Who do you contact the most at your school? Is it financial aid, your advisor, or someone through social media? Do you have their contact information at the ready, or do you always have to scour the website or your sent emails? It may be in your best interest to create an emergency contact list for the big departments at your school.

[related: Digitize Your To-Do List]

Make a virtual list and then print it out and post it new your work desk at home. Your virtual list you could possibly turn into a PDF, like you should with your syllabus! This way you can access this list from your smartphone, and other e-reader type devices. Include on your list the contact name of the person from each group you list, as well as a phone number and email address.

If you’re new to school then visit your schools “contact us” webpage. They’ll have all of the departments listed there for your reference.

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September 11, 2001 is a date that touches every American from coast to coast, recalling memories of a fateful day that placed thousands at the center of a terror attack. The personal stories that emerged from Ground Zero, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 bring to light the men and women who became heroes, and show how humanity will always overcome fear. 

Join American Public University’s live webcast that will commemorate the ten year anniversary of the terrifying attack that changed the world and brought heroes to the front-line. You will hear from three individuals who selflessly put their own lives at risk to rescue others: a survivor at the Pentagon, an NYPD first responder, and a New York City firefighter.

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Technology just keeps making it easier for you to stay organized, whether you like to or not. New out is this great app called “Due Today“. This app helps you stay on top of your projects and assignments for class and life. It also allows you to add tasks, sub-tasks as dependencies, and recurring tasks on a schedule that you set. You can also create start dates and end dates for specific projects.

For those without an android phone or tablet there’s several different options to digitizing your to-do list. Toodledo is a great application that helps you keep your customize your tasks and increases productivity. And for those students that need an extra nudge try Time Tracker, a to-do list with a timer.

There’s no reason to not be more organized, especially as an online student, and making your task list virtual helps you take it with you. And the best thing…you won’t lose it! Check out our extensive list of tools and resource websites for the online student.

Nothing says, I don’t care to write the very best, than a term paper, presentation, or resume that’s riddled with typos and grammatical errors. Look, typos happen. If only we had our own staff of editors and communication experts. Instead, we have spellcheck. So, until that happens, use these proofreading tips to elevate your game.

Avoid the Texting Effect

In a world where Tweets and texts emphasize convenience and abbreviations that would make Shakespeare blush, it’s important that you leave enough time to think about your subject material before writing discussion board posts and class papers. Remember, you’re communicating with professors and classmates, not your best friend. In short, slow down and give yourself the time to clearly articulate your thoughts. Don’t rush.

Use the Grammar Buddy System

Let’s assume you’ve spent a dozen hours researching and writing a paper on a complex topic. Sometimes you can get “too close” to the subject material to the point it’s mentally exhausting. This is where errors creep in and can ruin the quality of your work. One of the first things you should do is find a learning partner with opinions and editing abilities you can trust. Make a pact with your buddy that once you complete a draft, that he or she will read it with an eye for grammar and messaging. In return, you will provide the same free service to your grammar buddy. You’ll be surprised how well this works not only in spotting errors, but also in getting feedback that can actually improve your work.

Read it Backwards

A screenwriter with an Oscar on his mantel once mentioned this little editing trick. Take each page of your document and start at the end. Let your eyes skip backwards (right to left) across each line of the page and up to the beginning. It takes a little getting used to, because you’re not reading for messaging. You might be surprised how quickly your eyes jump to a typo, homonym or grammatical error.

Print It

There’s only so much artificial lighting from a computer monitor that your eyes can take before your mind turns to mush. Sometimes it is best to print off your work, get comfortable and edit on paper. Plus, you can easily write notes, which you can come back to later. Just don’t forget to recycle your used paper.

These tips are simple, effective, and they will save you time. More importantly, good proofreading skills can result in better grades and will translate into even more success when you’re communicating in the workplace.

By J. Thompson
Online Learning Tips Staff