How To Be Successful In An Online Class Environment

The COVID-19 pandemic had major effects on just about every aspect of our daily lives. We know you’re probably tired of hearing about it three years later, but it’s important to mention because it changed schooling forever.

Educators quickly had to learn how to keep students engaged in their online lessons, and learners had to adjust to a new style of learning. Although it’s been several years since many students first made the switch to online education, some are struggling with the change, and others are new to the online learning game altogether.

Are you unsure of how to be successful in an online class environment? Regardless of which camp you fall under, we’ll discuss 13 online class tips that will make your learning experience valuable. Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in!

1. Approach it like a normal class

Think of any online class as a regular school learning session. Be punctual and join on time, and practice proper manners as you would in any other classroom by putting away your phone and respecting your teacher and peers.

2. Take notes as you normally would

Don’t think you don’t need to pay attention just because the teacher might record a lesson! Use your laptop, tablet, or regular old pen and paper — whatever works for you — to write down key pieces of information.

Also, use relevant online sources provided by instructors like you would a textbook (you’ll likely have those, too).

3. Create a dedicated study space

Ensure you have a room (or part of one) that’s used just for learning. Make certain you have all the necessary furniture such as a desk, lamp, and chair, as well as enough lighting and fresh air so that you can see properly and stay alert during class.

4. Eliminate all distractions

Keep only the devices you absolutely need during class (your laptop will likely be one of them as you’ll need it to join the session). Put away any other tech you don’t use strictly for learning purposes.

You can also disable notifications for unnecessary apps (like TikTok) on the devices you do need during class. Turn off your internet connection (if applicable) so that you don’t get tempted to scroll instead of learning.

5. Be organized

Gather all your relevant studying materials ahead of the class or studying slot so that you don’t waste time scrambling for notes, folders, stationery, or textbooks during your session.

Colour-code your work by subject if you find that helpful, and arrange your materials according to your time slots (for example, if your first class is Math, have your Math stuff on top of the day’s pile).

6. Set a studying schedule

This is probably the most crucial of all the tips for taking online classes! Organize time slots for studying and doing other homework in between, before, or after online classes. Also, decide exactly what and how much work you’ll do during these periods.

Make certain your goals are realistic and that you set aside the correct amount of time for each task, but leave yourself some wiggle room if some activities take more or less time than originally expected. It’s a good idea to start with the hardest work first.

Remember that, unlike a traditional school setup, you’re free to study at whatever time you want (outside of your scheduled classes). So, figure out when you’re most focused — whether that’s in the morning, afternoon, or evening — and use it to your advantage.

7. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Ask your teacher questions as you normally would in a classroom, either during or after the class. Reach out to your classmates outside of class, if that makes you feel more comfortable.

If you find your marks are dropping or that you’re not managing to turn in homework on time, find a tutor to help you get back on track.

The most important thing is not to beat yourself up about struggling. Everyone has difficulty with something, so you need to try to maintain a positive mindset and remind yourself that you’re not alone!

8. Form a study group

Meet up with some classmates to study together. These sessions are helpful for asking questions you might have, and they keep you on target because you need to prepare some work beforehand.

Studying groups can also be useful to ask each other set test or exam questions to drill in the right answers if you originally get them wrong.

9. Meet all your deadlines

Most online schools will have programs that allow you to see class schedules, upload assignments, and communicate with educators and peers. They’ll also tell you when deadlines change, so be sure to check those regularly for any changes.

Be strict with yourself when it comes to asking for extensions. Do that only if it’s totally necessary, like if you’ve been ill or there’s been a personal problem. Meeting your deadlines will help you with final exams as you’ll already be familiar with the studying material ahead of time.

10. Reward yourself

Just like our pets, people respond really well to rewards, so it’s important to treat yourself once you’ve achieved a goal like submitting an assignment on time, attending all your classes, or covering all your studying material in its dedicated time slot.

You can choose to watch an episode of your favourite show, have a delicious snack, or meet up with friends for a fun activity — anything that you know will motivate you to keep hitting your targets.

11. Build breaks into your schedule

Just as there are break times in traditional school days, you need to make time to relax between classes and work as resting is essential for maintaining concentration.

If you’re anxious about taking time out or losing track of time, use the pomodoro technique to set alarms on your phone in between working periods, and force yourself to take a break when the alarm goes off.

12. Get enough sleep

Whether you attend school on campus or online, pulling an all-nighter is never good. You’ll be more demotivated and less focused if you’re tired, so be sure to go to bed and wake up at reasonable hours.

How many hours of sleep do you need? That will depend on your age, but teenagers typically need 8 to 10 hours. So, work this into the day’s schedule. Don’t forget that sleep is part of self-care!

On that note, make sure you’re eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise as these will also help keep your energy levels up.

13. Set goals for yourself

It’s hard to do well if you don’t know what doing “well” looks like for you. So, decide what grades you’d like to get for each subject, how many assignments you want to do each day, or any other aim so that you can see whether you’re staying on track.

As part of goal setting, you’ll also need to find ways to motivate yourself to achieve your goals. In addition to little rewards throughout the day, explore methods to make your work more meaningful to you.

Final thoughts on how to be successful in an online class environment

Online education can be scary because you have to manage yourself if you want to be successful. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work! Fortunately, if you stay organized, healthy, and motivated, and you work hard, you’ll be well on your way to achieving success in online classes.

FAQ

• How can I learn effectively in online classes?

Pay attention and take notes like you would in an in-person class. Put your phone away and direct your focus toward your teachers and peers when they’re speaking.

• What is the key to success in online learning?

The best way to succeed at online learning is to stay organized and be strict with yourself. You need to make a study schedule and find methods of sticking to it, and you must submit all tasks on time.