tips for online classes....

KristeyK · Apr 12, 2010

There is not a whole lot I can add to this discussion other than this: You get out of online classes what you put into them. I have been attending classes online for over a year now for a different degree and have a 3.96 GPA. However, there are some classes that I was so lackadaisical about that I could not tell you a thing I was learning from it, even as I was taking the class!

OK, I am going to add in one more thing because it CANNOT be over stated with online discussion postings. USE PROPER ENGLISH! Spell check is also a good tool, and please use decent grammar. One thing that is driving me batty in a 400 level management class I am taking now is the improper use of their, there, and they're. REALLY? We are all about ready to graduate from college and some seemingly cannot grasp the English Language. (I hope to GOD I never see a memo from one of these people. LOL) I'm not perfect in real life, but when it comes to the classroom, the only evidence of intelligence my instructor sees from me are my online discussions and my papers. It is very easy to tell when one does not put in a reasonable amount of critical thinking skills into his/her work.

Sand_Dollar, BSN · Apr 14, 2010

I'm taking 6 classes online right now (logic, music appreciation, sociology, stats, western civ and communications) and I can do it because I'm organized (and a bit of an over achiever! lol). I have a day timer, but found there was too much flipping back and forth to see when assignments were due. So instead, I made myself up a spreadsheet, which I highly recommend. In every row, put in the due date it's due, assignment name and the class its for. Do this for every test, assignment, discussion.. anything with a due date. Then do a date sort and viola! you have a comprehensive chronological list. I then just work my way down crossing off as I go along. It really helps when you hit a slump and just don't want to work, or don't know what to do next. I work a minimum of a few days ahead, to a week or more when I can.

Be sure to print out any rubrics or directions you are given, and follow them! I can't believe the amount of whining because a teacher actually expects you to do everything on the rubric to give you full points. And, as others have mentioned, use proper English in everything.

Unless something drastic occurs in the next three weeks to tank my GPA, I will be graduating with my Associates in Science, Summa Cum Laude (4.0) All of my classes have been online and taking them this way has allowed me to stay home with my two children - I love online classes!!