Tips for Online Students, Research Paper Example

Research has indicated a significant rise in the number of online students. However, it might be bad news for students wishing to take online studies. With my experience, I have found that most learners opt for online studies because of the flexibility of the program. This flexibility may be a great challenge for any learner who does not take studies seriously. The fact that there is no personal contact with teachers or classmates creates laxity for an online student. This is because a student is in his/her own and does things at free will. This habit may result into failure in the end.  Online students have to employ various techniques in order succeed in the end.

Setting up a plan has to be the first thing. I found out that it is important for a student to structure a study calendar for their course. This can be simply done by checking through the syllabus to know the arrangement of topics in the course before the commencement of the course. Internet connection is another most important tool for online students. Besides juts a computer, online learners need to have mobile devices like iphones or androids phones where they can check in alerts on about their course. They should not only check on what is available on the next day but at least six months ahead.

Discipline is also the key to success in online learning. Discipline constitutes motivation to work, commitment and communication. Since there is no direct contact between the learner and the teacher, proper communication has to take place in order to solve problems. A teacher may not know whether a student has a problem unless they communicate effectively.

During online lessons, a student is advice to avoid internet obstruction. Checking into the mail, browsing through the internet during online lessons affect’s one’s concentration. Making notes is also an important thing to do since a lot of material seems to pass through the eyes of a learner who may get confused. If possible, the learner should note down the link for easy retrieval of information. Even though online learning does not involve a classroom, a student has to interact with other online students and share useful information about their course. They may do this through email conversations and attachment of important research documents. Help from experts ensures that what a student knows is very correct. Online students should try to gather courses of information from other scholars and try to compare them with what they already know. Procrastinating in online studies is as dangerous as it is in any form of learning. A student might be overwhelmed with reading since there was a pile up of reading materials for the oncoming exam. System failure can also hinder a student from finishing the preparation. Just in case the computer encounters mechanical problem or there is internet problems on the night before the exam will definitely cost the learner.

If students get to know well almost all the learning strategies, they remain with the task applying the technological aspect of online. Printers are too necessary for online students. Hard copies are also part on online student’s success. When some E-books are not convertible into PDF, they need to be printed. Note taking soft wares are currently available where students can highlight important points during the online lectures. Webcams and headsets are essential for online learners. They at least add contact between the student and learners as voice and picture of the tutor are felt. Psychologically, the aspect of picture and voice increases the understanding level of a person.

Another most important thing for an online student is to find an ideal working place. An environment that is learner friendly is advised. In a house, one ought to set up a study room where there is no obstruction. This helps in concentration and proper understanding of a discipline. Online learners are therefore advised to follow all the requirements of the program right from their personal discipline to the technological applications.