I am currently striding for the finish line of my first semester of my online Masters program (purely online at that) and while it’s stressful and somewhat lonely (I have talked the ear off a few people about my studies cause I can’t really talk to my cohort), it has also been really beneficial for me in that I can do the work around the rest of my life.
Online learning really took off during and after Covid-19, though it has actually been around for a few decades. Previously called ‘distance’ learning (where your books would get mailed to you!), it evolved as the internet became more prevalent. And where once you could really only do a handful of courses, now there are entire programs which can be completed online without you ever having to step foot in a classroom. It’s certainly tempting for many people as you can follow your own schedule and for people with disabilities, it is a good way to get further education from the comfort of home.
But for many people, there are some challenges to online learning, both of the technological or space sort and the mental energy. After all, you won’t have the structure of going to class to keep you going and even fewer people will be around to hold you accountable. It takes a different type of motivation to manage online learning and for many people, without the presence of other people doing the same thing, it can seem impossible.
Still, online learning definitely has its benefits, especially for people who are juggling work and family. How can you make it work for you so that these barriers are more surmountable?
Space and Technology
Before tackling the internal motivation and mental energy, it’s important to make sure that you have environment you will need to succeed. Remote learning require a computer that has decent specifications – able to play videos, load a good word processor, fast internet, and depending on your study and learning styles, you might also want a good printer. It’s also important to have a dedicated space to study in where you can reach everything you need, be comfortable, and make sure you can concentrate. This is going to be entirely up to you, your space, and your budget, but do take the time to think about it as the right tools will make everything that much easier.
Managing Your Time
One of the hardest parts of remote learning is managing your time. Without the structure of classes, it all falls on you to manage your own time and stick to a schedule that works for you. Time management can be tricky, but here are some good tips:
- Set short term goals. Remember, each semester is only 3-4 months long, so we are looking at short goals. They should still be SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Bound) and it’s important to be honest with yourself about what you can manage. Your goals may also be bound by your program; for example, achieving certain grades, deadlines for projects, and other things like that.
- Know when you do your best work and schedule accordingly. Figure out when you’re most productive and utilize that time instead of forcing yourself to be productive in times when you really won’t be. Make sure to loop in anyone else who may be affected so that they know when you want to do your studies.
- Break down your course outlines and workload into small goals. You will get a course outline, syllabus, assignment list and so on. Break down these lists into achievable weekly or even daily goals and take each part one step at a time. Try to refrain from jumping too far ahead as you may find yourself burning out or getting exhausted if you try to finish things too quickly. Some professors even give a weekly schedule; it’s not a terrible idea to stick with it as much as possible.
- Track your progress. This gives you a great feeling of completion and let you readjust your goals when needed.
It’s really important to set yourself a schedule that works and stick with it as much as possible. This way it becomes a part of your daily routine, and it will be easier to finish everything you need to on time. Having small, regular goals also helps to maintain the feeling of accomplishment which makes it easier to maintain momentum.
It’s also important not to bite off more than you can chew. Don’t forget that for many, the whole point of online learning is to do it around everything else, so if you have to take more time to get through your program, do so if it means getting through it.
Find Your People
You won’t be meeting face to face with your cohort if you’re doing it purely online, but you can still find your people who you can bounce ideas off of. Talk to family and friends who are interested and don’t forget to take part in the class forums. Online learning can be incredibly lonely which is also demotivating, so being able to talk to people about your studies can really help. If you’re doing a lot of online communication, make sure to express yourself politely, use emojis to convey correct emotions, and be careful with wording to avoid coming off as sarcastic or impolite.
Remote or online learning can be hugely beneficial, but it also means a lot of the weight of motivation, time management, and even finding other people all falls on you to do. Make sure you structure your time and stick to a routine, don’t be afraid to let people know what you’re doing, and enjoy! Online learning can really open doors and be really good for you in the long run.
