Being a better online studies student.
July 3, 2015 6:53 AM Subscribe
Hello! I'm enrolled in this particular library science/tech program, aiming towards a degree. Difficulty: moderately disorganized, easily distracted, feeling sort of dumb.
I started my online schooling this past May. I am doing okay, but I could be doing better. It's mostly time management and distractions that have got me feeling like I am not on top of my game. I work twenty-two hours a week at an admin job, which should leave me plenty of time to get my studies done. Only I feel like I'm flailing. I really want to succeed at this program and it's making me upset that I can't focus like I need to focus.
Usual caveats: I have anxiety and depression, I am very hard on myself if I don't get things perfect/right the first time, mildly dyslexic.
Help me, Hive Mind! I want to be the best student I can be!
I started my online schooling this past May. I am doing okay, but I could be doing better. It's mostly time management and distractions that have got me feeling like I am not on top of my game. I work twenty-two hours a week at an admin job, which should leave me plenty of time to get my studies done. Only I feel like I'm flailing. I really want to succeed at this program and it's making me upset that I can't focus like I need to focus.
Usual caveats: I have anxiety and depression, I am very hard on myself if I don't get things perfect/right the first time, mildly dyslexic.
Help me, Hive Mind! I want to be the best student I can be!
Having earned my bachelor's and master's in traditional college settings, when I went back recently to get another certification, I was introduced to online learning and noticed the differences in me as a student. I was less engaged because I didn't have that human contact from the professor and classmates from meeting in person and I also felt like there was a LOT more on me to study and learn on my own. There was this kind of disconnect, like I really wasn't taking a college course, just reading stuff online and replying to it via Blackboard.
Things I did to help me get back in that "college state of mind" were to specifically set aside certain times each week to do my classwork and I booked it like an appointment in my calender. Since you work less than full time, you might be able to manage 2-3 smaller periods of time each week where you sit down, turn off the phone and "go to school".
Also, if you think you are having trouble, communicate with your professor and ask questions, tell them just what you are having trouble with and seek help. As a student, and a teacher, I've had the best experiences when there is that open communication.
Good luck to you!
posted by NoraCharles at 7:18 AM on July 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Things I did to help me get back in that "college state of mind" were to specifically set aside certain times each week to do my classwork and I booked it like an appointment in my calender. Since you work less than full time, you might be able to manage 2-3 smaller periods of time each week where you sit down, turn off the phone and "go to school".
Also, if you think you are having trouble, communicate with your professor and ask questions, tell them just what you are having trouble with and seek help. As a student, and a teacher, I've had the best experiences when there is that open communication.
Good luck to you!
posted by NoraCharles at 7:18 AM on July 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Nothing that setting up reminders for assignments, and scheduling time for homework, are key to staying on track when you're taking online courses. If you can connect with some of your classmates, either in person or via email, even better. It makes the class feel more tangible, for me at least.
Also, on your "feeling sort of dumb" issue. I totally hear you! One thing I suggest is to reframe these feelings. If this class is hard for you, think about how much you'll learn from it by the end of the semester. Those students that aren't challenged by the class likely won't learn as much. Feeling dumb is part of the learning process and is the first step to mastering a new skillset or learning a new theory.
Good luck!
posted by schroedingersgirl at 9:44 AM on July 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Also, on your "feeling sort of dumb" issue. I totally hear you! One thing I suggest is to reframe these feelings. If this class is hard for you, think about how much you'll learn from it by the end of the semester. Those students that aren't challenged by the class likely won't learn as much. Feeling dumb is part of the learning process and is the first step to mastering a new skillset or learning a new theory.
Good luck!
posted by schroedingersgirl at 9:44 AM on July 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I like the idea of booking study time as an appointment on your calendar, and maybe try going to a library for your designated study time?
I think a major challenge with online classes is similar to any flexible work schedule - every waking minute can be a working minute, so in theory the work can always be done later, while the stress of needing to complete work is present throughout the entire day. It can become an unhealthy work/life balance, basically.
Creating a study schedule and going to a different location to study might help develop more effective boundaries between your schoolwork and the rest of your life, so you can put off the distractions until you are out of the library and enjoy the time that is not devoted to work or school.
posted by Little Dawn at 1:09 PM on July 3, 2015
I think a major challenge with online classes is similar to any flexible work schedule - every waking minute can be a working minute, so in theory the work can always be done later, while the stress of needing to complete work is present throughout the entire day. It can become an unhealthy work/life balance, basically.
Creating a study schedule and going to a different location to study might help develop more effective boundaries between your schoolwork and the rest of your life, so you can put off the distractions until you are out of the library and enjoy the time that is not devoted to work or school.
posted by Little Dawn at 1:09 PM on July 3, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'm a graduate student with a mix of online classes and internships and something is due literally all the time.
posted by Aranquis at 7:15 AM on July 3, 2015 [2 favorites]