You may be nervous about starting your first class in your new online program, but don’t worry anxiety is completely normal. Studying online can be a little overwhelming at first, but with a little preparation, you can join your virtual class and start your courses with lower anxiety and more ambition.

Here are some tips to help you get through your first week as a new online student:

• Take the training for the online classroom.
  Soon after you register for your first class you should receive an email from the classroom support group at your school. At American Public University (APU) you get a link to the online classroom training. Make sure you register for the training! It will give you an overview of what to expect and get familiarized with the terminology used such as forum, announcements, assignments, papers and exams. Once you are a few weeks into your classes, retake the training. You will be able to verify that you are using the classroom as you should and maybe learn a few additional elements to make your classroom experience optimal.
• Free up your time in the first week.
  The first week is crucial so make sure to clear time in your schedule. Try to log into your class(es) as soon as Monday in order to get familiarized with the course and its objective as well as assessing that week’s workload. The “syllabus” and “lessons” tab are good places to start.
• Familarize yourself with the preferred writing style.
  Do it right from the start! Get cozy with the style preferred by your school and write every assignment as if it was a full-on paper. That way when your first paper is due, you will already be prepared with the required technical writing skills.
• Seek help from your peers if needed.
  Other students are more than willing to help. Like APU, many online universities establish virtual communities you can turn to if you have questions regarding your classroom and your online experience as a whole.

By: Isabelle dV
Guest Online Learning Tips Writer and M.B.A. student at American Public University

For those unfamiliar with an elective course, it’s a class you can take that may not be part of your core requirements. Taking an elective course can be an opportunity to refine skills needed for the workforce, or a chance to review things they you may be curious about and haven’t had the time to explore before.

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You wouldn’t enroll in a class at the local college and attend without ever speaking to or getting to know a soul, now would you?

Just because it’s easier to slink into the corner of your classroom discussion when you go to school online, it doesn’t mean that it’s okay to go through your online education without getting to know your peers.

Your peers can prove to be valuable resources during your studies, as well as post-graduation.  Building a network with the folks that share classes with you; or even those that share similar interests, can help you with school assignments, job placement/coaching, and more.

[Find your peers on Facebook]

Don’t take the easy road, branch out and get to know the people you go to school with, you won’t regret it!

We’re all afraid of something. Whether it’s a fear of the unknown, spiders (like me), the dark, and even getting an education. Some of us working hard to obtain a degree may have common worries like failing a class, finding the time to get all your work done, or possibly being tested on something you didn’t learn. All of these fears have ground, and are common, but can be beat by being proactive and prepared.

Even for the most seasoned online learner, there can be a whole list of worries and concerns about getting through school. Here is a list of common fears among online learners, and ways to combat them:

• “I won’t have enough time for my family.”
  • Solution: Get your family involved in your learning. Instead of flying solo with your assignments, get your kids, spouse, pet, involved in what you’re taking in. It gives them a chance to spend time with you, and could help you approach the topic from a different angle.
• “I’ll waste a lot of time finding something I want to major in.”
  • Solution: First consider what your overall goals are. Make a list of the types of career fields that interest you, and go from there. Get more help in choosing the right major.
    
• “None of my previous credits will apply, and I’ll have to start all over again.”
  • Solution: Depending on your schools transfer credit policy you can transfer up to a certain amount towards your degree. You can also earn credit for prior learning.
• “Time management is my weak point. I get sweaty palms when I see a due date because I don’t know how I’ll get it done on time.”
  • Solution: Time management is a common problem for a majority of students. To be able to tame it, you need to get a handle on how you budget your time. You balance your checkbook, or keep tabs on how much you spend right? Well consider doing the same for your schoolwork. As the saying goes, “time is money,” don’t waste yours not working hard towards a goal.
• “I’ll become more and more withdrawn the further I get into my program since I don’t see people face to face for class.”
  • Solution: Just because your class is virtual and your communication tool is a computer or smartphone doesn’t mean you can’t be just as social. Most schools have everything from discussion boards to virtual student unions and Facebook pags dedicated to the students at the school.

Whatever your fears may be, it’s worth talking to a peer about. If you have concerns about the school it never hurts to talk to current students or an admissions representative. Education isn’t something to be afraid of, instead it should be looked at as a challenge to be overcome.

[Online University - Is it Right for Me?]

By: J. Mason