5 Tips to Be a Successful Online Learner

As you grow older and “life happens”, adding school back into your schedule to complete a degree can be a big adjustment, especially when working full time. This is where online programs truly shine. These programs offer the flexibility to flow with your plan rather than completely alter it. 

With the proper planning, support, and resources, you can successfully earn your degree. Norwich University understands the dynamics of being both a student and a working adult.  There is an extensive support system of staff and faculty whose principal focus is to help you succeed academically, professionally and personally. Whether you need someone to walk you through the financial aid process, help you locate research paper sources, or provide direction when needing a pause, we are ready, willing, and able to serve.
 

Start on the Right Track

1. Plan, Plan, Plan. Determine your timeline for completing your degree and acknowledge the hurdles that might impede your way to the finish line. Your enrollment advisor can help you identify goals and potential obstacles as well as develop a strategy to overcome possible setbacks from incidents like work deadlines, family emergencies, or falling behind in class. Should any of these situations arise, your plan can help you get on track again.

2. Communicate. Our faculty understand the unique needs of online students and provide our students with the flexibility and resources they need to succeed. That’s why it is important to communicate with your professors and enrollment advisor about upcoming life events, travel for work, or trouble with the course material so that adjustments can be made before you fall behind.

3. Manage Your Time. Although we offer students flexibility when ‘life’ happens it is your responsibility to keep up with coursework and make time for weekly discussion posts, readings, and assignments. All of our students face challenges that traditional students do not, but our successful students make their coursework a priority and schedule it into their weekly routine. Check out our blog on time management.

4. Pace Yourself. Some students enter the program with the goal of graduating as soon as possible. Our goal is to see all of our students graduate, so we encourage students to acclimate to online learning before enrolling in more than one course per term. Once you have experience with the pace and demands of our online programs, you will then be able to gauge how practical taking two courses over the term might be for your learning style and schedule. Your enrollment advisor can provide guidance on the classes that will make the most sense for you. Don’t burn yourself out!

5. Work Together. Find support with your classmates. Discussion boards are not just places to submit weekly participation posts, but to get to know your classmates, share ideas, and make friends. If you are struggling with an assignment, a concept, or are overwhelmed with being a student in addition to all your other responsibilities, know that you are not alone. Many of your classmates are having similar experiences, and working through them with a peer can make all the difference.