Distance Learning Degree Program ? How to Study


The format of distance learning courses is different than what most students have experienced. The teaching style is more student directed and you will have to become accustomed to these differences. Distance learning relies heavily on technology. If you aren't computer and internet savvy, you will need to learn new skills, in addition to your coursework. Look for classes or workshops on computers and the internet. These are often available in public libraries or community centers. You may feel overwhelmed at the thought of taking another class, but the time you spend learning to use the technology will save you time in the long run.

Most colleges offer support for new students. Some schools may have orientation sessions at the start of a new semester. If your school offers this, plan on attending. You will gain valuable information about the structure of the course and the technology used. Instructors often give advice for organizing your time at these sessions. In addition, you will get a feel for the teacher's expectations. Most schools offer tutorials to help you learn to use the online classroom and other software used in distance learning programs.

Research papers are common assignments in both traditional and distance learning college courses. Utilize the resources offered by your college to help complete necessary research. If the school is in driving distance from your home, take advantage of the college library. Other colleges may allow you to use their library with a student ID from your school. Many schools offer an online library database. Learn to use the database to save time when researching. Quite a bit of research can be done online, which can save you time as well.

The workload in distance learning courses is similar to traditional college coursework. The basic format of most courses involves studying the text, completing assignments and taking exams. Just about all work will involve reading and writing, so take some time to improve your skills in these areas. You will most likely have a fair amount of reading assigned both in the text and from outside sources. Schedule enough time to complete all reading assignments. Get the textbooks early and read the first few chapters before classes start to become familiar with the material.

Taking non traditional college courses requires commitment and time management skills. The ability to work at your own pace can turn into procrastination. Set goals for yourself and make a schedule that will allow you to reach those goals in a reasonable amount of time. Plan on spending at least nine hours each week for each class you take. Schedule study time and stick to your schedule. It's important not to fall behind and even better to stay a week ahead of the class schedule.

You won't be completely isolated when taking distance learning courses. Stay in contact with your instructor and ask for feedback regularly. Instructors will have office hours when you can call, or you can stay in touch with email. You may be given opportunities to interact with other students through chats, message boards or online study groups. Take advantage of these opportunities, if studying with others is helpful to you. Some colleges offer online tutoring, usually in math and writing. Take advantage of every opportunity for the best experience.

Katie Robbins is a freelance writer for degreeclick.com, a web resource where she regularly publishes informative articles about online education. Some of the topics she covers include online universities, health care degrees, and criminal justice degrees.







Related News



Virginia Tech To Host Climate Change Summit; Hundreds Of Youth ... - WTKR Your NewsChannel 3

Voice of America

Virginia Tech To Host Climate Change Summit; Hundreds Of Youth ...
WTKR Your NewsChannel 3, VA -15 hours ago
... Radford University, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, University of Mary Washington, Virginia Commonwealth University, ...
Can one school's college democrats change a state from red to blue?College News
Republicans hope to improve their campaign grade by going back to ...Irish Times
College students face barriers to votingDetNews.com
Bloomberg - Barre Montpelier Times Argus
all 61 news articles

Usrey to leave dean’s post at Friends University - Bizjournals.com

Usrey to leave dean’s post at Friends University
Bizjournals.com, NC -18 hours ago
The dean of the Friends University College of Business, Arts, Sciences, and Education will be the next president of a Lithuanian university, ...
University of Memphis digs deeper to meet budget cutsMemphis Commercial Appeal
all 9 news articles

ND University System Chancellor Bill Goetz, Bismarck, column: ND ... - Grand Forks Herald

ND University System Chancellor Bill Goetz, Bismarck, column: ND ...
Grand Forks Herald, ND -4 hours ago
... the 2009-11 budget request also limits four-year university tuition increases to no more than 4 percent per year and holds community college tuition ...

Tenn. college student charged in e-mail threat - The Associated Press

CollegeOTR

Tenn. college student charged in e-mail threat
The Associated Press -Oct 9, 2008
(AP) — A 19-year-old student at Middle Tennessee State University has been arrested on terrorism charges after threatening e-mails forced the cancellation ...
Video: Tennessee Student Charged With TerrorismAssociatedPress
all 387 news articles

College gets grant to improve teaching in low-performing schools - Sacramento Bee

College gets grant to improve teaching in low-performing schools
Sacramento Bee,  USA -2 hours ago
... and Claremont Graduate University and Pomona Unified. The grant to Chico State's School of Education and College of Natural Sciences in partnership with ...
Feather River College and Chico State try new degree programCentral Valley Business Times
CSUCI enrollment period will end Nov. 30Camarillo Acorn
all 4 news articles

Metabolic Syndrome Raises Colon Cancer Risk 75% - Washington Post

Metabolic Syndrome Raises Colon Cancer Risk 75%
Washington Post, United States -12 hours ago
The finding stems from an analysis conducted by Scott Tenner and his colleagues from the State University of New York and New York College of Osteopathic ...
Lung cancer in non-smokers a separate diseaseReuters
all 11 news articles

Husson College to become a university - Portsmouth Herald News

Husson College to become a university
Portsmouth Herald News, NH -15 hours ago
By AP At the stroke of midnight Saturday, the Bangor school will be renamed Husson University. At homecoming festivities earlier in the day, Maine Gov. ...

Fired professor in noose incident sues Columbia - The Associated Press

1010 Wins

Fired professor in noose incident sues Columbia
The Associated Press -7 hours ago
NEW YORK (AP) — A black Columbia University teacher who reported finding a noose on her door is suing the New York City school for firing her after a ...
Professor in Columbia noose sandal sues over firing for plagiarismNew York Daily News
Fired Professor Madonna Constantine Sues ColumbiaCU Columbia Spectator
Fired Professor In Noose Incident Sues Columbia U.WNBC
all 140 news articles

Amid protests, ban lifted on dorm displays at University of Texas - Dallas Morning News

ABC News

Amid protests, ban lifted on dorm displays at University of Texas
Dallas Morning News, TX -Oct 10, 2008
But the adamant protests of the College Republicans, University Democrats and other students caused officials to rethink the policy, said Jeff Graves of the ...
UT reverses punishment of students for political signHouston Chronicle
University Of Texas Decides Not To Punish Students For Obama ...CollegeOTR
Texas Targets Two Students Over Political Window SignsU.S. News & World Report
Politico - Houston Chronicle
all 214 news articles

State school outshines private rivals - Independent

CollegeOTR

State school outshines private rivals
Independent, UK -10 hours ago
*Rafuku Kobuyashu: Cambridge, University College London, Imperial, London School of Economics and Royal Holloway. *Jitesh Mistry: University College London, ...
Degrees from top universities boost earning powerguardian.co.uk
Recognition where it's dueGlobe and Mail
Britons give California colleges the nodLos Angeles Times
Bloomberg - The Statesman
all 315 news articles