How to Adjust to Online Learning

In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19, many universities have moved courses online for the foreseeable future. As a result, students who are used to traditional in-person class settings will need to adapt in order to continue their degree programs. Here are three tips for adjusting to online learning.

Be Patient

If you're new to online learning and confused about what's expected of you, one of the most important things to remember is that you're not alone. Like you, many instructors and students are figuring things out one step at a time, so be patient and don't let yourself be discouraged by a few bumps in the road. Fortunately, online learning environments make it easy to reach out for help from your instructor or classmates, so don't be afraid to contact someone when you're confused or need clarification.

Optimize Your Schedule and Workspace

By giving students more freedom over when and how they study and complete classwork, online learning is a popular choice for students who work full time or who have busy family and personal lives. More freedom requires more responsibility, however, so it's important to closely manage your time and build a schedule that enables you to study and complete your academic work on time. You should also find ways to optimize your workspace so that you have a reliably calm, quiet, and distraction-free environment to study in.

Stay Active and Engaged

Online classrooms depend on regular, active participation from students and instructors. Instead of taking a more passive role in your online classes, try to stay active and engaged by checking in often and participating in discussions. The more you participate and engage, the better you'll understand the material, which will help you complete the course successfully.

Online learning is likely to remain a popular option. Tulane School of Professional Advancement offers online and combined online and on-campus options for many of our bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs. Over 190 SoPA faculty members are trained in effective online instruction, and the majority of our online courses are asynchronous, meaning students can access lectures and course materials at any time. Start your application for one of our programs today.