Online learning has a lot of advantages – including flexibility, affordability, and personalized learning – that can make college dreams a reality for many. However, there are some common pitfalls that can derail progress if you’re not aware of them.
Find out the biggest mistakes students make with online learning, how to spot them, and some practical tips to maximize success.
What Are Common Online Learning Pitfalls?
Poor Time Management and Procrastination
The biggest issue many students run into with online learning is poor time management. Without a set class time, or in some cases, strict deadlines, it’s easy to fall victim to small delays that snowball into late assignments, missed discussion posts, and rushed study sessions or projects. Worse yet, with some courses, missing or rushing through crucial modules can leave you too far behind to truly grasp the material.
Distractions in the Environment
In-person lectures provide a focused, distraction-free space. While you can get the same quality of learning in a virtual environment, trying to watch lectures at a crowded coffee shop or completing an assignment in a shared living space with the television, conversations, or phone notifications can wreck your focus. As your attention shifts, your comprehension may drop.
Poor Communication and Not Asking for Help
Without in-person components, students sometimes wait too long to ask for help or skip assignments altogether when they become overwhelmed. The confusion lingers, momentum and motivation fade, and it becomes much harder to get back on track.
Thinking Online Learning Is “Easier”
Another common mistake is assuming an online class will be easier than its in-person counterpart. In many programs, the rigor is identical. The main difference is that you have to manage the structure and accountability yourself – potentially leading to issues with academic performance.
Passive Consumption
While active engagement isn’t guaranteed in person, in-person learning environments tend to promote more interaction. Streaming online lectures gives you the option to increase the speed, pause, or skip as you want to get through the content faster, which can hinder your retention and recall.