7 Things to Consider Before You Take Online Classes!
When for the first time, people talked about online classes, it sounded very weird to many of us. We found it almost next to impossible. For us, classes always meant the process of teaching and learning face-to-face, one-to-one, in a physical setup in which one teacher could teach one to multiple students at a time. Usually, this had been a norm traditionally, almost everywhere, until online education application technology came into existence.
Online classes or education started in the early 1980s at the University of Toronto. Since then the online education industry has come a long way. However, online classes became popular or can say, a compulsion only when covid 19 pandemic hit the world in 2020. Due to strict lockdown norms, to maintain social distancing, students were forced to stay within their houses. It continued for months and in some places, it was almost a year. This compelled schools and colleges to take online classes. This event gave a boost to online education, online classes, and online tutoring applications. This experience of learning online while sitting at home proved very successful and people realized the benefits of online education.
Online education has become very popular with students who have busy lifestyles. Sometimes when you want to do a course that is not available in your city or country, and there is a possibility of online classes and programs, online education opens a good opportunity for you. Nowadays, you will find many universities offering online degrees and certificate courses for international students. This flexibility has definitely made many students who cannot travel for some reason achieve their dreams.
In this digital age, students are already aware of online mediums for studies and tutorials. It does take some time to adjust to this new platform, but once you become familiar with it, you will start enjoying every bit of it.
Here, we have highlighted the points you need to keep in mind before you plan to take online classes.
1. Time Management is Important
Online classes mostly allow you the flexibility to create your own schedule for your studies, which is a great benefit for students. However, keeping up with the time of maintaining your planned classes is equally important. If you have lined up a class for yourself at a certain time, you need to ensure that you do not have other commitments. Additionally, it is important to complete your assignments before you attend the class if any. It may be easy for you to delay your assignments, but in the case of online classes, you will have to take accountability for delaying too. Consider setting a fixed time each day to focus on your studies and assignments.
You can use a planner or a time management app to monitor and remind you about your study schedules. It can also help you keep track of all your assignments and project deadlines. Planners and time management applications are a great way to remind you about your pending tasks. It helps in making you complete your assignments and tasks on time or sometimes even before time.
2. Keep Your Tasks Organized
Whether you like to keep printed copies of your course materials or want to keep them in digital format, just make sure where your notes and course materials are. You can choose whatever suits you or whatever is comfortable for you, whether printed copies or maintain on your computer or laptop for easy access from anywhere. Organize them in a way so that you can find them easily when you need them. Keeping yourself organized will benefit you as you will not miss any important notes or assignments or deadlines.
3. Online Classes are Equally Rigorous
There is a misconception that online classes are easier than traditional classes. You will require to put in an equal amount of hard work and sincerity as you have to put in the case of on-campus studies for online studies too. What environment you live in, what are your personal conditions, and your learning pattern will decide which learning option is beneficial for you.
Different people have different choices and conveniences. Everything may not suit everyone. So, it is important to find out what best suits you before opting for any format of classes. In some courses, online education may not be beneficial while there are some courses, where you can easily sit at home and complete your studies.
Additionally, you will have to see all the factors in your life before jumping to any conclusion.
4. For Online Classes Computer/Laptop is a Must
Computers or laptops are essential devices for online learning. If you have plans to enroll in online education programs, ensure you have a desktop computer or laptop along with internet access. Also, if you are traveling and want access to your study materials, you can use your smartphone or tablet. But a laptop or a desktop computer should be your primary device as a smartphone or tablet will not be the right device for long hours of study. Also, you cannot access many things on mobile devices. Moreover, small screen space in mobile devices can be strenuous to the eyes and is not comfortable to use if your purpose is online classes.
5. Connecting with Guides or Instructors is a Good Idea
Studying online does not mean you cannot connect to your guides, mentors, or instructors and build a rapport with them. It is an essential part of studies. It will make your feel more engaged in classes. If you participate in question-answering sessions, it will build more confidence in you. Moreover, if you maintain a relationship with your instructor, you will not hesitate to ask questions when in trouble later. You can ask for extra help on an assignment whenever you need some. So connecting with your instructor will help your instructor recall you whenever you ask for help.
6. Get Friendly With Your Classmates
When you make friends in your class, you find the sessions even more exciting and fun. You can make friends even in online classrooms. Try to know them and share pleasantries. It will help you bond with your classmates. Once you make friends, classrooms will be more enjoyable, and you will feel more comfortable and part of a college community.
Online learning platforms like Herzing and Canvas have features that allow online students to become familiar with each other. You can chat using their messaging function and engage in study-related conversations through discussion boards.
You can also connect with them on social media and share study tips, Create groups on Facebook and WhatsApp, and communicate with your online classroom friends outside of class.
7. Try to Enjoy the Whole Experience
Online education is a great option for many reasons. But, many times, you may miss the crowd, the company, and the fun of on-campus education. In on-campus learning, you are more connected to your peer group and college friends. You sit together through classes and various events and also prepare for your exams and discuss studies at length. In online classes, you will have to study on your own within your own confines.
Therefore, it is crucial that you engage in some activities daily that keep you fresh and in the right mood. Join a fitness club, or a local library, or meet your online classmates over a coffee once in a while. The best thing about online learning is you can schedule your day as per your needs. You do whatever works best for you and can engage in activities at your will! You have options to join many other classes and also learn new things like music, dance, and sketches, as the time is all yours once your class is over. You can even start a job and gain experience, which will benefit you in the long run. So make sure, you make the maximum out of your online class. Use your free time optimally.
Conclusion
If are not very comfortable with fixed schedules or need a job side by side to meet your expenses, online education or online classes are the best fit. Also, if you seek a little more flexibility in your education or life, online courses are most recommended. You may take time to adjust to the new setup, but once you adjust, you will find it the most perfect one for you. Stay focused, do not take the course casually, do not lose hope, use your time wisely, and work on networking and bonding with your peers and professors. You will definitely enjoy the whole process and become very successful in your career goals.
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