Whether you want to build or advance your healthcare career, online classes provide a convenient and practical way to earn a degree or certificate. Although being an online learner has many benefits, it can also be difficult. Knowing how to learn online can help you prepare to tackle online learning challenges so you can thrive in your certificate or degree program.

Taking Online Classes

Online learners can take classes from the comfort of home instead of going to a campus. As an online student, you’ll also be able to learn at your own pace. Although you won’t need to set aside time to travel to and from campus and attend classes in person, online learning has its challenges. For example, you might find it harder to avoid distractions and concentrate on your studies. You might also have a more difficult time if you’re used to learning in a traditional classroom.

10 Tips for Digital Learning at CHCP

From managing your time wisely to asking for help, there are several ways an online student can manage themselves while taking an online program. The following tips for online classes can help you learn more about what to expect and how to handle digital learning challenges.

1. Time Management

Managing your time is integral to doing well in an online program. You’ll need time to review course materials, watch lectures, work on assignments, complete projects, and study for quizzes, tests, and finals. Time management skills help you figure out how to schedule your time so that you can handle all of these tasks. When you manage your time wisely, you’ll also be able to take care of responsibilities outside school.

2. Organization

Staying organized ties into time management. You won’t have to waste time searching for notes or other materials while trying to study or do class assignments if you get and stay organized. Keep school-related files on your computer or laptop organized, so you can easily access what you need. Keeping printed copies of your syllabus and other important material in file folders is also helpful.

3. Determine the Best Study Environment

Some people need a quiet place to study that’s free of distractions, while others can handle background noise while studying. Create a study space that works best for you based on the kind of study environment you thrive in. For example, you might set up a study area in a home office or another separate room where other family members won’t interrupt or distract you with noise. If you don’t have this kind of area in your home, consider listening to white noise or soft music with earbuds.

4. Create Good Study Habits

Good study habits make it much easier to do well in online classes. These habits include taking breaks during study sessions, spacing study sessions apart instead of trying to learn a lot at once, taking practice tests, and setting study goals. Other study habits you may find helpful in online school include joining online study groups, rewarding yourself for reaching school-related goals, and giving yourself enough time to study for tests instead of cramming the night before.

5. Brush Up on Your Technical Skills

Since your learning takes place online, you’ll need strong technical skills. While you don’t need an in-depth understanding of technology for online school, you should be comfortable with the software programs your school uses to ensure that you’re able to easily troubleshoot and handle any technical problems that occur. Doing this helps minimize disruptions to your study time and ensures that you can submit assignments and projects on time and take online quizzes and tests.

6. Open Communication with Instructors and Classmates

Although you won’t be with your instructors and classmates in person, you should still reach out to them. Maintaining open communication means getting help from your instructors for anything you don’t understand in your classes. Communicating with your classmates by posting messages and participating in online class discussions can help you arrange study groups, make new friends, and get support from your peers.

7. Stay Engaged

Taking online classes means you won’t have a chance to raise your hand to participate during class. However, online school provides other ways for students to stay engaged. You might be able to participate in online discussions that your instructors post, for example. You should also take advantage of opportunities to ask your instructors questions about the material being covered, further developing your understanding and showing you’re eager to learn.

8. Persistence, Independence, and Motivation

Being an online student can sometimes be difficult, but you can manage it when you stay persistent, get comfortable handling school independently, and stay motivated. These qualities provide the skills needed to keep up with your studies, even when you’re stressed. Working independently involves going through classes at your own pace while staying on top of all assignments and projects. Staying motivated helps you keep working on school-related tasks and studying, even when you don’t feel like it.

9. Stay Healthy

Taking care of your physical and emotional health is essential in online school. Finding ways to manage stress can help improve your emotional well-being. Eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep every night, and working out regularly are good ways to maintain physical health. You’ll also have the energy to concentrate on your classes, work on assignments, and study for tests.

10. Ask for Help

Even though you’re not in a classroom, you’re not alone as an online student. Make sure you reach out to your instructors for clarification or help as needed. You should also use other resources, such as advisors or counselors, for help when you want assistance choosing classes when you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Asking others for help is crucial to ensuring that you can handle the challenge of online school effectively.

Online Classes Help

The College of Health Care Professions offers several resources to help students with online learning, such as user-friendly technology and medical simulations, 24/7 IT support, tutoring services, academic advising, career services, and more! In addition to using these resources, you should also reach out to your class instructors and program director. Keep their contact information handy so you can get in touch with them as needed.

If you’re looking into online options for healthcare education, contact CHCP. Our school offers a wide range of online healthcare certificate and degree programs.