Skills for Success in an Online Course
Taking an online course is a great way to learn! You can study when it works best for you. That flexibility is one of the biggest benefits of online learning.
But remember: even though the course is flexible, there are still deadlines for many course activities! It’s important to plan ahead so you don’t fall behind. Staying organized will help you make the most of that flexibility while keeping up with your work.
To be successful in an online course, you’ll need a few key skills. These include self-direction, motivation, time management, reading comprehension, and effective communication. The sections below explain what each of these skills means in an online learning environment — and how you can strengthen them as you begin your course.
Being successful in an online course starts with being prepared and staying motivated. Unlike in-person classes, online courses require you to take the lead — from logging in regularly to managing your time and understanding your course requirements. The tips below will help you get started on the right foot and stay on track throughout the semester. Building good habits from the beginning will help you stay on track and feel confident throughout the semester.
Below, we have outlined a few tips and strategies you can use to prepare for your online experience. Many of these activities can be completed before your course even opens, so the sooner you begin to prepare, the more successful you will be.
Prepare Your Learning Environment
Prior to the beginning of the semester, you can prepare the space in which you plan to work on your course. Think about what type of environment works best for you. Do you like to work in a quiet place with no distractions? If so, take this into account when planning your workspace. If you are better able to work if there is a bit of background noise, then plan that type of location. The important thing is that you choose an area that works best for you. Make your space comfortable and stock it with items that you will need. Having a dedicated space such as this will help you later on in sticking to a routine. Consider it the equivalent of your face-to-face classroom or the campus library. If there isn’t a suitable environment in which you can work where you reside or work, perhaps a local library would be appropriate. You can still prepare by collecting all items that you will need for your course (such as a laptop, supplies, books, etc.) and keeping them in a bag that is dedicated to your course and ready to go whenever you are.
Become Comfortable With Your Techology
This is a very important step to complete prior to the start of a semester. Once a course begins, the majority of your time will be taken by the work in the course. If you also need to learn how to use your computer and need to update, or change computer settings to work with your online course, it may lead to a very frustrating situation for you. As soon as your account is created and you are able to log in to the Learning Management System (which typically occurs prior to the course becoming available to you) you should take advantage of the tools which allow you to check your browser for compatibility with the online system used at the college and make adjustments as necessary before the start of the semester.
Make Sure You Will Have Access to Your Textbooks and Other Required Materials
Even though your course is online, you most likely will need to also purchase a textbook(s). A listing of the textbooks required for a particular section of a course can be found on the SUNY Broome’s Bookstore website. Online courses are often very fast-paced and require the use of the textbook and/or other materials on the first day of class. If you have opted in to the Buzz Bundle, many of your textbook materials may be automatically available to you through your Brightspace Course. Be sure to know whether you are opted in to the Buzz Bundle or if you have to purchase your class textbook and materials separately.
Orient Yourself to the Learning Management System
Orient Yourself to the Learning Management SystemSUNY Broome’s Learning Management System, currently Brightspace, contains a link to the Brightspace Basics Brightspace for Students Orientation. This Orientation serves as a resource to assist you in learning how to navigate an online course, use the various tools within Brightspace, get you up to speed with what online learning is all about, learn the skills needed for success, and show you where to find help. Keep in mind that while your actual course may look a bit different from the orientation, you will still get the look and feel of an online course and be able to practice the skills you will need.
Note: All SUNY Broome students are automatically enrolled in the Brightspace Basics Brightspace for Students Orientation course. Many online courses at SUNY Broome require students to complete the orientation and pass all of the knowledge checks it contains as one of the first required activities.
Familiarize Yourself With the Course Syllabus, Layout and Requirements
As soon as you have access to your online course (typically on or shorly before the first day of the semester) the most important thing you need to do first is to read and study any Course Information that the instructor has posted. The Course Information typically contains the Course Syllabus, Course Assignment Schedule and other information regarding the expectations in your section. It is imperative that you read and understand all of these documents prior to accessing the course content material. The last thing that you want to do is to jump in blindly without an understanding of what your instructor expects of you. You want to make sure to have the most positive experience in the course, so be sure to ask your instructor questions if any of the course expectations are unclear to you.
