As those in the south can tell from the layer of yellow dust coating every outside surface, spring is in the air. And that means summer is just around the corner. For traditional college students summer means a break from late-night studying, a time to travel or maybe make some extra money at a part-time (or even full-time) job. However, there are many benefits for those who choose to continue taking classes during the summer; and with online classes you may even be able to have a little fun while you’re at it!

Here are just a few reasons you should consider taking an online class this summer.

1. You can shorten your time to graduation.
   Why restrict yourself to taking the traditional 10 classes per year (5 in the Fall and 5 in the Spring)? Taking 1-2 extra classes each summer, along with a regular full load in the Fall and Spring semesters, means you can meet your graduation requirements sooner - sometimes by a full semester.
   
2. You can take fewer classes in Fall and Spring semesters, and still graduate on time.
   If a full 15-hour course load is a lot for you to juggle, then stretching those 10 classes per year across three semesters instead of two may help. When I was in college, I always took 4 classes in the Fall and Spring semesters, and then two in the summer. I didn’t fall behind in my degree program, but I did lessen my load so I could devote more time to each individual course (and be far less stressed than some of my classmates).
   
3. You can bring up your GPA.
   I don’t know the statistics on this, but I know for me, having less classes to focus on usually meant I could get a better grade in the class. If you need to bring your GPA up, consider taking just one class this summer. You’ll be able to spend all of your study time on that one subject and hopefully pull off the “A” that you need to give you a little boost before classes start back in the Fall.
   
4. Keep your mind in “school-mode.”
   Anyone who is or ever has been a full-time college student knows that being in school is a state of mind. You get yourself into the mindset of going to class, working on projects, and studying for exams. If you get yourself out of that routine for a long period of time, it can be difficult to readjust. Taking just one class in the summer can help to keep you on top of your academic game year-round.
   
5. You can bring it to the beach!
   Trust me - I love the beach just as much as anyone else. You should definitely enjoy the summer and treat yourself to some time by the ocean or the neighborhood pool. The great thing about online classes is that YOU CAN STILL DO THAT! All you need is a laptop and a wi-fi connection, and you can stay caught up in your summer class wherever you are.

So there you have it; with online classes you can get ahead in school, stay on track to graduate, increase your GPA, or simply keep your mental momentum going without sacrificing your summer. So why not give it a try? The eCore summer schedule is now available on our website. Students at University System of Georgia eCore institutions can register for these courses right in their campus registration system - no transient process required.

Online Learning Student Success Tips

12:28 PM

It’s a simple concept - students who are more “involved” in a class are more likely to successfully complete the course. In a traditional face-to-face classroom, opportunities for engagement are obvious - ask and answer questions in class, participate in group discussions, or it may be as simple as consistently showing up to class. In an online class, however, students sometimes find it difficult to feel like an active participant in the course. At eCore, we have worked tirelessly to figure out how we can help students become engaged in their online courses across both distance (online learning) and across time (asynchronous online learning). We are continually working to strengthen and connect the eCore student services across student engagement.

As a student, you may wonder what you can do to stay engaged as an online learner and increase the likelihood of passing the course with the grade you want. Here are some tips that will help you not only in eCore and eMajor online courses, but in online courses in general.

1. Login to class!
This may sound like a no-brainer but when you don’t have to actually “go” to class at a specific time, it’s easy to put it off. You should log into class on DAY ONE and make a commitment to login and work every day or almost every day. Think about logging in as “showing up” for your online class. To stay engaged, you need to “show up” to class fairly often.
2. Familiarize yourself with the course
Log in to the course on DAY ONE and take a tour to familiarize yourself with the layout and structure. There are a few things you may even be able to review before the first day of class. You should look for:

• Syllabus & Instructor’s Contact Info: Be sure to review the course syllabus; it is your contract with the professor. Here, you will find your grade point accumulation table, your instructor’s name, and external contact information. For eCore and eMajor classes, you will find it in the top left of the course syllabus.

