If you’re anxiety ridden lately from exams and papers, maybe it’s time to switch up your playlists.

For the most part people find a calm when listening to their favorite music. It also encourages movement, motivation, and productivity. At seminars you’ll notice music being played softly in the background while you chatter away, and most stores they’ll play music that relates to the retail stores demographic to conjure up positive feelings while you shop. Why not do the same while you study? Make playlists based around your most common stress points in school.

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One of my tricks for memorizing important details for a subject in class is to pick out “hot words.” These are the words that trigger a memory of a sentence in a novel, or a scientific process. So, instead of trying to memorize large chunks, treat it like a search engine would with SEO.

Separate Main Points

The best way to do this if you’re more visual is to take a stack of notecards, put the keyword on one side, and on the other as much relevant information to that word as possible. For example, if you have history test and you write Magna Carta on one side, the other should side should summarize its conception, purpose, and its effect on society. Be sure to cover all the topics your professor outlined throughout the semester, and then take your time reviewing just those cards. I found it easier to have small bites of information, as opposed to large sheets covered back and front with words and symbols.

Get Quizzed

Once you’re feeling confident about what you know, let your family quiz you! The more practice you get the better, and encourage them to ask you for in-depth information. It will improve your understanding on the topic, and relieve some of the stress that comes along with taking your test(s).

[related: 5 Ways to Use Your Tablet for Effective Study]

By: J. Mason

It’s been said that the virtual platform allows the introverts to come out of their shell. Without the face to face interaction of a brick and mortar school, you rely more heavily on your social communication skills through text and content.

In the online learning environment the class clown isn’t favored, it’s the student that has the most value and information to offer the rest of the class. So, if you’re looking to fit in online, or at least network with students in your program, you’ll need to learn about the overall attitude of the student body. What’s the best way to do this? Get involved the school’s social networking groups. If you frequent a blog, or forum you’ll know that the more you particpate the more feedback and support you’ll receive. The same goes for social groups in an online school. Throw yourself into the mix by answering a question posted by one of the admins, or ask a question yourself. Depending on the response, helpful/not helpful, you can start to get a better sense on where other students are at.

[related: Go Public After Completing a Goal]

Don’t be afraid to use the chat feature, or engage other students within the classroom as well. Check with your advisor on if there’s a virtual student lounge you can visit to get in touch with other students. Online education still has the same end goal as any other brick and mortart institution, to educate and inspire innovation. Everyone interprets their education differently, but for the most part you’re in school because you want to be.

Just remember, you’re not alone in the learning process. There are thousands of other online students just like you working on their degree. One way to keep your motivation levels up while in school? Get social with your peers. I’ve seen friendships develop on our school pages on Facebook from students having continued and supportive interactions with one another. Take a second today to get connected with your peers online, you may find a new study buddy!

[related: Friending Your Classmates and Professors on Facebook]

By: J. Mason

Given that many online learning colleges (and even online programs at community colleges and 4-year colleges) do not have permanent faculties (or do not use the permanent teachers for the online program), it’s especially important to check out the credentials of the person teaching the course. Look for the instructor bio on the course Web page. Check out his or her degrees (the higher the better), teaching experience (how many years, at what level), and whether he or she is trained in the field you’re going to take. And, if the info isn’t there, send an e-mail (polite, of course) asking a few questions about the instructor’s background. A good instructor should not take offense and should have nothing to hide.

(Source: USNews.com)