Online learning is different from learning in a classroom. It might be more challenging to remain engaged, particularly when you’re sitting for many hours in solitude—but fear not, because these five easy tips will keep you going and moving toward success.
1. Maintain the Connections
One of the biggest problems with learning online is that it can isolate you. But the good news is, you can take small steps towards feeling more connected. Begin by completing your online profile in full—add a welcoming photo and tell a little about your interests. This allows others to get to know you.
Don’t just read discussion boards—jump in and respond to other students. Carry on the conversation by email, video conference, or messaging. And don’t forget, your instructor isn’t only grading you—they’re also there to assist you. If you’re afraid to email them, just remember that they want you to succeed.
2. Take Charge of Your Own Learning
Some online learning is set in stone—you must read, take quizzes, and meet deadlines. But otherwise, you are allowed much more freedom than if you were in a typical classroom. For instance, you can choose how you engage in discussions or how you tackle major projects.
Because you have this liberty, exercise it so that learning becomes more engaging for you. Connect assignments to your interests. If you’re learning about business, perhaps apply a discussion post to an actual company you are interested in. If you’re taking a writing course, choose topics that you are interested in. The more you connect your work to your own objectives, the more encouraged you’ll be.
3. Set Good Goals
When you consider what you want out of your class, what’s the first thing that pops into your head? For most of us, it’s something general like “pass the class” or “improve at my job.” But studies have proven that writing down specific, concrete goals keeps you more motivated and putting in more effort.
Rather than saying, “I want a good grade,” try instead:
- “I want to get at least 90% on each quiz.”
- “I want to improve my public speaking by practicing in every discussion post.”
Small, clear goals like these make it easier to track your progress and stay excited about learning.
4. Help Yourself Stay on Track
Life has a way of getting in the way, and distractions are all around—particularly when you’re studying at home. That’s why it’s good to think ahead about pitfalls. Take a minute to reflect: “What normally stops me from studying?” Perhaps it’s Facebook, television, or friends asking you to play video games.
Now that you have identified your major distractions, create easy rules for managing them. For instance:
- “If I receive a reminder that there’s a new episode of my favorite series, I’ll complete this chapter first.”
- “If my friends invite me to go out, I’ll inform them I’ll come along after completing my assignment.”
Getting these “if → then” rules planned out ahead of time makes it much less likely to get derailed. And if you do get behind? Don’t freak out—just contact your instructor and come up with a plan for getting caught up. Everyone gets behind sometimes, and it’s never too late to get back in the swing of things.
5. Create Productive Habits
One of the greatest benefits of online education is that it’s not rigid—you can learn whenever it works for your lifestyle. But that means it may be more difficult to be disciplined too. Without setting a schedule, you could end up cramming at the last minute or attempting to study while doing five other things.
Be truthful about your time. If you have children at home or a demanding job, schedule brief, regular study sessions rather than extended, irregular ones. Create a routine—such as studying each morning between 8-10 AM—and share it with your family or roommates. When others are aware of your plan, they’re more likely to assist you.
Most of all, do not multitask. Attempting to listen to lectures while scanning through your phone or cooking dinner is just going to distract you and prevent you from learning as effectively. Focus your entire attention on studying, even if it’s short-term.
About the Author
Dan Belenky serves as the Director of Learning Science Research at Pearson, where he collaborates with the Efficacy & Learning Research group. Their objective is to know how one learns best and applying science in order to make them succeed.
Prior to joining Pearson in 2014, Dan was a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University’s Human-Computer Interaction Institute, where he researched how individuals use technology in learning. He also has a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, where he investigated how instruction influences student motivation.
Today, Dan’s work investigates how psychology and behavioral science insights can be applied to enhance education at scale—enabling more people to learn well wherever they are.
