How to Succeed at Distance Learning and Correspondence Courses
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Many people believe that to go to school, you have to go to school, but that's just not true anymore. Today, plenty of schools are happy to bring their instruction right to your computer. They'll teach you everything from first-year English, to how to manage an online business. Learning by correspondence isn't for everyone, but it is an alternative for many students.
If your idea of the perfect learning situation is to work on your computer at 2:00 a.m., then you're an ideal candidate for learning at home. There are hundreds of schools world-wide that offer online courses. But closer to home, there are several Northern Nevada campuses that also offer the option of studying online. Studying at home can be a real challenge for those students who are "organizationally impaired." If you want to know how to succeed at an online correspondence course, follow these easy steps, and earn those credits!
Set a Study Schedule
Studying at home may sound like a dream come true, but there are some things to remember about Distance Education. Your success depends directly on your motivation and organization. The most successful students set a schedule and stick to it. Even if you can only work on your class an hour or so a week, you will get better results if you stick to that schedule. Make the schedule specific. Example: "I will work on my course every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for an hour after work." Be as specific as you are with any other important area of your life.
Follow the Syllabus Instructions
Your course syllabus will give you the assignments you need to turn in to your instructor. Be sure to follow the directions in the syllabus, which outlines how many lessons you can turn in per week. Each school sets their own policy on how quickly you can complete their courses. Correspondence Study isn't necessarily a "quick alternative" to traditional classes. Remember, you're not the only student the instructor is teaching, so be realistic with your time frame and completion goals!
Read the Material
This may sound simple, but it's the basis of your whole successful study habits. Read thoroughly. Some people find underlining or highlighting key points is a big help. Re-read anything that doesn't make sense to you the first time. Read ALL the material, not just the key points that will answer the questions you need to turn in to your instructor. You never know what they're going to put onto the test, so read everything! Think about what you've read! Again, this sounds obvious, but if you can relate the material to something you're familiar with, you're more apt to remember it later.
Make Outlines or Notes
Outlines and notes will help you remember the material in your textbooks until you can form it into coherent answers. I take my notes in long hand, then retype them into the computer when I'm done. This helps me form my thoughts, and add material that I've learned as I've read. I've talked with many other students' who transcribe their lessons directly into the computer as they read. There is no "right" way, only the way that works best for you.
Turn in Those Lessons
Since you never get to meet your instructor, the only way he or she knows you understand the material is by the written lessons you complete. Make sure they are in-depth, not one or two word answers. Answer each question completely. If you don't understand something, email your instructor for an explanation. You can also call the school. Most instructors have offices on campus, and you can contact them during office hours with your questions.
Study for Your Test
When you receive your corrected lessons back from your instructor, keep them, so you can study and refer to them before you take your exams. Information about your specific exams should be in your course syllabus. If it isn't, contact your instructor or correspondence study office so you know what to study for the test. Tests are usually sent to an approved proctor that you choose in your area. If there is a self-test in your syllabus, take it! Most instructors I've talked with say students who take the self-tests almost always do better on the actual test than those who don't.
What You Get for Your Hard Work
First, you get the satisfaction of finishing a course on your own. You're a little bit smarter than you were. Statistics show that most correspondence students feel they learn more from their correspondence courses than in classes they have taken on campus. Now you know how to study by yourself, so go on, get that degree!