how to pass a online college course

by Jose Flatley 10 min read

10 Tips to Help You Pass Online College

  1. Accept that online doesn’t mean faster. It’s a common mistake. People think “self-paced learning” means faster learning. Self-paced just means at the speed you want or like best.
  2. Practice good time management. If you don’t pay attention to it, time slips away faster than you can say, “Mafia Wars.” If you’re using an online program so you ...
  3. Pay attention to course requirements and scheduling. One advantage to a traditional class is that they schedule things for you. ...
  4. Pay attention to body mechanics. No one worries about what you might be doing to your hands or neck when you’re sitting in a lecture hall for an hour ...
  5. Know your distractions. Pay attention to what pulls you away from paying attention to the hard stuff. Is it email? Shut down Outlook.
  6. Engage with other students and create interaction. One of the problems with online learning can be the sense of isolation. ...
  7. Notes are not just for classrooms. Online does not necessarily mean paperless. ...
  8. Manage your space, but not the way you think. The old adage “make a study space” may actually turn out to not be the best strategy. ...
  9. Be tech savvy. Be ready for what’s going to be asked of your computer set-up for your online courses. ...
  10. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize. Motivation is one of the key elements of online success. ...

Successful Strategies for Passing an Online Class
  1. Ensure you have reliable internet access. Almost every facet of an online class requires internet access. ...
  2. Treat it like a regular class. ...
  3. Set aside a “study space” ...
  4. Take notes and organize your study materials. ...
  5. Participate in discussions and forums. ...
  6. Tap into self-motivation.
Jan 15, 2021

Full Answer

How do I pass an online course?

Tips for Passing Online Classes. Manage Time Wisely. Keeping track of assignment and project deadlines is essential when taking online courses. To ensure you allow enough time to ... Take Notes and Study. Minimize Distractions. Participate in Group Discussion Boards.

How do online courses work?

10 Tips to Help You Pass Online College 1. Accept that online doesn’t mean faster. It’s a common mistake. People think “self-paced learning” means faster... 2. Practice good time management. If you’re using an online program so you can study around …

How do I study for online classes?

Sep 02, 2020 · 1) Take a course that you are truly interested in. This is the most important factor when it comes to passing your college course. There is nothing that makes studying harder than not really being interested in the subject.

Should I pay for an online course?

Establish a study routine, and stick with it. Each course has a set amount of credit hours attached that you’ll be expected to fulfill in person or online. The general rule of thumb is that for each credit hour, you’re expected to put in two to three hours of independent work, completing assignments, studying, or preparing for the next class.

Is online college courses hard?

Online classes can be as hard as traditional college courses, sometimes even more so. Aside from the hardware and software requirements and learning how to use them simply to attend the course, there is the added factor of self-discipline to get the work completed.Aug 4, 2021

How do you finish an online course quickly?

manage time over in order to successfully complete an online course:Make the course a priority. ... Take the course with a friend or colleague. ... Set aside one hour a day to work on the course. ... Make a study plan. ... Make a calendar or schedule. ... Get rid of distractors. ... Set goals and incentives.More items...•May 4, 2015

How fast can you finish an online college course?

Accelerated online bachelor degree programs may allow students to earn a degree in as little as 18 months. Due to the intensity of this type of coursework, students should be prepared to allow more time, at least in the short term, for school.Nov 13, 2018

Are online college courses easy?

One of the most common questions asked on this topic is, "Are online classes easier?" Put simply, the answer is no. Opting for online courses over traditional courses is not the easy route for your education. It's true that online courses offer more flexibility, but that doesn't change the amount of work you put in.Jul 27, 2020

How many people actually finish an online course?

Completion rates in online courses are generally low, averaging around 13%.

How many online classes should I take at once?

For most online students, 1-2 classes with an intense workload is the most they can manage. Most online students have other responsibilities, usually family and/or employment. The more classes a student takes, the more important time management is.

How many hours a day is online college?

4-5 hours doing the related readings, papers, etc. Total: 8 hours per course per week. Or a little more than 1 hour per day per course.Jun 28, 2021

Is online college quicker than in person?

Researchers found that online courses helped students finish their bachelor's degrees faster, but students tended to get lower grades in their online classes — a sign that they're learning less than they would have in a traditional class.Dec 6, 2021

Why does a bachelor's degree take 4 years?

One of the biggest reasons students end up taking many years to complete their bachelor's degree is because they change their majors partway through their education. This happens because many college freshmen are unclear about where they want to take their professional lives.Jan 12, 2021

What's the easiest class to take in college?

9 Easiest College Classes For SuccessCreative Writing. ... Physical Education. ... Psychology. ... Public Speaking. ... Anthropology. ... Art History. ... Acting. ... Photography. If you're not in art school or trying to become a professional photographer, taking a photography class can still provide you with valuable lessons.More items...

What makes online classes difficult?

Online learning is harder for many reasons; from missing crucial parts of your learning, to not being able to access your education because of the internet, online learning has been a rough adjustment. Many students have struggled to make the jump from physically being at school to learning virtually.

How do you survive online classes?

