For a good majority of students, english and writing majors excluded, writing is a chore. When it comes to being an online student writing can turn into a full-time job, especially considering it’s the main way virtual students communicate. The reason most folks dislike writing is because they think they aren’t good at it, not because they can’t do it.

One way to find your place with writing is by discovering your voice. We all have a unique perspective on our interests, and how we relay information is equally as important as how we retain it. Not everyone writes for pleasure, or for academic sport. No matter where you stand you’ll need to explore where you stand as a writer, if anything to improve your results with classwork.

[related: Prepare for the Online Experience With Online Tools]

There are plenty of way to work your writing muscle. Below are just a few you can use to help improve.

1. Free Association Writing — Free writing is a timed activity that is writing as much aspossible in a two- to 10-minute time span. You are encouraged to write down anything. You may get a few good ideas or you may get junk, but at least you are writing and letting your ideas come out freely without anyone judging them as right or wrong. Free writing is used frequently by writers who have a “block” where they cannot think of what to write. Here is where you’ll discover your active voice. Is it commanding, or does it sound more mechanical like you’d find in technical writing. Once you know your voice you can play to your strengths by playing with the formatting of your papers and how you layout information.
2. The Art of Reading — Good readers make good writers. Take time to read a good book, whether it’s one your teacher suggests, a book version of your favorite film, or a book written by your favorite author. Reading enables you to develop your vocabulary and helps to strengthen your stylistic ability to write creatively.
    
3. Journal Writing — Journaling is a form of self-expression that millions take advantage of on a daily basis. Journaling is easy to do and creative as well. What you write could explain anything from what you did that day, to how those events made you feel, to ideas for your future, to venting frustrations about life. In some cases, people rely on journals to help them remember what they did a week ago and even to remember what the state of the world was at the time of the writing. It’s up to you whether you share the ideas or feelings you write down with anyone else.

If you’re still unsure of your abilities seek help from a tutor, or email your instructor. They’ll be able to evaluate what your weaknesses are and ways to improve them.

By J. Mason

Image courtesy of the blog "Low Yo-Yo Stuff"

What do you look at first on a webpage? Colors, shapes, bullet points, BOLD LETTERS? Here’s the psychology behind what draws your eyes towards the more obnoxious thing on the page, it’s yelling out at you. Utilize this (an annoyance to some) to retain more information for class.

[Mind Map Yourself for Creative Inspiration in Class]

Say you’re taking notes online for class from your textbook. If you’re used to typing in Arial or Times New Roman then try switching to a more eye catching font. If the font you choose may be too jarring for the entire page then consider adjusting the font style on certain keywords. That way when you review the information later the more important things stay in your mind for a later application.

[related: Sing for Better Memory with Mnemonic Devices]

Every student is unique in their own way. Whether they chose the path of asynchronous learning (online), or synchronous (brick and mortar), they possess a set of traits that led them to their education platform choice.

An online education is asynchronous, which means that it is student-centered and uses online learning to share information outside the constraints of time and place among a network of people. So, it would seem to be an online learner you would need to be a self-starter, and unreliant on the more heavily focused peer engagement you would expect on a campus in a physical classroom. While you won’t be talking to your professors and classmates face-to-face everyday, you’ll still have the opportunity as an online student to network and chat with classmates through social media and the classroom.

[5 Questions to Ask if You're Ready to Go Virtual]

So, what traits would help identify an online learner? Several different words come to mind, but there about 5 that standout everytime you think of the online education landscape:

1. Self-motivated
2. Curious
3. Critical thinker
4. Time keeper
5. Independent

[Online University - Is it Right for Me?]

Instructors are present throughout the online experience, but you have to be motivated by yourself to be successful as an online student. You need to be curious about your subjects, and being a good critical thinker is especially important for your discussion posts. Time management is key in getting assignments completed on time, and not letting yourself get distracted by your freedom of surroundings. Being independent as an online learner means you have drive. The fact that you’re not getting dressed for class every day, and still “attending” and submitting assignments on time says a lot. There’s nobody there to scold you in person for handing something in late, you’ll need to parent yourself!

[Learn more about online degrees and certificates at American Public University. ]

If you’re interested in how you can become an online learner, do your research, check out the accreditation on a school before you get too serious, and check out the school’s social media environment and atmostphere.

Happy learning!

By J. Mason

For those with countless hours of sun this time of year the idea of moving the clocks ahead an hour is a downer. The hour you lose is while you’re sleeping, unless you’re up finishing classwork. For those up north the hour less means an hour more of sunlight! Regardless of your geographic location, as an online student you shoudn’t have to blame the hour loss for your assignments getting turned in late.

[Setting Up Great (and Successful) Study Habits]

Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead early, or before you go to bed Saturday night. Get yourself mentally prepared for the time change. Use your time wisely working on assignments. While it may not feel like a big loss, you’ll definitely feel the pressure if you put off your discussion post to 11pm that night.