• Course Calendar: Important dates and deadlines critically influence your performance in college. Review the course calendar and make note of important due dates. Also note important dates like the drop/add window, texting windows, and midpoint withdrawal deadlines. Most institutions provide an academic calendar to help you keep all those vital dates and deadlines straight. eCore and eMajor follow the common statewide Calendar, which can be found here.
  
• Textbook Requirements: If a textbook is required, you should plan to obtain the book prior to the first day of class. Having the book ahead of time means you will have more time to review the material and therefore participate in discussions. Some online courses may not have a textbook requirement. eCore, for example, offers free open educational resources in over half of their courses. In this case, the materials are linked inside the course and are often available for review prior to the first day of class inside the eConnection tutorial course. For eCore courses that do require a textbook purchase, some are available in eBook formats. Purchasing an eBook will allow you to receive the materials quicker. However, if a student does need to purchase a physical textbook, one can be purchased in any manner - new, used, electronic, or even rental.
  
• Testing Requirements: Most online classes have some sort of testing requirement. It is important to determine the requirements at the beginning of the course so you can be adequately prepared. In eCore courses, at least one proctored exam is required (but not more than two) in each course. Typically, the midterm and/or final exam for the course are proctored. Proctored exams are taken in the presence of an approved test proctor and are usually held at a testing center. Visit the eCore website for more information about proctored exam requirements.
  

3. Manage your time wisely
The number one reason students withdraw from an eCore class is time management. Before you enroll in an online course, it is important to consider if you have enough time to devote to your studies for the duration of the class. Be sure to estimate correctly for accelerated terms like eCore’s 8-week sessions. In accelerated sessions, the same amount of material is covered in half the time, so it requires double the amount of study effort.

The first few days of a course are typically designated as a drop window. For eCore, this is a five day period where you can drop the course without receiving a “W”. You can save yourself a lot of worry by thoroughly exploring the class during that five day period and determining whether or not  you can keep up with the course assignments. If the time commitment is too challenging for you, consider dropping the class before the drop window closes.
4. Communicate
Once you determine you have the time to commit to the class, you have the book, and you have your syllabus - it’s time to participate! Closely monitor all forms of communication in the class - calendar, news items, discussion posts from the professor, and your email inside the Learning Management System. For eCore/eMajor courses, this is your GoVIEW email.

• Discussion Board: The discussion board is the conversation flow of the class. Read and respond consistently and on time. You can use this forum to make a connection with your professor and your classmates. Try to be the first or second poster in your class on a topic!
  
• Email: Check both your campus email and your GoVIEW email (for eCore/eMajor students) daily. eCore can only officially notify students at campus email addresses. Be sure to watch for eCore announcements throughout the semester. eCore emails are sent weekly to remind you of important deadlines, provide student success tips, and keep you informed of general information.
  
• Diversity of Online Learning: Embrace the diversity of your class. In eCore classes, you will have students from up to 25 different USG institutions; your professor is also from an institution within the University System of Georgia but not necessarily from your institution. Students of all ages are in eCore classes. There is a lot to be learned from communicating with your fellow classmates!
  

5. Take advantage of your resources
If you fall behind on your discussion postings or your assignments - it’s easy to feel like you are all on your own in an online class. But remember, YOU ARE NOT! You have plenty of resources available to help you be successful in the course, you just have to take advantage of them. Explore what types of tutoring and library services are available to you BEFORE you need them. Then, if you get in a bind and need some help, you will know where to go. In eCore classes, you have access to your home institution’s resources in addition to eCore specific resources such as:

• A student success team member who is assigned to your class. They’re there to help you locate the resources that are available to you, and to offer encouragement along the way.
• Embedded librarians in all eCore classes except Spanish, Math, and Science classes. (What does an embedded librarian do, you ask? Meet one of them here!)
• Embedded tutors in all eCore math and science classes.
• Access to Smarthinking Online Tutoring and online writing labs in all classes.
• GALILEO Library Services, which provides access to multiple information resources including secured access to licensed products, is available i all classes.
  

