How to Adapt to Post-Secondary Online Education

How to Adapt to Post-Secondary Online Education

Becoming a post-secondary student in an online environment can be very challenging and some students may have difficulty adapting. In the 15 online courses that I have completed, I have found that completing a degree online will have many challenges, but if the student adapts well, then the process can be very successful. There are many things to consider when completing your degree online, however there are four basic steps that will help a new student adapt well to the distance education format, technology, organization, time management and participation.

First, you will want to familiarize yourself with all of the technology being utilized to conduct the online course. Prior to being able to connect to the course, you need to ensure that you have the necessary system requirements needed to access the Distance Education portal. Ensure that you have the system requirements in order to access the course. Online courses rely heavily on technology, if you do not have a system that meets the requirements to deliver the course you will not be able to access the course. Once you have confirmed that you meet the required system requirements, ensure that you have created your profile, account settings and have identified the notifications that you wish to have.

Next, the student must get organized. Create a study area that will limit distractions and be comfortable for you to complete your work. Determine what course materials are required and ensure that they are bought prior to the start of the course to ensure that you don't fall behind. The course materials can be purchased through the online bookstore by selecting your course and section. Next, you will want to familiarize yourself with the course design. Check out where the course outline and schedule, paying particular attention to the syllabus and deadlines. Be sure to take note of the weekly distance education learning weekly calendar...