Here are some of their valuable tips to help you make the most out of your online learning experience.Assess yourself as a student. Not all students are the same when it comes to learning. ... Stick to a schedule. ... Take necessary breaks. ... Make a to-do list that works for you. ... Make the most of your resources.Sep 10, 2020

2. Practice good time management

If you don’t pay attention to it, time slips away faster than you can say, “Mafia Wars.” If you’re using an online program so you can study around your work schedule, make sure that study hours are as integral a part of your day as your job. Plan out how many hours a week you want to give for listening to lectures online or watching videos.

3. Pay attention to course requirements and scheduling

One advantage to a traditional class is that they schedule things for you. Classes are at the same time every week, and assignments are doled out as the class progresses. With online learning, the schedule is totally up to you. Which can sometimes be where the problem happens.

4. Pay attention to body mechanics

No one worries about what you might be doing to your hands or neck when you’re sitting in a lecture hall for an hour or two, but pay close attention to the physical demands of prolonged computer use.

5. Know your distractions

Pay attention to what pulls you away from paying attention to the hard stuff. Is it email? Shut down Outlook. Facebook? Close the page. Twitter? Turn it off.

6. Engage with other students and create interaction

One of the problems with online learning can be the sense of isolation. It’s easy to get excited about a subject when you have other enthusiastic students around you, and when you’re excited about something the easier it is to stick with.

7. Notes are not just for classrooms

Online does not necessarily mean paperless. Writing down key concepts, making flashcards and summarizing content with good old fashioned paper and ink remains one of the best learning strategies there is.

8. Manage your space, but not the way you think

The old adage “make a study space” may actually turn out to not be the best strategy. New research suggests that varying where you study may actually help your brain learn new information.

Why are online courses important?

Online courses are great for independent learners since you are held accountable for your ability to follow a syllabus and meet deadlines outside of a physical classroom. You must reliably meet deadlines and turn in your work on time. Missing deadlines can have a large negative impact on your grade.

Where did Christopher Taylor get his PhD?

He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. Christopher Taylor, an English professor, advises: "Creating a study and assignment schedule and sticking to it is key to completing an online course.". Carefully read the class requirements and syllabus.

Can I take online classes through college?

Since you are working through the course on your own time, it is important to follow a specific schedule and to complete your reading and assignments online. You may be taking an online class through your two or four year college or through an online college program.

Why do students struggle to complete online classes?

Lots of online students struggle to complete their online classes. The reason why is straightforward. Although online classes are flexible in terms of study time and place, the complexity of their assignments is at the same level as traditional in-person classes. While a large percentage of students who sign up for online classes can complete their work with satisfactory grades, many struggle with the day to day requirements of online learning and depend on receiving help from family, friends, or services like Online Class Help to get the grades they need in order to advance in their careers.

Why do students fail to ask for help?

Students may be too proud to ask for help, they may be too shy, or they may think that there is no one who can really help them. While failing to ask for help happens even in traditional in-person classes, we think it is more common in online classes because online students tend to be isolated. When students are busy working part or full-time jobs or raising families at the same time, they’re less likely to reach out to others, be they classmates, professors, or helpful online services. But for students who want to know how to pass online courses, asking for help is often the very best thing they can do for themselves.

What does it mean to take good notes?

Taking good notes is an art form in and of itself. While some feel like good notes mean writing down every single thing the professor says, this couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s not about straight dictation. It’s about capturing the main idea and major supporting details of what the instructor says.

What happens if you don't do the work?

If you don’t do the work, you don’t get the credit. You’re paying for your education, and professors feel no obligation to hold your hand through the work. It falls on you to get the job done. While some subjects are harder than others, you can pass any college class by adhering to a certain set of principles.

Is failure a possibility in high school?

In many high schools, failure is never really a possibility. Teachers have to deal with a lot of red tape to fail a student, and there are so many other more important things to worry about in the profession that they may simply pass you along to avoid the paperwork when you’re not really ready.

When is the best time to study?

Sometimes the best time to study is actually right after you get home from work, before you start relaxing.

What to do if you have months left to complete an assignment?

Even if you have months left to complete an assignment, or to start studying for an exam, do a little bit of the work as soon as possible. This is a great way to help you complete your course for 2 reasons:

How to write a paper for a paper?

If you are struggling with getting through the work, committing information to memory, or understanding something difficult, then approach the work in different ways. You can: 1 Look online for different or additional information on your specific topic. 2 Talk to a working professional or expert in your field of study. 3 Ask someone else to read the section and explain it to you in their own words. 4 Read the work out loud. 5 Try summarising an entire section in one sentence.

Is college hard?

College can be hard. To some people, passing their college course can seem like the hardest thing they’ve ever had to do. This is especially true for those studying part-time, or from home via distance learning.

How many hours of work do you need to do to get a credit?

The general rule of thumb is that for each credit hour, you’re expected to put in two to three hours of independent work, completing assignments, studying, or preparing for the next class. That may seem like a lot, and only you know how much work you need to put in to excel in a course.

How much debt did the 2019 class of college students have?

That’s why a majority of college students take out student loans. Nearly 70% of the Class of 2019 took out student loans and graduated with almost $30,000 in debt. It’s a frightening statistic, and it’s part of why Scholarships.com exists to help students discover scholarships to pay for college.

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