Engagement is a big part of online learning, and it directly impacts the student. When we do it right (faculty, student and staff), the student has increased opportunities for a great learning experience and a successful outcome. We want our students to succeed. At eCore, we are continuously improving our efforts to engage students in the class early on, but there is still more to be done. That’s why we want to hear from our students! Be sure to complete the course evaluation that is sent at the end of your class. It’s how we make changes to improve the success of students in our classes. Tell us - what would make you feel more engaged in your online class?

Contributors: 
Julili Fowler, eCampus Associate Director of Student Engagement and Analytics
Katie Shoemake: eCampus Educational Program Specialist
Nikki Henderson: eCampus Educational Program Specialist

Online Learning Resources Student Success Tips

8:25 AM

William Penn once said, "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst." 

Browse through any "How to Succeed at College" article or book and the one skill that is undoubtedly listed as critical would be time management. What is time management and how can you put it to work for you? Time management is the ability to plan and control how you spend the hours of your day. Simply put, it's how you prioritize the tasks needed to meet goals. In this case, how do you take online courses, work, and have a life?

One indispensable tool for managing your time is an organizer. Sure, it's easy to rely on the handy smart-phone and the endless options of calendar and task-related apps, but the good old fashioned paper organizer can be a life-saver for busy non-traditional college students when trying to visually schedule out and prioritize their day.

There are two types of organizers. Used in tandem, they give what might look like an impossibly full week perspective. And once you write all of your tasks/goals down on paper, (whether big or small), you can let the information you've been trying to organize in your head go and enjoy less stress. You'll refer to the organizer often so keep it in a handy p
lace.

Time-Oriented Organizer vs. Task Oriented Organizer

A Task Oriented Organizer would be a to-do list. Your list might look something like this:

• Get up
• get dressed
• eat breakfast
• brush teeth

A Time Oriented Organizer looks like this:

• 6 a.m.--get up
• 6:15 a.m.--shower
• 6:30 --get dressed

Start by listing all the things you do in a week; include everything: school, homework, shopping, eating, sleeping, personal time, family time, etc. The planner is for everything, not just college. Once you have all of your responsibilities/tasks listed, you can better organize them and the time it takes to do them. Next to each activity, write down how much time you think it will take you to complete it. It's better to allow yourself more time than too little to perform a task. Give each task a priority rating--1,  2, 3, or A, B, C, for critical, important, optional. Different people will assign tasks a different priority; for example, exercise is critical to some while it is only optional for others. Go here for more on that topic!

The internet is full of templates for time management. Microsoft Office, for example, has templates within the software and available for download here. Alternatively, office supply stores have a plethora of scheduling tools. Once you've decided on the actual planner, it's time to plug in each and every task in their proper slots.

Plug in your A tasks first, then your B tasks, and if there is room on your schedule, your C tasks. Once you've got a working schedule, you'll be able to see where you need adjustments as you work through the week. It's not written in stone, but don't get in the habit of delaying or changing your plan too much, otherwise, you'll be back at the same place--feeling like you have too much to do and not enough time to do it.

Final thoughts: don't load up your schedule to overflowing and be realistic about the time it will take to get each item done. Marathon study sessions are rarely productive so when you see a big block of time, don't jam all your studying and course work into that one time slot. Think creatively about when you can review notes, check email, respond to texts and so on, but avoid too much multitasking.

­­

Student Success Tips

12:36 PM

Studies have shown that students who regularly participate in exercise have better grades than those who do not; is there a causal connection between the exercise and better grades or is it discipline that students display across both studying and exercising that is the determinant?

The evidence showing that regular exercise should be a component of our lives is compelling and is being expanded upon with regard to the physical and mental benefits; it's so good for you! So how can it help you be a better student?

