Assertiveness and initiative are qualities needed for success in online learning. You need to take the initiative to ask questions and resolve problems that the instructor may not be able to perceive. Many of the non-verbal cues that instructors use to determine whether a student is not understanding are not as available in an online class as they are in face-to-face learning environments.

If you experience difficulty on any level, either with the technology or with the course content, you need to communicate your concerns immediately, otherwise the instructor will not know how to help.

(source: University of West Florida)

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Hoarding image courtesy of the University of Michigan Health System

So we’ve all probably seen those shows documenting people with extremely obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) who end up hoarding everything possible, until it consumes their lives and everyone around them. Most of us are lucky not to suffer from this serious disorder.  However, how many times have you found yourself saving a magazine or newspaper because you tell yourself “sure, I’ll read this later, so I will hang onto it until then”? Come on, you know you’re out there.

[tech savvy learners are going online for their IT certificates]

However, with all the digitization of media, hoarding magazines and newspapers might be on the decline among the average (non-OCD) person. And unless you bookmark everything you come across, saving links is the only way to become a digital hoarder.  And links can be erased, or they can expire.

So, if you desire to become an organized digital hoarder, I have the tool for you!

It’s called “Instapaper” and you can get it here: http://www.instapaper.com.

It’s a plug-in for the Google Chrome web browser that let’s you mark articles and pages to “save for later”. This syncs the article so you can view it offline anytime (as well as some other nifty features like stripping out all the nav so it prints well, or enabling it to view properly on a mobile device).  This little widget keeps track of everything you are saving for later so you don’t have to worry about organizing bookmarks and articles before you know if they are worth saving.

This is great for someone like myself because I receive dozens of newsletters each day… I skim them quickly and click the articles that I want to read… then mark them to read later… and finally, when I have some peace and quite (almost never), I can read through the articles and keep only the ones worth saving.

Does this make me a digital hoarder? Neh. I can always hit delete.

Up Next: Start digitally hoarding your coursework research on your iPad

Although you may want to sign up for as many classes as possible, taking only one or two in the beginning is the best way to go. That way you’ll be able get a feel for how many hours you need to dedicate to your classes each week. By starting slow, you’ll learn to pace yourself without being overwhelmed as well as what other life commitments will just have to go in order for your online learning experience to be a success.

It’s easier to add additional courses the next semester than it is to drop or fail out of one now. Remember, online college classes are just as challenging and time consuming as the classes at a campus university. It definitely won’t be a walk in the park.

(Source: Education.org)

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If you’re dragging your feet to get assignments in when they’re due, then it’s probably time to try something new. The clock and calendar can be any one’s worse nightmare, especially when you throw a full-time job and a full class schedule into the mix. Nobody wants to get penalized for turning in a paper or assignment late, but sometimes it happens. Make the most of the time you have, and actually get things done.

This is easier than it seems. Waiting to the last minute is a choice, but with better time management and organization skills, you won’t have to dread due dates anymore.

• Have a goal in mind? Write it down.Listing is a great way to organize your thoughts and priorities. You can include class assignments, deadlines for projects, and anything you have going on at home. As long as you have it written down, you can physically see what you need to work on. Sometimes making a deadline tangible will give you the initiative to see it through to completion.
• Pick a date. This one is easy enough, but often overlooked. We book doctor appointments, hair appointments, and vacations, but why not school? Just as important, if not more so, than other more trivial ”dates”. Set a date to accomplish the task and then move on to the next thing on your list.
• Don’t get stuck, give yourself a break.Often times we find ourselves trapped in a bubble of deadlines, strict schedules, and no breathing room. When this happens loosen up the slack and re-prioritize everything you have going on.  Working in small intervals can be best here. Instead of applying a level of perfectionism to each task, assess each task’s importance and give it the appropriate amount of intensity.
• Ask for help. If you feel stuck, or like you can’t get started, don’t let that deter you from beginning altogether. Help can come from several angles. Try your professor, a classmate, a family member or a friend. Inspiration can come from the strangest places, don’t hold back on asking for help when in need.
• Finish your list. “Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task” – William James As you approach your “due date” removing more trivial items from your list may help in motivating you to finish the things that really need to get done. Say a project worth a good portion of your grade, this should have priority over other items. Make sure to allot time to the bigger tasks, so you don’t get sidetracked with the smaller ones.

