Tips for Going to an Online College
How to Succeed in an Online College Environment
You’ve taken the plunge and decided to return to school to further your education. What’s more, you’ve decided to attend school online because it fits your busy lifestyle better. You’ve got the start date circled on your calendar, financial aid is all set, you’ve signed up for your courses…but can you be sure you’re going to do well?
Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with plenty of tips for going to an online college. We asked Excelsior University academic advisors what they’d tell students about going to school online. Check out what they said so you’re ready to succeed in your online education journey.
10 Tips for Attending an Online College from Excelsior Advisors
Our advisors have spent years supporting students through their online coursework. These recommendations will set you up for academic success.
Tip 1: Check Out the Orientation
You may want to jump right in when beginning your online education. But first, you’ll want to get familiar with the school and your courses. At Excelsior, advisors recommend checking out the Orientation Hub in MyExcelsior for what it’s like to be a student at Excelsior.
They also suggest reviewing the academic integrity tutorial that students have access to each time they register for a course. CCS 101 is a free resource to help students understand and adhere to Excelsior’s academic integrity policy. It can be completed at any time and will remain available on your Canvas dashboard for reference.
Tip 2: Understand Your Degree Program
Your academic success depends largely on doing well in the degree program you choose to pursue. Make sure you speak with your academic advisor if you’re unsure about your program. If you have any doubts, talk it out! Excelsior has more than 35 degree programs across six areas of study: business, health sciences, liberal arts, nursing, public service, and technology. Our academic advisors and faculty members will help you work toward achieving your goals.
Tip 3: Get Familiar with Tech Support
Since you’ll be doing your learning online, it’s important to have a relationship with your institution’s IT department in case you run into any issues that need their expertise. Similarly, Excelsior advisors recommend you check your school’s requirements for operating systems, hardware requirements, internet connections, and more before you log on. Excelsior’s tech support is available to help with an array of issues and is usually available 24/7.
Tip 4: Use All Resources
Even though learning online can feel like a solitary endeavor, you’re never alone. Your institution will have many resources available to help you in your education journey. For academic support at Excelsior University, our advisors suggest that you utilize free tutoring through Brainfuse, request writing assistance in the Online Writing Lab (OWL), and communicate directly with your instructors for additional support. For goal setting and career planning, consider a one-on-one meeting with our Career Readiness Center to help you consider all your postgraduation options or polish up your resume as you prepare to enter the job market.
Tip 5: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
If you’re ever in doubt, reach out for help! Excelsior advisors urge you to keep asking questions. If you aren’t sure who to ask, call your advisor, and they’ll help you find the best office for each question.
Tip 6: Be Aware of Your Schedule and Commitments
Starting a new degree program, especially online, is a big commitment. Excelsior advisors say that it can sometimes be easy to lose track of time and find yourself scrambling to get all your work done. They have a great tip for you: Sit down during the first few days of your course and map out your schedule. Include your work shifts and standing commitments (family activities, religious services, etc.) and then identify where you have pockets of free time. Reserve at least 18–20 hours each week per course to dedicate to your schoolwork.
Make sure you stick to your schedule—when it’s time to hit the books, don’t cheat yourself and push the work off until the end of the week. That will only leave you more stressed, and your quality of work will almost certainly suffer for it. Between readings, discussion postings, writing assignments, online lab components, individual and/or group projects, and quizzes and exams, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of time to put your best foot forward.
Tip 7: Communicate with Your Instructors
Just because you’re learning online doesn’t mean you won’t be able to contact your instructor with questions. In fact, Excelsior advisors recommend making a note of your instructors’ contact information. The easiest way to contact your instructors is through the in-course email system accessed through your Canvas inbox. Keep in touch with your instructor if you have questions or issues throughout the term. Life happens—if you have extenuating circumstances like a medical or family emergency (hopefully not!), Excelsior instructors and the school both do their best to work with you.
Tip 8: Check Your Email Regularly
When attending online college, it’s important to stay in touch with advisors, instructors, and classmates. Email is a big mode of communication, so it’s important to always check your inbox for any new messages. Advisors recommend checking your MyExcelsior Student Portal, which contains resources, apps, and information that will help you on your student journey.
Tip 9: Proofread Everything You Submit
Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar institutions, when you attend an online college, most of your communication will be written. That means correct grammar and punctuation are a must. Be sure to double-check all your papers, assignments, and even day-to-day communication for clarity. Excelsior advisors suggest turning to the Excelsior OWL for help with your writing.
Tip 10: Remember Self-Care
Remember, online college is a big commitment, and working toward a degree is hard. You might make many sacrifices in other areas of your life. Excelsior advisors agree that it’s okay to take time for yourself along this journey. In fact, it’s a must! Be sure to schedule time to relax and enjoy your family and friends.
Our advisors point to the additional resources available to Excelsior University students. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, Excelsior supports students with free access to ComPsych, which can help students access local supports and services to assist them with a variety of needs, including legal guidance, finding child care, hiring movers, emotional challenges, and more.
Making the decision to earn your degree by attending online college can be a big choice, but it doesn’t have to be a scary one. And with these tips for online college, you’ll not only succeed but also thrive!
