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In this video, Thomas Frank discusses some of the ways to make taking online classes easier and more manageable. I personally enjoy taking more online classes because it allows me to have a flexible schedule so that I have time for work and allows me to work at my own pace because sometimes if the class is moving too slowly for me I get bored and frustrated. Over the course of this video, Thomas Frank discusses five important tips for managing online classes, which include treating online classes like face-to-face classes, staying on top of a calendar and/or a to-do list, being digitally organized, breaking up your day, and creating a virtual study group. I definitely agree with most of these tips, especially about being organized with your to-do list and organized with your computer. I have found that online classes can be easy for you as long as you stay on track with assignments and due dates, especially because those could be your downfall if you do not stay on top of them. However, I do not feel that it is as important to create a virtual study group. I would rather study on my own, plus, I get more work done that way. Adding people to the same study group as myself would only distract me from what it is that I am studying. Another good tip is breaking up your day, which I use in my online classes because every once in a while I do need a break and need to step away from my computer.

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Over the course of this video, Thomas Frank provides tips on how to stay focused while working at home. The main ideas that he goes over in this video are intentionality, distractions and their removal, and mental resistance. What he means by intentionality is that when you sit down to get work done ensure that you are sitting down to work with an actual plan to get work. I know that sometimes I sit down at my desk and then I just scroll through Instagram and Etsy. However, if you sit down in your workspace with at least three things that you intend to get done for that day, it will help you focus better on those tasks. The third part of this video is all about distractions and how to avoid them. The way that Thomas Frank suggests doing this is by getting all unnecessary distractions out of reach, like a cell phone, video games, toys, etc., or maybe even having a separate space to get work done away from everything else. The final section of this video is about combatting mental resistance, which is when our brain chooses not to start something new because it is too large, would take up too much time, or just because we do not want to start anything new, which is how I felt about this padlet in the beginning. However, once you get started it is easy to keep going and working on that one task. So to actually get started it can be beneficial to break the one task up into smaller sections or set a time limit on how long you are going to work on that task at a time so as to reduce the fear of starting something new.

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In this video on motivation, Thomas Frank discusses a few key tips to stay motivated. I chose this video even though he does not talk much about online classes because staying motivated is very important when it comes to online classes. Everything that you do in online classes has to be self-motivated because there is no teacher standing at the front of your room telling you to work on this assignment or that assignment. The first tip is to treat class like the learning opportunity it is because if you are really focused on learning something new in the course you are more likely to be motivated to do more of the work in order to learn something new. The next tip is to establish contact with teachers, which is what you should be doing even in a face-to-face class just in case you need some assistance with the course. Then, he talks about creating a plan for homework and studying so that you have a set schedule in place that will help you stay on track and not get behind on work. The final two tips I feel like go together; one tip says to know when to quit and the other is about making time for fun. Knowing when to quit is more about knowing when you are too overwhelmed and you need to drop something in your schedule to have more of a balance rather than dragging everything else down with it. Plus, this will give you time to have real fun like going to the movies with friends, which is very important because it breaks up all of the work load that comes with online classes and it helps reduce some of the burnout that you might feel as the school year progresses.

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How to Stay Motivated for the Entire School Year

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In this article from Ohio State, the author examines five important tips for online classes. These five tips include creating a schedule to manage your time wisely, staying organized, remaining engaged, taking care of yourself, and knowing where to go to get help. Most of these tips, especially the first three were discussed in the previous videos, but I found that the last two tips are also very important when it comes to online classes. Taking care of yourself and making sure that you set aside time for yourself is important when taking online classes because it can be easy to get lost in the assignments and due dates and forget that you actually need to sleep or eat. It is also important to know where to get help if you are confused in your online classes. For example, CFCC has a learning lab for tutoring, which can be beneficial if you are really struggling with your online classes. This article fits in with the other videos and sources because it comes up with new tips to succeed and manage online classes.

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Whether you're new to online you're an expert distance learner, everyone can benefit from these tips for online learning success. Time management, organization and motivation will take you far while you earn your degree online - as will knowing where to go when you need help.

Our dedicated faculty and staff understand the unique challenges of learning online, so don't be afraid to reach out for guidance in your journey, so we can help you prepare for success.

Taking some time and answering the questions below can help you learn to be successful in your online program. Remember: Learning methods can vary from student to student. It's all about finding which of these helpful tips for online learning work best for you.