By J. Mason

Illustration by Mark A. Hicks

For the student who has too much on their mind, this post is dedicated to you…

In any given week think about the amount of lists you produce of things that need to get done. What’s the issue here? Unless it’s built around a schedule that works for you, you’ll forget about the lists and you won’t get these things done. I’ve emphasized on here before about limiting distractions. While this is an ideal concept, it’s nearly impossible for those with family and work obligations. I sugggest giving into the distraction from time to time to be more constructive.

For those looking for inspiration try 43 Folders. It’s a snarky site with great information to really get your creative mind in gear. Say you’re having issues coming up with talking points. Type into their search something on that topic and check out the results. If the perfect answer doesn’t come up, don’t be shy about posting your own question. Think of it as an intellectual Yahoo! Answers. It’s another way to gain perspective, and a different viewpoint.

By: J. Mason

The online student needs to make sure they have 5 areas of interest down in order to survive school. They need to know time management, how to take notes, refine their writing skills, how to conduct research effectively, and effective study habits. Here are 5 app types to facilitate the online learning process:

• Time management/Organization
  • GoTasks
  • Homework Tracker w/Reminders
• Note taking
  • Evernote
  • iAnnotate PDF
• Writing
  • Write 2 Lite
  • Papers
• Researching
  • Article Search by Foreminds
• Studying/Flashcards
  • Flashcards Pro
  • iCram Master

Check out my app picks in the podcast below!
By J. Mason
5 App Types for the Online Student by APUS

A picture says a thousand words right? Well, if you were to take a picture of your classes, or online experience, how would that look? A screenshot of your online classroom may not be the most appealing thing to show friends and family, unlike a cute baby or cat picture. What you can do is “snap” a picture by detailing what you’ve learned, and where your education is taking you.

Being an online learner already makes you stand out. At American Public University our students consider themselves to be a community of learners. Along with the help of the faculty and staff, we help encourage peer to peer interaction virtually. If you haven’t experienced this for yourself yet, your next steps should be to reach out to your classmates.

Describing your degree is great to a potential employer, but the experience is what helps create lasting skills and habits. Another approach would be to pretend you’re writing an email to a distant relative about your online experience. How would you detail your weekly routine? If you were asked about the workload and the types of assignments you get, what couple words would really encapsulate that? What can this experience be compared to, and what besides industry knowledge are you taking away from it? These may have been some of the questions you asked yourself while researching schools, but it’s always good to revisit while in the program. It helps to create a new vigor for program you’re working on.

[Learn more about online degrees with American Public  University.]

The snapshot of your education is all about portrayal. It’s how you see your online education, and how you optimize it to benefit your learning needs to the highest measure. If you could take a picture, what would your online experience look like?

By: J. Mason

What’s your preference for absorbing information? Are you tactile (touch), auditory (sound), or visual (sight)? You may think that you’re limited to only sound and sight as an online student, but you can easily modify your home learning environment to fit your needs. Once you’ve identified where your mind is at, you’ll be able to adopt new learning methods that will compliment your experience in the classroom.

Define your learning style.

1. Visual learners learn best through their eyes.
2. Auditory learners obtain information best through their ears.
3. Tactile leaners absorb knowledge through their hands.

Take the time to observe yourself, and how you relay information in a subject. If you find yourself doing a search for videos and podcasts then you should focus on tuning your skills in the auditory direction. Here’s a great post on how to “Maximize Your Learning Style in School and Life.” It’s has great suggestions and exercises for fine-tuning your learning skills.

By: J. Mason

Sometimes it’s not enough to have our apps, and other computer accessories closed down while we write. The more “noise” you have on your screen, the less likely you’ll feel compelled to finish the piece you’re writing on. If your preference is to create your weekly discussion post for class within the classroom editor, then consider trying a different approach. OmmWriter is the zen garden specifically created to soothe and coax you into the writing process.

[Check out more tools for online learners.]

This program takes your mind to the spa. It blacks out everything that’s irrelevant to the topic at hand, and will playing soothing background music. Just be sure to bring your headphones along if you’re writing at a public place. It could be just enough to shake up the humdrum routine of producing weekly assignments.

Follow us on Twitter.

By: J. Mason

There’s a reason art is still included in class discussions for children in elementary school, it’s fundamental and enhances the basic building blocks of learning.

Art helps with problem solving, creativity,cause and effect, and opens the lines for communication. There’s a lot more that lies behind the paint on the canvas, and a lot of higher level humanities courses will help you dive into the interpretation for great works of art and their relevance to current events and society.  With that said, steal yourself away from your laptop for a few hours this weekend and visit a local museum or art gallery.

Look through your local newspaper, or use a museum finder website to find a great spot nearby. If art isn’t your thing, stop by a science, or history museum. There’s always something to be learned, and it doesn’t have to be dull. Take your family or a friend along with you. This way you have someone to chat about the pieces with.

While you’re out, enjoy it. If you’re late on a paper, or stressed about work, it tends to linger and follow you everywhere you go. Leave stress and anxiety behind, and keep your mind open as you explore your artistic side this weekend.

P.S. If your local forecast is calling for snow this weekend and you can’t venture out, visit the Smithsonian’s Collections for an online tour from the warmth of your own home.

By: J. Mason