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.
Start a free trial no credit card required!
Try a Sophia course for free. Your free trial work is applied toward course credit when you become a member.
E-Learning Tips for Success
If you notice any of the pitfalls in yourself – or think they may happen to you – awareness is the first step. These e-learning tips can help you avoid the common pitfalls and set yourself up for success.
Set Realistic Check-Ins and Small Goals
Time-box your week: Block two or three recurring study windows on your calendar and treat them like in-person lectures that you can’t miss.
Use the “10-minute rule”: When you feel stuck, commit to working for just 10 minutes before taking a break. Getting your momentum going may shift your mind to study mode.
Plan backwards: For each assignment, use backward planning to set time to complete it without rushing. For example, assign yourself milestones for an essay outline, draft, proof, and final. This gives you time to course-correct and stay on track.
Plan your next session: Every time you finish a study block or assignment, schedule the next task on your list and set a goal for yourself.
Build a Distraction-Free Study Area
Designate a study zone: Choose a quiet, consistent area with a comfortable chair and work surface you don’t associate with entertainment. If your home is busy, try noise-canceling headphones.
Minimize digital noise: Before your study session, silence your phone notifications, close any tabs not related to your course, and use full-screen mode.
Prep materials: Open your learning platform, syllabus, and notes, and download any readings so you’re not searching for them in the middle of your session.
Engage with Your Class
Ask questions early: If you have a question, post in the discussion forum or message your instructor as soon as something is unclear.
Use office hours: Even a short check-in with your instructor can illuminate any concepts you may be struggling with and save you a lot of time and stress in the future.
Fully engage in discussions: Discussions are an opportunity to deepen your learning. Reference the reading, add an example, or pose a question to your peers in discussions.
Form a study group: Small study groups that meet for a brief period each week can make a big difference. You can learn from each other and hold each other accountable.
Treat It Like an In-Person Class
Match the rigor: Budget the same hours to online learning that you would for an in-person course.
Learn the structure: Online learning is flexible, but the routine is up to you. Protect your study blocks like in-person classes you can’t miss.
Take purposeful notes: Use a simple structure like “Key idea > example > how it connects to the concepts.”
Teach to someone else: Explain the course concept to a friend or someone in your study group. If you can teach it, you understand it.
Is Online Learning Right for Me?
Online learning helps make education accessible for many people, but it’s not the right choice for everyone.
If you need flexibility to manage your responsibilities to work or family, online learning is a great choice. With recorded lectures and asynchronous discussions, you can take your time with the material and test yourself. However, this flexibility can be a pitfall, so you need to be comfortable setting and following your own schedule.
Conversely, if you are more productive with the active engagement of in-person lectures and face-to-face interaction – or prefer hands-on labs or studio time – traditional learning may be the better choice for you. This is also ideal if you don’t have an environment that allows for a distraction-free study space.
There is a third option: hybrid learning. Many schools offer hybrid programs that combine flexible virtual learning with occasional in-person lectures or sessions. This can be a good choice if you have the discipline for online learning but want some hands-on experience or in-person check-ins with peers.
Want to Try Online Learning?
If you want to test the waters with online learning, you can start small with Sophia Learning and see if this format works for you and your learning style. Browse our self-paced, fully online courses and start your free trial today!