Feeling down?  The demands of school can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when combined with work schedules, home life…the list of stressors goes on. Exercise has been shown to positively affect mood, lowering stress and anxiety. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that are believed to leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. Think about using exercise as a time to decompress, or alternatively, an opportunity to reconnect with family members. Remember, exercise can be as simple as taking a walk, playing Frisbee, even housecleaning…yes, it counts, but really?

Too tired to study? Regular physical activity can not only improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance, but it also helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores, and that includes studying. Regular exercise can also help you sleep better, which in turn helps renew your energy.

Get laser focus. In order to study effectively, a certain level of focus on the material is required; even moderate exercise can help. Physical activity is key to improving mental alertness and improving the capacity to concentrate. A short burst of vigorous exercise, even as short as 10 minutes, is said to improve the ability to focus and stay alert. Increased blood flow to the brain is thought to be the reason behind improved alertness.

Keep your chin up! Regular exercise helps boost self-esteem. It’s not only the physical changes (body composition) that help self-esteem improve, but the fact that you’re making a commitment to your own well-being is empowering. Further, a boost in self-esteem may help you participate more fully in class as well as in social situations.

What are some easy solutions to getting much needed exercise? Even if you don’t have the opportunity to get to the gym, you can add activity to your daily routine:

•  Park farther away from the entrance to your job, the grocery, or to classes while you are on campus.
•  If sitting at the computer, stand up and stretch, do jumping jacks, push-ups, or some other form of calisthenics. Encourage others to participate.
• Take the stairs!
• Breathe! Read the blog entry on breathing at http://usgemajor.blogspot.com/2015/08/stressed-about-school.html

Student Success Tips

12:58 PM

Online institutions of higher education tend to offer multiple class formats in order to fit the needs of their non-traditional student base. Some schools may require you to choose one format over the other, while others allow you to mix long and shorter classes at once.

eCore courses are offered in Full Session formats, consisting of 16 weeks of instruction, as well as two 8 week Short Sessions in both the Fall and Spring Semesters. eCore students are able to register for any combination of Full Session, Short Session I, and Short Session II courses. While mixing class schedules can be convenient, it can also be a recipe for disaster if you’re not prepared.  Unprepared students who register for Short Session II courses have a significantly higher chance of getting behind and performing poorly in the course.

Here are 5 signs that an eCore Short Session II course may NOT be for you.

1. You have never taken an accelerated course before.

Accelerated classes are just that – accelerated. With just eight weeks of instruction, it can seem like it’s time for your midterm just a few weeks after the start of class. With less time in the session, it can be very easy to get behind and even harder to catch up if you do. The stresses of starting an accelerated course in the middle of the semester can make it difficult for some students to maintain the pace required to be successful in a Short Session course. If you have never taken an accelerated course before, it is a good idea to “get your feet wet” with a Short Session I course, which starts at the same time as regular Full Session courses.

2. You have never taken an online course before.

Some students jump right into online learning with ease, while others take more time to become familiar with their new environment. You know yourself and your comfort level with technology. If you are completely new to online learning and think you may need more time to get the hang of it, a full session course may be a better option for you, as there is more time within the term to familiarize yourself with your new virtual classroom.

3.   You have scheduled your classes for mostly Full Session or semester-long courses.

Students who perform best in Short Session II courses are on a schedule where they take ONLY Short Session courses. These students are already in the mindset of accelerated classes, and have completed their Short Session I courses prior to starting their Short Session II courses. If you are taking mostly Full Session courses, it can be hard to add an additional class in the middle of the semester when that “beginning of class” energy may have subsided.

4.   You are attempting to add the class “last minute” in the middle of the regular semester.

You may find yourself at the beginning of the semester, and the class you need is already full. In that case, you may have no other option than to register for the course in Short Session II. In this scenario, you have registered for the class at the beginning of the semester and have a whole 8 weeks to make sure you are prepared for the start of class, which is great. However, if you are considering adding a Short Session II course during the short registration window that opens up in the middle of the semester, consider the time you’ll need to get prepared for the course which includes acquiring any necessary textbooks and materials. Remember, it’s easy to get behind in accelerated courses, so if you’re not able to start the class prepared it may be best to wait and take the class at a later time.