The ability to manage your time and prioritize commitments is crucial for success in an online course. While online courses offer much flexibility and the advantage of working on days and times that fit your schedule, time can also work against you if you misjudge how many hours your assignments will take or spend too much time on activities that will not help you be successful in the course. While every online course has different requirements, a typical rule of thumb regarding time is to expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours per week outside of class for each credit hour of class time. That means, for a 3-credit course, you should expect to spend 9 hours per week outside of the classroom. This is in addition to the three hours of class time that you would have spent in the classroom had the course been face-to-face. That makes a total minimum of 12 hours per week spent on a 3-credit online course. Remember, that is the minimum that you should plan for. It is quite possible that your online course may require additional time above and beyond the minimum. Below are a few tips and strategies that might help you manage your time and prioritize your commitments.
Prioritize All of The Commitments in Your Life
When planning to take an online course you will need to determine whether or not you will be able to make it a priority in your life. We just learned that an online student should expect to spend a minimum of 12 hours per week on coursework. Prior to the beginning of the semester, it is often helpful to create a list that includes all of the responsibilities and activities that are important to you — remembering to include your online course in this list! Be sure to include all activities such as sleeping, eating, studying, work and leisure time. Now, rank this list and try to determine the time demand of each of the items. You may find that you might need to adjust the time allotment or re-rank a few priorities in order to dedicate enough time for your course, but keep in mind that it is very important to have a well-balanced scheduled for success.
Make a Plan and Stick To It!
Once your responsibilities and activities are prioritized, you will need to make a plan and schedule your time. If you have never used a calendar or planner before, get one! You will find that it will be your friend. Begin by looking at the entire semester. If a Course Schedule is posted, print it out and note important dates on your calendar. You will want to make sure to included dates that modules open or close, due dates for assignments and exams and other important class events. Next, schedule events in your life outside of your class. These would include, work, family commitments, leisure activities, travel plans, etc. Compare the timing of these events with the schedule for your course and note any conflicts that might need attention or advanced planning.
Once the basic structure of your semester is outlined, it is time to look at each week and identify which days within each have open time that may be scheduled for work on your course. When scheduling your course “work time” keep in mind your personal habits and preferences and choose times that best fit your lifestyle. For example, if you are an early riser, and work best in the morning, perhaps that would be a good time for you to work on your course. Likewise, if you go to bed early, late night would probably not be the best time for you to work. The important thing is to find time that works for you and ideally schedule your time in advance. It is often helpful to set aside the same times and days of each week, keeping in mind, of course, you may need to be flexible as unforeseen things arise. The important point here is that one of the biggest keys to success is to create a schedule, plan a routine and stick to it.
Avoid Falling Behind
Even with a carefully laid out plan, many online students find themselves in a position where they fall behind. Once behind, it can be very difficult to catch up. Many students make a common mistake when this happens by not rescheduling their time and instead following their original schedule and focusing on the late work before moving on to new material. They then remain behind on the next assignment, and the next and find it extremely difficult to get back on track. Should you find yourself in a position where you have missed an assignment or have fallen behind, the best thing you can do is to immediately take a look at your schedule and re-prioritize your commitments to accommodate for making up the work and continuing on with the new material being presented.
Break Down Large Tasks Into Small Ones
If your course requires a large project, research paper or other major activity or assignment, a great strategy is to break it up into smaller tasks. Even though there might not be intermediate due dates for the individual pieces involved in the major task, they can still be included in your schedule and added to your calendar. For example, when faced with a midterm research paper, you can set weekly goals for yourself and included them in your schedule. In one week, you may want to draft an outline of your plan for the assignment, then have additional deadlines set for completing research, then another deadline for the draft of the paper, and finally the ultimate due date. Breaking down a larger assignment in this manner makes it more manageable and will most likely result in a higher-quality submission.
Do Not Procrastinate!
We have already discussed the importance of setting a schedule and sticking to it. Doing so requires a great deal of self-discipline and the formation of good study/work habits. The nature of a face-to-face course may make it a bit easier for some students to stay on track since there are designated meeting times with an official “check-in” with the instructor and classmates. An online course with no synchronous components could lead to the temptation of procrastination. Suggestions for avoiding this pitfall include logging in regularly to check for course mail, announcements, and discussion postings, beginning assignments early, and not waiting until the last minute that an assignment is due to submit.
Waiting until the last minute may leave you without enough time to ask your instructor questions or get help if you run into problems — and that can affect your success.
The ability to read for comprehension is essential for success in an online course. The online classroom relies heavily on the written word with not only readings assigned from the textbook, but also required text-based lectures. While many courses do include audio and video components that enhance the material presented, course interaction in the majority of online courses is conducted primarily in writing. It is expected that the online student is able to combine reading from the textbook, lecture documents and class notes and incorporate the information learned into class discussions, written assignments and exams. Therefore, the successful online student needs to be able to read actively as well as think and learn independently as they read. Outlined below are tips and strategies that might help you develop your reading skills.
