Whether you’re returning to school after a break or planning for a career change, attending college as an adult can be both exciting and overwhelming. Balancing studies with the responsibilities of daily life can be challenging, but the right learning strategies can ensure you thrive in your courses.
Understanding Learning Strategies
Learning strategies are techniques that help you learn and retain information more effectively. Using different online learning strategies as an adult learner can help you get the most out of your digital coursework and stay engaged throughout your educational experience.
Active Learning Strategies for Online Classes
Engaging with Course Material
Active learning keeps you engaged with your course material, rather than passively receiving information. It’s important to take structured notes while watching lectures or reading course materials to reference when you study or test your knowledge. Make sure to summarize the key points in your own words, which clarifies and reinforces your understanding of the course concepts. If you’re struggling with any concepts, ask questions and get clarification from your instructor.
Participating in Discussions
Many online courses offer discussion boards or forums for group learning. Actively participating in discussions and challenging yourself helps you deepen your understanding through diverse perspectives and build connections with peers, which is important in a virtual setting without in-person interaction. Engaging in discussions can also improve your critical thinking skills as you analyze information and develop your reasoning.
Applying Knowledge Practically
One of the best ways to understand and retain information is through real-world situations. As you work on hands-on projects, case studies, or apply concepts to your job, the information may become more relevant and useful.
Success Strategies for Online Learning
Create a Dedicated Study Space
You should have a designated, distraction-free study area for online learning. A quiet location with minimal interruptions or distractions ensures you can focus on your studies and get the most out of your study time.
Set up your space with an ergonomic setup and proper lighting. Stock it with any necessary materials, such as your laptop or computer, notebooks, pens and pencils, textbooks, sticky notes, index cards, or any other materials you may need to complete your courses. Staying organized helps you maximize your study time.
Improve Time Management
Effective time management is important to ensure steady progress and prevent procrastination, which can be a challenge with online learning. Make sure you develop a structured study schedule that fits your lifestyle, including building in time for assignments that may take longer than you anticipate. Planning your study time early helps you prepare for the unexpected and still meet your assignment deadlines.
Some students find it effective to break coursework into manageable chunks, which can make the work feel more attainable and less overwhelming. It may help to set a timer for 15- or 20-minute increments, then take a short break in between each task.
Use Available Resources
Online colleges and learning platforms offer resources to assist students with learning, including digital libraries, research databases, and academic support services like tutoring, writing centers, or learning coaches. Make sure you take advantage of any resources available to you. If you’re not sure what options the school offers, speak with your advisor.
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How to Be Successful in Online Classes
Self-Motivation and Discipline
Without the structure of a traditional classroom, it can be more difficult to stay motivated throughout your courses. Online learners need to be self-starters, especially as adults, so set realistic personal learning goals for yourself and track your progress. Once you complete your tasks or milestones, reward yourself. Your rewards could be simple but beneficial, such as treating yourself to a nap, enjoying hobbies for an hour, or even taking a short walk outside.
Seeking Feedback
Regular feedback helps you explore your strengths and weaknesses to refine your learning strategies. Actively seek input from your instructors and peers to identify concepts you may not understand fully or aspects of your assignments you could improve upon, such as organization or writing skills. Use the feedback to enhance your coursework and assignments.
Networking
Building connections with fellow learners fosters collaboration and support, and depending on your industry, may help when it comes time for job seeking. Study groups and forums foster accountability and allow you to share course insights and study tips with others while you’re in school, and expand your professional networks once you graduate.
Leveraging Sophia’s Resources for Online Learning Success
If you’re an adult learner returning to school, Sophia is a great way to get back in the groove and complete affordable general education courses on your own time. All Sophia courses are flexible and self-paced, designed specifically for adult learners with busy schedules, and offered in a simple subscription format.
With a vast network of partner schools, and courses designed to transfer for credit, Sophia can help you to help you save time and money on your degree. However, you should always check with your admissions advisor at your college or university to understand their credit transfer policies.
Many adult learners have used Sophia’s courses to achieve their educational and career goals. Some of Sophia’s star graduates were adult learners relying on Sophia as a vital stepping stone to advanced degrees or fast-tracking undergraduate degrees and preparing for work in the field. Other students benefit from the affordable, accessible courses provided in a structure that makes it easy to balance courses with daily responsibilities.
Realize Your Dream of Higher Education
Succeeding in online learning as an adult learner takes a proactive approach and strong strategies to make the most of your learning experience. If you’re ready to take the next step, explore Sophia’s online courses and start your free trial today!