5.   You do not have strong time management skills.

This is true for any online course, but especially for those on an accelerated schedule. Taking a class online means you do not have a “time” to be in class. To stay on track, it is important that you manage your time well, and assign specific blocks of your day to work on assignments for the class. Failing to do so may leave you in a situation where you are several weeks into the class and struggling to make up coursework before the midterm. You know yourself – if you’re not good with time management but need an online class to fit your schedule, then a Full Session course is your best bet. The full 16 week schedule gives you much more time to “catch up” if you happen to get off schedule and fall behind.

Despite your best efforts to plan ahead, there are some instances when a student finds him or herself with no other option but to add a Short Session II course, sometimes at the last minute. In that case, there are things you can do to improve your chances of success in the course. Be sure to get your book (if one is required) before class begins. You can also login before the first day of class to access the eCore Connection, a tutorial class where you can practice making discussion postings and familiarize yourself with the virtual “classroom”. You should login to the course on the first day of class, pay special attention to due dates in the course, and make a plan to stay on schedule. A little bit of pre-planning at the beginning of the course can go a long way to helping you get to that “A”!

 

For questions about registering for eCore courses at your institution, please visit the eCore Institutions page to contact the eCore liaison at your school. Your academic advisor is also a great resource for questions about what classes are right for you.

Student Success Tips

1:29 PM

Stressed about school? Relax!
As the time to begin classes draws nearer, many people find that their stress and anxiety levels ramp up in tandem. Let's look at some relaxation techniques to help you use less energy combating stress, thereby directing it onto tasks like school, work and family life.

Deep Breathing
As stress increases, we clench our jaws, and our shoulders ride up toward our ears — forcing our breathing to become shallow. Shallow breathing, or chest breathing, affects our productivity significantly because it prevents the brain from getting the amount of freshly oxygenated blood it needs to function optimally. Breathing fully from the diaphragm, or deep breathing, allows more oxygen in and more carbon dioxide to exit. Deep breathing counteracts the fight or flight, or stress, response so that we are no longer reacting defensively to perceived threats to our well being, eliciting the "Relaxation Response." Coined by Dr. Herbert Benson, the Relaxation Response is the body being in a state of deep relaxation which lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and relaxes muscles.

The technique for deep breathing is relatively simple:

1. Place your hand lightly on your belly, whether lying down or sitting.
2. Breathe in to the count of five, ensuring that your hand rises and falls with the inhalation/exhalation.
3. Exhale to the count of five; most people need to deep breathe for twenty to thirty minutes for the full Relaxation Response to occur, but after even a few minutes of deep breathing, you will more than likely feel your shoulders start to relax — a positive step forward.

Muscle Relaxation
The best way to get your muscles to relax is to tense them. Sounds counter intuitive, but by focusing on tensing one muscle at a time and then focusing on relaxing it, you become more aware of where you are holding stress. For instance, if you raise and tighten your shoulders and then focus on relaxing them away from your ears, you become more aware that your shoulders were tense and tight. Doing a "body check" periodically through the day, you'll begin to see where you typically hold stress and you can be mindful of relaxing that area.

Body Check:

1. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
2. Starting at the feet, work your way up the body tensing and then relaxing feet, calves, thighs, stomach, arms, hands, and shoulders. Breathe deeply using the technique described above and as you exhale, relax each muscle group; spend 3-5 breaths on each area.

