Choosing self-improvement over procrastination is a good thing. Improving yourself can come in different ways. Some would pick healthy habits, getting added to their daily routine. Others would pick a new hobby to keep themselves productive. Either way, a hobby or a new form of exercise can be both beneficial. Your body and your mind are both capable of learning new things and acquiring a new habit.
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Self-improvement may also come as learning new things through courses offered online. But, unlike a new form of exercise, or a new hobby, e-learning can take you somewhere different. It can help you acquire a unique perspective or add to your expertise in your field. An online course requires not just interest but also effort. This is when taking an online course a bit more complicated than a few squats daily or baking a new recipe. Besides your attention and your focus, what else should you have to succeed as an online learner?
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Check the course you enrolled in.
After picking a course that goes in line with your interest, look into what it requires of you. Unlike offline courses, online courses may require you to work mostly on your own. You may need to acquire a skill-set that will help you comply with the assessments of the course. The course might challenge your technology skills, not just your thinking skills. It is vital that you:
- Know the context of your course.
- Have the technology required in online instruction.
- Download the apps needed for you to access, upload, and download learning and assessment material.
- Know who to contact for clarification and guidance.
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Have internet access or a plan in case you suddenly get disconnected.
An online course entails internet connection. Whether you have a fiber internet connection, always make sure that you have the speed enough to sustain video conferencing, downloading, and uploading. Once the instructor requires you to download any course material, make it a habit to download the files so you can go through them even when the internet suffers a glitch. Other important reminders you should remember are:
- Always save your output so you can retrieve them when you suddenly go offline.
- In an online discussion, you can always resort to a no-video or a voice conference if the call or the conference suddenly becomes distorted.
- Do your tasks diligently. Delaying them may cause you so much trouble, especially if you are submitting work on the deadline, but the internet connection got disrupted.
- Have alternative means in case you find difficulty submitting an output due to internet connection problems.
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Find the right space and time for you to work on your course.
Besides procrastination, an online learner has to think where and when they study. The space you are in and the time you choose to study subconsciously but significantly affect your behavior while you learn. So you must become mindful of how you alter your environment, not just adjust to it. Here are things you might want to do:
- Find a well-lit space where you can put your course material and study.
- Check the temperature and the noise around you.
- Know when you can work more efficiently.
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Assert your freedom, sharpen your focus.
Being outside the classroom gives you the option of being side-tracked by other interesting things, making you lose focus. This is why it is essential to find a balance between learning and having fun.
Final Word
How do you picture yourself after that big leap of enrolling in an online class? Remember why you started so you can get to the end of the course with flying colors!
