We all suffer from it… lack of sleep, exhaustion, the itis… whatever you want to call it; it downright STINKS.  I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that there have been times where I’ve felt like I can’t possibly keep going, I can’t possibly finish my homework tonight, and I can’t possibly wake up for work this morning.

Here are a few tips that’ll help keep you on your toes… allowing for you to keep going, finish your homework tonight, AND make it to work this morning!

1. Exercise. I know, this isn’t a blog about exercise — but the healthier you are, the better you’ll be able to perform in school, at work, etc.  Work in at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity every day or two… you’ll feel a difference.
2. Eat better! It’s so easy to order a pizza or microwave a frozen dinner after a long day of work and schoolwork and family.  I get it.  But, it’s just as easy to toss a few chicken breasts in the crock pot in the morning, or throw together a salad instead.  Again, you’ll feel the difference and your brain and body will thank you!
3. Don’t multitask. When you’re working on school work, work on school work.  Easier said than done, I’m aware.  But the more focused you are on the task at hand, the more efficiently, thoroughly and quickly you’ll be able to get it done.
4. Rinse and repeat. Okay, so maybe don’t rinse, but it’s a good idea to review the last thing you learned when you sit down to study and move forward.  Nothing like a good memory jog!
5. Get those 8 hours. Or as close as you can.  You can’t expect your body and mind to work with you if you’re not giving it what it needs: rest!

What other tips do you put into practice to keep yourself in tip top shape?

By N. Cooper

Remember the old adage; if you cheat in school, you ultimately cheat yourself? So, what exactly is cheating? Generally speaking, it’s when someone plagiarizes material, fabricates false data or citations, lies to an instructor to gain an academic advantage, or simply copies someone’s answers on a test. Call it academic dishonesty. Because the Internet is a vast and powerful tool (coupled with the ease-of-use a computer provides in accessing and copying material), the question of academic integrity in online education has attracted attention from time to time.

For example, check out pro tennis player, Serena William’s cheeky postgame interview at the 2011 US Open (starting at the 37 second mark). She jokes that she hopes her sister, Venus would take her online classes for her because, “she’s really smart.” It’s funny. And yes, there sometimes persists the misnomer that academic dishonesty occurs more frequently with online learning than in traditional classrooms. However, the reality is that when cheating occurs, it’s at all levels of education, in the classroom and online. Here’s an interesting Academic Cheating Fact Sheet  provided by the Ad Council.

Look, it’s simple. Online education does provide convenience at a distance, but you’ll find that there are more people who are self-disciplined and truly dedicated to lifelong learning than not. The advantages of online learning, particularly at American Public University, is that students are taught by scholar-practitioners, many who are distinguished leaders working in their fields. The curriculum they teach is assessed constantly and updated based on guidance from industry advisory councils. We’re talking about successful leaders who are at the top of their game. The knowledge and experience online academic programs impart is meant to help students develop important, lifelong skills that could impact their professional abilities. So, why would anyone want to cut corners and pass up these great educational opportunities?

In this day and age when online education is closely tied to professional development and designed to prepare graduates for real-world implementation, that old adage may be even truer. Besides, not all of us have smarter big sisters.

By J. Thompson
Online Learning Tips Staff

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

We all have our favorite bookmarked websites and tools for class, some are better than others. The great thing about educational tools/apps is that they can double for work and life. Below is a list of some of my favorite tools and sites that I use regularly.

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