Exercise

We all have different ways of coping with stress; from talking with friends to eating, and from sleeping too much to grinding our teeth — coping strategies are as varied as the stressors with which we each deal. And while you may feel tired and depleted and think you couldn't bear to do cardio or lift weights, exercise is one of the best ways to deal with stress. Stress increases our sensitivity to pain through pro-inflammatory cytokines; and our brains process emotional "injuries" in the same way they process physical injuries. Exercise has been shown to reverse the production of systemic inflammation through an increase in endorphins — our bodies' own pain relievers that act much like morphine in reducing our perception of pain.

New research has also shown that exercise is linked to an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which promotes brain nerve-cell health. Better nerve cells equate to increases in learning and memory and helps push the mood reset button. Exercise encourages better sleep, more energy and the release of sex hormones in the brain. Finally, exercise increases blood flow to the brain which encourages mental alertness and concentration. So get up off that couch!

These three methods are by no means the only ways to prevent or reduce stress, but used together provide a powerful recipe to enhance your relaxation efforts. Try any or all of them as you prepare for this semester and let us know how they worked for you!

Adult Learners Student Success Tips

6:12 AM

Most of us area already pining for the days of the long holiday break to sleep late, gorge ourselves on sweet treats and cheese ball, spend hours in front of the television watching reruns of King of Queens or perhaps head to the movies.  No doubt, we are in need of rest and relaxation and enjoying time with our families.  It is important to clear your mind of algebraic equations, sociological theory, or the Georgia constitution, and fill your head with dancing sugar plums for a while!

I want to suggest that during the many days away from school and the computer that you keep yourself motivated so that you can return in January with tenacity and a fresh perspective. Here are a few tips to help you recharge over the break.

Keep reading.   Finding things you love to read over the break will keep your mind stimulated and your vocabulary sharp. (Please don’t rely on Facebook for ALL of your intellectual perusing J).  

Maintain “to-do” lists.  Staying on some kind of schedule and accomplishing tasks is important for a healthy outlook and keeps you from staying up all night and sleeping all day.   Jot down a few things to accomplish daily. Examples might include: cleaning out a closet, writing a letter, volunteering at a local agency for a couple of hours, washing your van, etc….

Stay active. There is something to be said for getting 30 minutes of exercise a day.  This can be a simple walk around your neighborhood, heading to the mall (without a pit stop at the food court), or light housework.  Exercise keeps your heart healthy and your mind rejuvenated.  It sure doesn’t hurt to help prevent those notorious holiday pounds either! 

Eat (at least) one healthy item a day: If you love to eat, like I do, it is too tough to steer clear of the holiday sugar cookies, Aunt Betty’s meatballs, or the homemade bacon-wrapped scallops.  So try to balance out the gorging by keeping some healthy items on hand.  Have a bag of apples or fresh cut veggies in the fridge.  Sip on water all day- every day.  It will help keep you feeling fuller and also does wonders for your skin!

Keep school in mind.  Classes will resume before you know it. Be sure you get your supplies (books/ notebooks) before classes start. If you are an “online” student, review your email periodically.  Be aware of the first day “log in” procedures for eCore/eMajor and get yourself acclimated in class the first available date.

So, go ahead!  Enjoy the extended winter break!  May it be a time of restoration and peace.  If you follow a few of these outlined items it might just allow for you to have an easier transition into the spring semester.

Reference: http://personalexcellence.co/blog/healthy-living/

Contributed by: 

Karen Lingrell

Assistant Director of Collaborative Programs,
USG eCore and eMajor

Student Success Tips

9:02 AM

Meet the eCore Proctor Doctor

Fall is in the air... which means the kids are back in school, college football is king, and your favorite TV shows are returning with new episodes. For many working adults, Fall also means "back-to-school" for themselves in the form of online courses in pursuit of a college degree. 

Online college courses are typically delivered in accelerated formats, which are shorter than a traditional semester and allow the student to complete more courses within a year. For accelerated online courses, mid-term exams are right around the corner. Milestone exams like mid-terms are very important to your overall grade in a course, so it is crucial that you get organized early and be as prepared as you can. The eCore Proctor Doctor is here to help you do just that! Here are his 5 simple steps to help you learn to study like a pro!

