Mastering the following five best practices for online learning will help you succeed in graduate school:

1. Create a routine to regularly access online material

2. Assess your academic strengths and preferences to recreate your best learning environment

3. Read course material thoroughly and ask questions proactively

4. Actively participate in threaded discussions, forums, chats, and online group work

5. Stay organized and be aware of dates and deadlines

Create a routine to regularly access online material

 

Online courses are asynchronous, but establishing a schedule is a key to successful online learning

• Consider setting a specific time every day or each week to log in or work on class material. Assess your academic strengths and preferences to recreate your best learning environment

• Try to recreate your ideal learning environment as best you can

• Consider the time of day, setting, and/or learning styles that have worked best for you. For example, do you need quiet or thrive in a busy coffee shop? Are you an early bird or night owl?

• Stay organized and be aware of dates and deadlines.