Determine the Time of Day and Location in Which You Can Read Most Effectively
Determine the Time of Day and Location in Which You Can Read Most EffectivelyYou want to schedule your reading assignments during a time of day that you are most alert and able to concentrate. For some, this may be early in the day and for others a later routine may work best. Either way, make sure to not read when you are extremely tired. You will also need to determine a type of location that works best for and allows you to derive the most learning possible from your reading. Again, this differs for different people. Some require complete silence (such as a library or closed off room) in order to sufficiently concentrate. Others prefer to have a bit of background noise such as music or soft background noise. Once an ideal time of day and location are established, be sure to add appropriate reading time slots to your schedule.
Break Your Reading Up Into Segments That Work For You
Think about realistically how long can you read effectively without taking a break. For example, you may determine that 40 minutes of straight reading on a particular subject is your limit before needing a brief break. Schedule this into your plan. The goal is to maximize your comprehension of the material as you read and if taking a break works to achieve this goal, then make sure you do. You will be able to come back to the material refreshed and continue with another 40 minute segment.
Briefly Review the Entire Reading Assignment Prior to Sitting Down to Read For Comprehension
Skimming the complete Chapter or Online Lecture Assignment prior to reading the text in its entirety will give you an overview of what you will be learning and prepare you for the material to come. By scanning the key points before reading about them, you will be in the proper frame of mind when they come up in the reading, thereby improving your comprehension of the material.
Take Notes as You Read
Taking notes as you read will increase your comprehension of the material. To further expand upon your understanding, it is helpful to relate what you are reading with the material that exists in the lecture notes and class discussions. Summarizing all reading assignments in this fashion will help you build a comprehensive study guide in your own words that can be used in preparing for discussions, assignments and exams.
In an online course, strong communication and reading comprehension skills are essential for success. Because most of the learning takes place through reading course materials and writing assignments or discussion posts, students need to be comfortable expressing their ideas clearly and professionally. Unlike face-to-face classes, online courses lack body language and tone, so choosing your words carefully and reading instructions thoroughly is especially important. These skills help create a respectful and productive learning environment where ideas can be shared and understood accurately.
Plan and Draft Written Assignments Early
Begin your writing assignments well in advance—especially if they include multiple parts. Create outlines to organize your ideas, write multiple drafts, and read your work aloud to catch unclear phrasing or missing ideas.
Participate Thoughtfully in Discussions
Read prompts and peer posts carefully. Draft your responses offline before submitting, giving yourself time to reflect and revise. This helps ensure your message is clear and complete—and reduces the risk of losing work due to technical issues.
Check Spelling, Grammar, and Tone
Proofread everything you write, even in discussion boards. Clear, professional writing builds your credibility. Watch for tone, especially since online messages lack vocal and visual cues that help convey emotion.
Be Respectful and Practice Good Netiquette
Treat others with courtesy and respect. Avoid sarcasm or humor that could be misunderstood. Always assume good intent, and follow any discussion guidelines your instructor provides.
Ask Questions When You Need Help
If you’re unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask your instructor. Instructors can’t see confused expressions or body language online—it’s up to you to speak up when clarification is needed.
Use Specific Subject Lines in Messages and Emails
When sending emails or course messages, use clear and specific subject lines (e.g., “Question about Assignment 2” instead of just “Help”). This helps instructors respond efficiently and know what your message is about at a glance.
Refer to Course Materials and Be Clear in Your References
When discussing content or asking a question, refer to specific readings, assignments, or modules. For example, say “In Module 3’s reading on research methods…” instead of “In the reading…” This helps keep communication focused and understandable.
Avoid Texting Language or Slang
While texting abbreviations might be fine in casual communication, academic settings require more formal writing. Avoid shorthand like “u,” “idk,” or emojis, unless your instructor encourages a more informal tone.
Use Paragraphs and Formatting to Organize Thoughts
Break up long blocks of text into paragraphs. Use bullet points, numbered lists, or headings (if allowed) to make your writing easier to follow. This is especially helpful in discussion posts or long responses.
Take Time to Reflect Before Responding Emotionally
If you disagree with a peer or receive feedback that feels frustrating, take a moment before replying. Stay calm, respectful, and constructive in your response to maintain a positive learning environment.