Here's one of our best tips for online learning: Prepare as if you have to teach the information you are studying. Organize information by creating charts, outlines, study guides, flashcards, concept maps and chapter maps. Create practice exams to evaluate your mastery of the material.

Use smart test-taking strategies. Before a quiz or exam, write down formulas or other information you may need. Survey the exam before starting and budget your time. Begin with the easiest test questions and work your way to the harder ones. Expect memory blocks. Often the information will come back to you if you move on to other questions.

Look inward for your motivation. Remembering the goal you are working toward will help you as you work through the challenges of being a student.

Keep a growth mindset. Your success has as much to do with your effort as it has to do with your ability. Monitor your self-talk and stay positive.

Still searching for the best online degree?

Ohio State's online bachelor's degrees and graduate programs are ranked as some of the best in the nation , according to U.S. News and World Report.
EXPLORE OHIO STATE ONLINE PROGRAMS >>

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5 Online Learning Tips for Student Success

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Learn how to achieve success as an online student with Ohio State's tips for online learning.

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The article from Penn Foster about how to study for an online course supplies important tips and tricks for taking an online course, especially if you have not taken an online course before. This article connects with the other sources in this padlet because it offers some insights into what it is like to take an online course and some common ways to make taking an online course more manageable. The five tips included in this article are getting organized, setting a schedule, limiting distractions, taking notes, and setting goals. Similarly to the other article, the first three tips are commonly discussed in the other sources of information in this padlet, but the last two I have found are very helpful. Taking notes is important when it comes to online classes because it helps you keep you grounded in the class and reminds you that you actually have a class, even though it is online. Additionally, setting goals can help you by encouraging you to complete more tasks and can even help break down large assignments or projects.

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Whether you're in a traditional, brick-and-mortar school or enrolled in online school, studying is the key to success. It's not always easy and knowing where to start can sometimes be confusing, especially if you're taking an online class for the first time. Penn Foster has some study strategies to help you make the most of online courses.

Materials: Pen, Notepad, Laptop or Personal Computer.

1. Get organized.

If you're not organized, any attempt at studying is going to seem more challenging. Whether you can't find your materials, have a cluttered workspace, or overbooked your time, disorganization can increase your stress. A great way to keep yourself organized is by making a simple investment in a planner. In it, you can maintain a calendar to keep track of dates as well as creating a to-do list so you don't miss any assignments.

2. Set a schedule.

One of the great things about online schools like Penn Foster is that you can study on your own time from anywhere you choose. With flexible class times, you can incorporate extracurricular activities, work, and family time without having to worry about missing something important. That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep a schedule, though. Setting aside a specified amount of time each day to complete your work can help ensure everything is completed in a timely manner. It also helps you use your allotted time more productively.

3. Limit distractions.

With family, work, and school obligations, it's hard to not get distracted at times, especially when completing online classes. However, there are some easy tips to keep distractions at a minimum. For instance, eliminate temptations like cell phones by silencing them or removing them from your study space completely. Keep your study space far from attention-grabbers like television or busy areas of the house. But, if you feel yourself losing the ability to pay attention (which happens to us all), don't be afraid to step away for a moment. While you don't want to have constant distractions looming over you, it is ok sometimes to take a moment to get up and stretch or go for a quick walk to refresh your brain and refocus your attention.

4. Take notes.

It doesn't matter how you do it, but a simple, tried-and-true study strategy is to take notes. Though notetaking has been around as long as studying itself, this tip for online classes works especially well because you can pause your videos and lectures to complete your notes without missing any other important information. Not only do notes give you something to which you can refer back, but handwriting or typing the information again helps commit it to memory.

5. Set goals.

Even the best, brightest students can feel overwhelmed by schoolwork. You might look at your schedule or coursework and think it's impossible. Approach it by taking it a step at a time. Break down bigger assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks while setting a goal for yourself to reach. These can be big or small, but either way they will encourage you to persevere. Accomplishing any goal can make the next task seem less daunting while instilling a sense of self-confidence. Reward yourself for a job well done to celebrate your accomplishment and motivate you to continue.

No matter what stage of life you're in or what study style you have, Penn Foster offers affordable, accredited programs designed to accommodate a variety of learning styles and schedules. Once you've started your course, there are additional resources that are course-specific to help you make the most of your program. Work towards your first goal by calling the Admissions team at 1-888-427-6500 or enroll online today.

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Taking an online course this year? Learn how to maximize your studying while taking an online course in 5 easy steps to get the most out of online learning.