Many opt for online courses in graduate school, as it allows for a long-distance education from the college of your choice, and eases the balance of work, home and school life. But a digital education also requires a different kind of diligence. Here are a few tips to maintaining motivation in the virtual classroom:
Time yourself
How long does it take you to go through course lectures and materials? How soon can you complete an assignment? Tracking your progress will help you in scheduling your various responsibilities and encourage productivity.
Get ready for class
While you may be tempted to sleep in and write your papers in pajamas, you’re more likely to take things seriously if you get up on time, get dressed, eat a good breakfast or exercise before sitting down at the computer.
Disconnect
Turn off your cell phone. Resist the urge to repeatedly check social networking sites. Treat your class as “class time” alone. Those Facebook notifications aren’t going anywhere.
Make friends
As much as possible, participate in forum discussions, chats and video conferencing. You may not be looking for a new BFF, but this interaction provides accountability, and these relationships could be a valuable resource.
