Facts to Bear in Mind before Enrolling in an Online Course

Thanks to the pandemic and technology, online courses are tremendously in vogue these days. They offer multiple benefits, and it looks like their usage will grow further in the future. But there are many myths and wrong assumptions associated with online courses. As more and more people join the plethora of online courses worldwide, we find it only apt to provide a list of some hardcore facts related to them. Anyone aspiring to join an online course must keep them in mind before starting.

1. Online Studies Are Real Studies

Many people still consider online studies as a pastime that one would do to kill some extra time. They don’t take it seriously and rate it inferior to traditional studies. Nothing could be farther from the truth than that. Online studies are a legitimate way of learning, and people are earning professional degrees and certificates by taking them. Online courses are taught by highly educated teachers who have years of experience behind them. Please do not take it as a second-grade method of learning.

2. You Cannot Rip Off the Exams

If you are taking an online course, thinking that you can easily pass the absence of any checks and security protocols, you are sadly mistaken. There are systems and tools already in place that discourage and prevent any such malpractices. Even if online exams are not conducted in-camera, there are still ways to preempt any wrongdoing on the part of students, so beware of that.

3. Befriend Technology

Online studies are entirely dependent on technology. Therefore, you must have knowledge and understanding of how it all works. You should be able to do minor troubleshooting so that your studies are not disturbed during classes. Get a backup plan ready. Also, keep your gadgets in good working conditions and learn how to use them adequately. It includes a stable and reliable internet connection as well. Many videos have gone viral and turned into memes involving online classes where misuse of mic or camera resulted in hilarious situations. You do not want that with you, so use your equipment sensibly. Be aware of what others can see or hear.

4. You Will Interact with Fellow Students

Many people are under the wrong assumption that online studies happen in isolation. You do not get to see or interact with fellow course-mates. It is not a valid assumption. In a live session, there are fellow students that you can see and interact with. The teacher throws a question to his class, and there is a healthy group discussion, just like in a traditional classroom. Even if your online course comprises recorded sessions, you can still communicate with other students via comments/feedback sections, community groups, online message boards, etc. All these activities make up nicely for loss of physical contact.

5. You Have to Be Self-Accountable

Online courses provide you the freedom and flexibility to take up studies when you feel like doing it. Unless, of course, you have to attend a live online session at a fixed time. In either case, you have to keep yourself accountable for your studies. There won’t be any instructor, principal, or teacher urging you to study in a classroom. You will be answering to yourself for any achievement or lack thereof.

6. Time Management Is the Key

Time management is of utmost importance when you are taking an online course. You will have to set aside some time every day to study. Please fix a time slot for your studies. In this way, you will develop a habit of studying at a specified time, and your mind would alert you to start working at that time.

7. Transfer of Credit Hours

Many online courses allow you to transfer your credit hours to a traditional course and complete your remaining studies there. In this way, you can have the best of both worlds and continue studying in a conventional setup if you so desire.

8. The Option of a Private Message

Online courses are taught using different software and system options, but there is an option of reaching your instructor privately in almost all of them. You should have information regarding it and know how to use it correctly. It will come in handy many times.

9. Make Yourself a Study Corner

While online courses give you the flexibility to take up classes even while you are in your kitchen, garden, or balcony, we advise you not to do that. You should fix yourself a nice, clean spot in your home and go there to take your classes daily. It can be your little classroom. Make sure it is a quiet place, away from distractions and noises that can hinder your studies.

10. Participate in Your Class

You must participate in your online course actively. If you are taking a live session, then be as proactive as possible. It will keep you motivated, engaged, and involved in the class proceedings. If you remain passive and inactive, you might lose interest in your studies. In case of recorded sessions, take part in assignments, quizzes, etc. Reach out to other students whenever you feel like it in whatever way you can and get to know them. It will keep your interest alive.

11. Keep Realistic Expectations

Online studies have their own fair set of limitations as well. So always enter an online course by keeping your expectations to the bare minimum or realistic levels. There are bound to be disappointments along the way. You better be prepared for them and learn to take them in their stride. Do not lose heart and continue your journey with a renewed pledge and hope.

Conclusion

These were some of the facts that you need to keep in mind while taking online courses. Online studies provide an array of possibilities to study and learn new things to both full-time and part-time students. There are multiple benefits attached to them, and they will be the medium of learning for most of us in the future.