Just like typical college professors, online college professors are more than happy to help students who feel confused or are struggling with their schoolwork.  That’s their job!  Instructors are here to help you learn and have an optimal educational experience.  Online is just the format, so don’t let it lead you to believing you cannot interact with your instructor. 

Most professors, however, won’t go out of their way to ask you if you need help.  They are busy grading papers and preparing their lesson plans.  So, don’t be afraid to speak up, and do so as soon as you start feeling unsure about a concept or lesson. If you wait until the end of the semester, you won’t be prepared for tests and the confusion will only snowball until it’s unmanageable.  Additionally, a little virtual “face time” with your professor may go a long way in your understanding of the class.

Source: Best Online Universities

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In this special podcast I reveal my top 5 blog posts from OLT. I hand picked these based on their relevance, reference, and relation to the great mission of learning online. Take a listen to hear my take on my favorites, listed below.

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J. Mason’s Top 5:

1. Staying Engaged; Both Socially and Scholastically.
2. How to Find Scholarly Research Online.
3. Utilizing Psychological Techniques for Creativity in Classes.
4. How Online Students Can Beat Burnout.
5. What to Expect Your First Week of School Online.

Want to hear why these posts are bookmark worthy? Listen to my podcast and my rundown on the top 5.

- By J. Mason

Everyone falls into the trap of being overwhelmed, overworked, and just plain tired of repetitive tasks. When this feeling settles in it’s hard to keep your concentration in check…something highly valued when it comes to absorbing information for class.

Or when you have a discussion post due you might feel it best to throw out the first thing that comes to mind so you can be done with it, right? Don’t think this way, it may be the boredom or sedentary getting the best of you. William Klemm, D.V.M., Ph.D. of Psychology Today shares 12 other ways to improve concentration. One I find most important is fighting boredom.

Dr. Klemm says one of the best ways to fight boredom is by making the target into a competition or game of sorts. By not letting the repetitive task seem like something you do all the time can enliven it for you. Try timing yourself, or taking a different approach to starting the task. Whichever way you approach it, don’t do it the same way everyday.

[Related post: Create Your Own "Success Kit" for Your Online Classes.]

College courses require hours and hours of weekly reading. Even the best students can fall behind. Sometimes, it may seem impossible to catch up if work or family responsibilities have temporarily taken over your study time.

[Not sure what the online environment looks like? Sign up for a virtual open house to get a better idea.]

There is one option for getting back on track: speed-reading. Speed-reading is more than just reading fast. It’s a technique for scanning and pulling out main themes. Speed-reading can also be a good tool for test preparation.

It’s important to read smart as well as fast. Otherwise, you’ll comprehend and remember little — and waste valuable time. Keep in mind that speed-reading can’t help if reading is difficult for you. Talk to an advisor or trusted professor if comprehension is an issue.

Now, if you’re ready to give speed reading a try, here are 8 ½ quick tips – any more would take too long — to incorporate speed reading into your study plan.

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