly discovered when I began online college courses two years ago. I am still "attending" college online, and found there are some easy ways to ensure your success with online college courses.

Read the Online Class Tutorial
Whether you are taking one online course or an entire degree program, the first important step is to read the online class tutorial. Different colleges may use different systems to conduct online courses - but they all offer helpful instructions. Reading these instructions will allow you to successfully maneuver within the online college environment.

They will also offer contact numbers and email for the school's help-desk. If you have further questions, don't be afraid to ask. Lean on fellow classmates for support while learning the online system. Most online class systems are much easier to use than you would think.

Still feeling timid? Get online in the "classroom" area the week before school starts, when professors typically have everything set up. Try maneuvering around and exploring the system before you actually have to use it.

Attendance and Participation
One major reason students fail in online courses is lack of "attendance." Online college courses have no set times or schedules. You can "attend" class anytime you want, even at midnight in your pajamas and slippers. These classes are ideal for the working or non-traditional student. However, most professors will ask you to check into an online "classroom" at least twice a week. You will need to do this to keep up with online conferences.

The online conferences (similar to online discussion forums) take the place of formal classroom meetings. Students may post answers to set questions throughout the week. The amount you input through the week directly affects your participation grade. To ensure success, you should enter the online classroom three or four times a week to read notes left by students and the professor.

You are required to write more than a simple "I agree" when you participate in discussions. Online college courses usually require more thought and preparation than face-to-face classes. You must think out a clear answer to a given topic, and often need to cite quotes from your textbook. Also, most professors will expect you to spell-check; use proper English grammar; and generally use college-level writing skills. You will need to set aside about three or four hours a week for the purpose of composing your own answers and responses.

Due Dates
Some students think since there are no set class times, there are also no set due dates. That would be pretty cool, wouldn't it... but don't believe that hype!

Professors love deadlines - and online professors are no exception. Due dates are set for conference responses, reading assignments, papers, and online tests. As with any college course, missing a due date can lead to unaccepted work, or a lower grade. If you are late, the online system might block you from submitting work. If you must miss a due date because of an emergency (like illness) you will have to alert your professor ahead of time.

One thing to keep in mind about due dates: If you are taking courses through an out of state school, remember the possible difference in time zones. The college I attend online is based in the East, while I live in the Midwest. Due dates and other schedules run around the time zone of the college. So if a professor asks for a paper by 7:00 p.m., make sure you remember time zones to avoid being late.

Time Management
This is probably the most valuable step you could take for online college courses. With the assignments, online conferences, and textbook readings, time management is crucial for your success. This can be more difficult with online courses. When you attend a class in person twice a week, the professor is there to constantly remind you of due dates and upcoming tests. When taking online college courses, it is really up to you to remember what you need to do. Get a calendar or a student planner and faithfully enter the assignments and dates to keep on top of things. When it comes to online college, procrastination is your definite downfall.

Communicate with the Instructor
Your professors are there to help you - but only as much as you let them. They will give you a detailed syllabus online. Print this out and read it! This will tell you when assignments are due, what the professor expects of you, and other helpful details for success.

To communicate with you, the professors will post a lot of reading material for you in the online classroom. Keep in mind that this takes the place of actual lectures. Try to read and not just skim what they have to say. You will not be able to raise your hand to ask a question. Make notes and jot down any questions you have while reading then address the questions to your professor.

There are no office hours with online college courses; you will need to directly email your instructor. Some will even provide office phone numbers. They will let you know how soon you can expect answers, but in most cases it is within the day or 24 hours. Many professors will also set up a special online conference area just for questions; make use of it. Just as in face-to-face classes, there are no "dumb" questions. Don't be afraid to contact your instructor if you need them!

Netiquette
"Netiquette" is a term for internet or online etiquette. Generally, the rules of online etiquette follow those of a regular classroom. It revolves around mutual respect for each person you interact with. If you are unsure of what you are writing online (say, in response to another student's answer), a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: "Would I say this to him/her if we were sitting face to face?" If the answer is no, you might want to rethink what you are typing.

Another good rule is to avoid sarcasm or other attempts at humor (such as poking fun at a student's words). It is difficult to read emotions behind typed words, and a joke can be misinterpreted as an offense. For more rules of Netiquette you can also check the resources link beside this article. The best thing to keep in mind is that behind every computer screen and keyboard is a real person like you, who also has feelings and may hold differing opinions.

Consider Emergency Backup
In this day and age, it is not difficult to find access to the internet. However, in the event that your primary access fails (your computer crashes) you may want to plan ahead and have a back up. Whether it is the public library or you parent's house - find a place you can resort to in emergencies. This will be crucial when you may have to finish your paper or complete an assignment online. And, as with any college courses, it is a good idea to back up your papers or conference work on external storage media (like a portable USB flash drive). This ensures your work will not get lost in the case of a computer failure or other accidental reason.