Tips to Get the Most Out of Online Classes

An online degree program can offer the flexibility and freedom that a traditional program cannot. You can attend class where you want, when you want, and without a commute back and forth to a college campus. An online degree program can also offer more than just a degree. It can provide valuable resources that can help you as both a student and an alum. If you’re new to the world of online education or want to find out how to reap the full benefits of your program, here are some tips for taking online classes.

Connect with Your Online Classmates

Socialize with your classmates online by taking advantage of the discussion boards, group forums, or chat features that your webcourses may offer. These are great places to share ideas, ask questions, and get to know your peers better. You can also follow your school’s social media accounts and reply to posts and comments to build a sense of camaraderie with students, faculty, and alumni.

Another great way to connect with others is to participate in student organizations. At National American University, we offer the Student Veteran’s Association as well as the Order of the Sword and Shield, an academic and professional honors society for students in the emergency management, homeland security, intelligence, and all protective security disciplines.

Ask for Help During Your Online Classes

Your professors can offer you tips for online classes. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors if you need clarification on a particular concept or assignment. That’s what they’re there for—to help you learn. You should also take advantage of the resources that your school offers. National American University has a variety of learner resources that can give you a boost when you need extra help:

• Tutoring: Do you need assistance with a particular subject? For select courses, you can request tutoring services through SmartThinking Online Tutoring.
• Online Library: NAU’s library offers access to books and scholarly journals, and also writing resources, tutorials, and webinars to augment your learning. You can even reach out to a librarian through the Ask-a-Librarian chat feature to get your questions answered.
• OneStop: Having a technology issue? Head over to OneStop, your one-stop shop for tech answers. Here, you can troubleshoot problems with your browser, email, or webcourses. You can also access the student portal and online bookstore.
• Student Services Advisor: Do you have questions about the degree program itself? Reach out to your student services advisor. From the moment you enroll at NAU, you’ll be assigned a student services advisor who can help you achieve your academic goals.

Set Yourself Up for Success with Online Career Resources

Your student services advisor can help you decide which academic program is best for you, and help you navigate it, from enrollment through graduation. But before you complete your degree, you’ll want to think about the type of job you want and how you can attain it. This is where NAU’s Career Resources can help. NAU offers several career resources that can help you in your job search. Here are a couple to get you started:

• Job and Career Accelerator: This online career guidance system will help you build a resume and cover letter, and search for a job.
• Interview Tools: One of the hardest parts of the job search is the job interview. With our interview tools, hone your skills and overcome your weaknesses to ace the interview process.

What if you recently graduated and didn’t get the chance to take advantage of these opportunities? As an alum of NAU, you can still access these resources and request job search assistance through your student services advisor. You can also brush up on your skills through tuition-free classes. NAU will allow you to audit the courses you’ve already taken and passed so you can keep up to date on industry practices.

NAU has been a leader in online education for more than 20 years. We offer a wide range of programs across industries and majors. Call 800-209-0182 to speak to a counselor today.