The Do's and Don'ts of Online College

For those looking to get into college online, there are plenty of things to consider. Those things include what you won't be able to do, compared to if you were in a physical classroom with other students and teachers. Online classes are not as bad as it may sound, but you have to understand that there are limits you'll have. One of those limits is communication. This means that you will have to wait a little longer for a student's or teacher's response if you have a question about a certain topic in the class. Another limit is the way you receive a lecture. If it is a Zoom class, it will be a little easier, because it is a live-video conference, so if you feel the need to ask something, ask away! Teachers are not there to discourage you, they are there to help in any way. This walks into the do's and don'ts.

DON'Ts:

1.) The first DON'T is this: Do NOT wait until the last minute on the (day of) to complete a complex assignment that is due at 11:59pm. You will be under pressure and want to rush, resulting in a bad grade, and that isn't okay.

2.) Another DONT: Do NOT forget that you have a calendar in Canvas. That calendar will have your assignments listed in order, so you can see which days you have to complete something that is due very soon. In other words, so you can know in advance when to start your assignment.

3.) The third DON'T: Don't hesitate to email your instructors. It may take a little while to get a response from them, but a later response is better than NO response, right? Text them, email them, egg them on so they know that you're in need of their help!

4.) The fourth DON'T: Don't be afraid to make a "fool" of yourself! For example, if you have a question for a teacher that you think is "silly" or "dumb", you will most likely get a response from them that says "No question is a dumb question!" While that may sound so common and corny, it is actually true. I'd feel much better knowing that I got my question answered than have it sit in my system in limbo.

5.) The fifth DON'T: Do NOT forget your strengths and weaknesses. During an online class, you will have highs, and you will have lows. What's most important is knowing where you fall in the category. As a college student (mostly online), I thought I was basically never going to make it through, because I violated my main rule and forgot that I had strengths and weaknesses. I said to myself "I'll never make it through this, and I have no clue why I applied to this in the first place". Stop. Think about what you're saying when it comes to that. Let's not forget the struggles and distractions "we all had" in high school with those loud students who would never quiet down. But here, you have the comfort of your own home! The biggest distraction you will most likely have is a barking dog, a parent or sibling calling your name for dinner. To me, that's peanuts compared to the obnoxious pushing and shoving in the hallways while in crowded groups. If you can make it through that, you can make it through this. I promise you.

DO'S:

1.) From all we know, we had those times where we have busy scheduled work weeks, from 9 to 5. You know it, we all know it. The biggest advantage here is that you have until midnight to get something done. That includes a whole 24 hours in a day. Utilize that time and cherish it!

2.) The second DO: Remember the time where you most likely had lunch between classes in high school and forgot a homework assignment? The first thing you would do is this: You would get to your lunch table with your food and not even start eating yet, but you would reach for the homework you forgot and try and chicken scratch your way to a high C. While that has worked for the majority of the time for me, you don't have to worry about that in an online class. Your professor won't reach his or her hand through your computer screen and snatch your work away in the middle of writing it up. You have plenty of time. Relax, and if you have the convenience of having to Google something important, do it! No one is stopping you from having the best grade possible. By the way, that excludes cheating, so I guess that is definitely another DON'T.

3.) The final DO: Cherish and associate yourself with your fellow classmates. You're not alone. Everyone listed in your class is going through the same thing you are. Share your thoughts with them and make friends!

In conclusion, during online class, you will have highs, and you will have lows. The best thing to do is relax yourself. Take note that just because you're just sitting in front of a computer screen, does not mean that you aren't capable of having a great GPA. You still have a quality school and potential of getting your best work done. Knock them dead!