1. Set a study goal and a study time.
   Determine what you need to study and prioritize the content that matters the most. Review course materials such as your syllabus and discussion postings to determine the most important topics in the course so far. With full time jobs and families to balance on top of school, it's also a good idea to set a "study time" for yourself every day leading up to the exam.
   
   
2. Aim to begin studying at least a week in advance.
   Studying a little bit over a period of time helps you retain the information more easily. The last thing you want is to pull an "all-nighter" and not get enough sleep before the big test! Plus, starting your studying earlier will allow you to determine areas that you need to spend more time on, and to seek help from your professor or any tutoring services that may be available to you.
3. Study with a buddy.
   Study groups can motivate you to get started. Even in an online course, you can use your discussion board to connect with others in your class. One of your classmates may live closer than you think, or you may even be able to utilize technologies such as Skype or Facetime to study with classmates who do not live near you.
   
   
4. Take snack breaks.
   While studying, be sure to take a five-minute break every hour to help your body produce more energy. Eating a healthy snack and stretching helps you relax and rejuvenate your mind and body.
   
   
5. Get a good night's sleep.
   Staying up too late the night before the exam might zap your energy and focus when you need it the most. If you've prepared ahead of time (see tip #2), you'll be able to do one last review of the material, set a decent bedtime for yourself, and wake up refreshed and ready to conquer that exam on test day!
   
   

Now that you've received your checkup from the eCore Proctor Doctor, you're ready to ace that test, right? Share your study tips with us in the comments below, or email us at: ecoresuccess@westga.edu. 

Happy Testing!

Reynard Van Tonder
eCore Testing Coordinator
rvantond@westga.edu 

For information about exams and testing for eCore students, visit ecore.usg.edu/exams. 

Student Success Tips

6:30 AM

Ace Your Online Class
with these 5 Tips for Success!

There are numerous benefits to taking an online college class – they’re flexible, convenient, and meet you where youare. Whether that means scheduling a study break during your vacation, staying on top of assignments while your child naps, or posting to the discussion board during your lunch break, online education appeals to many types of students. However, an online course does not equal an “Easy A.” Just as in a traditional learning environment, online learning offers its own challenges. However, students can be just as successful (or more-so!) in their online courses by staying on top of their game! Try these five success tips to help you “go for the A” in your online class.

1.   Log in daily. Students who log in every day have a greater chance of success in online courses. Online courses take discipline and drive, and logging in daily will ensure that you don’t miss important assignments and activities. Create a schedule and do not – I repeat, do not – procrastinate. Stay on top of your assignments or you can fall behind quickly!
2. Communicate with your professor. Chances are, your professor wants you to succeed in the class just as much as you do. They can be both your ally and  your advocate during this time. Remember – they are the expert. They expect (and welcome) questions and discussions.
3. Build your online community. Meet your classmates! Your peers can be a great source of assistance and comradery during your course. You’re in the same boat, so reach out and connect. Use tools like the discussion board to get to know your classmates early in the class.
4.  Find – and utilize – your resources. Does your online program offer tutoring? Does your course have a list of library resources for student use? If you don’t know, find out. Students can benefit extensively from academic resources which are available to them – if they are aware that they exist. Poke around, find, and then employ all the resources available to you.
5.  Familiarize yourself with the technology.Don’t waste the time you should be using on your coursework to decipher the technology or navigation in your online course. Do this ahead of time, before your course starts. Ask questions and participate in tutorials. Also – don’t forget your books! Order books ahead of time so you can review and get acquainted with the material before class starts.

Visit the links below to learn more about student success services available to eCore students.

Library Services
Tutoring Services
Writing Resources

Do you have your own success tips for online learning? We’d love to hear them! Shoot us an email at ecoresuccess@westga.edu or post them in the comments below.

Best of luck to you!

Brett Miles, USG eCore Student Success Manager

Student Success Tips

6:21 AM