7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Taking an Online Class

Life can get a little hectic, especially when you are attending a college or university. Your schedule can cram up quickly between classes, clubs, part-time jobs, and social events. Sometimes taking an online course can free up your schedule by allowing you to fit it into your schedule where possible. If staying up late in your pajamas is the best time for you to take a class, then take an online course!

Online courses are great, but students can make major mistakes that will cost them their grade since it’s different than taking a class in-person. I’ve come up with the seven most common mistakes students make when taking an online class and how you can avoid them.

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1. Not identifying your learning style

You’ve been told throughout your academic career that people have different learning styles. Some people are better visual learners while others learn best from audio or a lecture. When you take an online course, you are essentially teaching yourself the material. So, you must identify what the best learning style is for you.

This also goes hand-in-hand with the way you study. Make sure you know what studying strategy works best for you so that when it comes time to take an exam, you know how to review and study the material.

2. Feeling secluded

Sitting in your room a couple of hours a week attending an online course can feel lonely, especially if you are taking multiple online classes. Part of the experience of taking a class is going into a classroom and engaging with your classmates. This is taken away when attending online courses, which may be what some students prefer.

If you do feel like you are in a bubble, interact with your online classmates. Find them on social media or email them. Have conversations about the class material; you may come out with a new friend. If there is a big exam coming up, try to organize an in-person study group at a local coffee shop or somewhere on campus so you can interact with your classmates face-to-face.

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3. A bad study environment

Get rid of all distractions. When taking an online course in your bedroom, you can be easily distracted with thoughts such as, “I really have to clean my room,” and “My bed is right there, I could just take a quick nap.”

Pick a place where you take your online class, and only take it there. Just like a classroom, you should have an assigned location for learning new material and studying. This will improve your learning and help you get into a routine.

4. Not asking for help

Your professor will not be able to see your expression when you do not understand something he is teaching. Nobody will be able to tell that you are lost. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re taking this course to learn something new and the professor is there to teach it!

Send your professor an email when you have a question. If your professor hosts lectures where you can ask questions in real time, do it. There is less embarrassment in an online course because nobody can see you.

5. Poor time management

As with any class, you need to have impeccable time management skills. Nobody likes waiting until the last minute to start (and finish) an assignment for a class. It can be easy to forget about assignments or lessons while taking an online class because you don’t have to go anywhere.

This is where it becomes important to have a routine and a specific study space where you can do your work and attend your online class.

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6. Internet slang

It can be easy to slip into colloquial language and Internet slang when typing on a keyboard. While taking an online class, you must remember that you are still part of an academic environment. Your professor will still expect you to form complete sentences, spell out entire words, and does not want to see an Emoji pop up in any responses you submit.

If you use Internet slang and texting language, it may seem that you do not take the class seriously, which can offend the professor. It can also make you seem unintelligent.

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7. Tech problems

We all have those days where we think computers were invented to frustrate us and keep us from being productive. Make sure that your Internet connection is stable and you have a full battery. Close out of all programs and tabs that do not have to do with your online class, as this can slow your computer down.

Make sure that you are familiar with the programs required for the class. It can take a lot of time and energy to learn a new program while learning the material for the class.