subject: How to Approach Your First Online Education Class [print this page] Many online schools start with an enrichment class that is meant to ease the student into the process. The majority of the online students are older people who may have been away from school of any kind for many years. In addition, for many of them this is their first real use of the computer, adding even more anxiety to the process. If you are getting ready to start your very first online class, first of all congratulations! You will love it once you get started. Find top accredited online degrees here.
Before the class is scheduled to begin, start familiarizing yourself with the process. Set up a time schedule for your class and start using that time even before the class starts. For most schools, the online classroom will be open and ready for viewing at least a day or two ahead of time. You should have ordered and received your books and other classroom materials and hopefully have read through at least some of the first few chapters in preparation for the class. Review the process for logging in on a day when you are calm and relaxed. Most schools have a log-in page that includes your student ID or screen name, and a password. The password is typically set by the school at first but should be changed after that first log in to something you can easily remember, but not anything that could be easily figured out by others.
When you log in, enter the classroom and read through all of the navigation tools, which are often found on the left-hand side of the screen, but could be different in each classroom set-up. The instructor will often have announcements posted and you should read those as well. Make sure that you understand how to post your assignments, how to find your grades and all of the other information before day one and if you have any questions make sure that you know how to find the answers. Most schools assign each student to an academic advisor who will help schedule classes, answers questions and concerns and can direct the student to the right department in the school for questions outside of their control.
Remember, you treat your online school just like a traditional class. Don't assume just because the course is online that it is easier. That first class will be thrilling and scary all at once. At first it will seem impossible but after the first week is over, you will realize that you are going to be okay after all. Take the success of that first class and build on it, making sure that you apply all of the good study habits that you learned with the first class to your subsequent classes as well. Remember, after the first class, the next ones just get more challenging and complex. Make sure you're prepared! IF you are looking for an accredited online degree then you found the right place.