Teachers typically give extended due dates to projects that require more planning and time, keep that in mind and don’t save it for the last minute. As with most things in life, moderation and a steady pace will help keep your head above water. You’ll just need to decide whether you want to sink or swim to get there. It’s really all about balance in the end. Making the best use of your time can be the key to breaking out of a procrastination rut.

Keep a diary of everything you do for three days to determine how you’re spending your time. Look for time that can be used more wisely. For example, could you take a bus or train to work and use the commute to catch up on reading? If so, you could free up some time to exercise or spend with family or friends.

(source: MayoClinic.com)

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While you’re pursuing your online degree, remember that perfection is not necessary. If you’re one of those students who is juggling more than a handful of responsibilities and let’s say forgets one of your deadlines or decides to blow off your nightly chapter reading. Don’t beat yourself up with guilt in the morning! Give yourself a break. Not that you’d what to make a habit of missing assignments and shirking your homework, but if you put too much pressure on yourself about your stumbles along the way,  you’ll surely burn out and possibly not finish your online learning journey.

To limit the number of mental roadblocks, try switching up your study routine so that it’s fresh and new again. Maybe take a semester off from the heavy stuff and take one of your elective earlier than you planned, or partner-up for your next class. Examine your situation and determine at least one thing that you can modify (even if it’s temporary) in order for you to consistently maintain your sanity. You may need a tune-up every few weeks, so be sure to stay mindful of when you’re feeling overloaded.

 - Online Learning Tips Staff

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Going to school online requires a different set of supplies to be prepared for class. Instead of a planner you can use an online organizer. No paper required, there are programs for that. And your writing utensils, all you need are your fingers and a keyboard. Even though the work online still isn’t easy, the tools you need for school are much more easy, and most of the time, free to use and attain.

Need something to help you manage your homework? Most online classrooms will organize your grades for each specific class every semester, but you need to check on them in the classroom while you’re logged in. Another way to keep assignments, projects, and papers organized is Gradefix. The name is deceiving, but its true purpose is that of a homework management system. It will allow you to track homework in your classes as well as other tasks. It’s great for procrastinators, but you don’t need to be one to benefit from it. It will let you know when it’s getting late to hand in your work.

If you’re the type to need a tap on the shoulder on responding to discussion board posts, keeping track of notes that may be posted for a class, or an overall class organizer, then you should try CollegeRuled. It allows you to create your class schedule and track your progress through the semester.

Not everything in school is about being organized, but sometimes a good flowchart or diagram helps to keep you at the top of your class. For the classes that require presentations, reports, or if you just want to spice up a discussion post Gliffy allows you to do so. The sites unique interface is useful for students who need to produce flowcharts, process flows, network diagrams, chemical processes, and other technical or non-technical illustrations.

Want to get friendly with classmates, or collaborate for a study session or group project? Online learning doesn’t normally involve face-to-face interaction so for the most part chat programs and emails are used primarily for communication to different parties. Campfire is something that offers traditional web communication, but with upgrades suited to fit an online student. It’s a group communication tool that allows you to share content and graphics. To use you sign up and set up access lists, for your group, then send out invitations to the group by e-mail. You also have the ability to control what each person has permission to see in the private chat room, and the chat history is available to later reference. A great idea for remote study sessions on your next big exam.

Being more productive and keeping the lead in your studies can be easier than you think. Using tools at your fingertips is one simple way to stay organized and keep track of what is going on in your classes. There’s nothing worse than a “surprise” at the end of the semester, tracking your assignments and handing things in when you’re asked to alleviate that unnecessary strain and stress.

- By J. Mason

Assertiveness and initiative are qualities needed for success in online learning. You need to take the initiative to ask questions and resolve problems that the instructor may not be able to perceive. Many of the non-verbal cues that instructors use to determine whether a student is not understanding are not as available in an online class as they are in face-to-face learning environments.

If you experience difficulty on any level, either with the technology or with the course content, you need to communicate your concerns immediately, otherwise the instructor will not know how to help.

(source: University of West Florida)

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Whenever you are assigned a homework assignment or paper for your online class, schedule a deadline. With many online courses, you aren’t required to actually turn in work until the end of the semester, but if you don’t set deadlines for yourself, you’ll suddenly find that you have three papers, 10 chapters of reading, and a final exam all due in the space of two days.

When setting a deadline, don’t schedule it for the day the assignment is really due to your professor; instead, give yourself a few days of leeway in case you run into problems or otherwise need extra time to work. Also, try to stagger your personal due dates throughout the semester so you aren’t overwhelmed with work at any one time.

(source: BestOnlineUniversities.com)

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