Many students at both Ohio State and Ohio University take classes online, including many students staying in off-campus rental housing in both Columbus and Athens. Online classes allow for flexibility in your schedule and convenience. You could even take them from the comfort of your college rental home in your underwear.
However, online learning is quite a bit different than traditional in-person classes. For starters, you don’t have the usual face-to-face contact with your professor and your peers. Some online courses are less structured than traditional classes, so proactiveness and finding ways to fit readings and coursework into your daily life is a must. So, you’re taking at least some online classes from your Athens or Columbus rental housing. How do you navigate this less structured environment without flunking out?
Here are seven strategies to rock online learning.
Set a Schedule.
Virtual learning takes discipline. It helps to set a schedule early on. Treat your day like you would any other day on campus – even if you aren’t leaving your off-campus rental house or apartment. Plan to get up at the same time every day. Schedule time to attend your online classes, as well as keep up on the readings and other assignments.
Create a To-Do List Every Day.
Include simple, easy-to-do things on your list, like getting up, eating breakfast, heck – even making a list. Cross each item off as it’s done. This will give you a sense of accomplishment. Break everything down into simple achievable steps, and you will more quickly reach your goal. Though, don’t cheat yourself by making a list that’s too short or too easy. Challenge yourself to accomplish a lot from the comfort of your Columbus or Athens rental housing.
Don’t Fall Behind on Studying
It’s easy to fall behind doing virtual learning. There’s no one holding your hand, no one watching over your shoulder. It’s easy to just mope and nap around your apartment or house. It’s amazing how fast time can pass when you’re trying to avoid applying yourself to work that maybe isn’t as riveting as it could be. If you find yourself defaulting to Twitter or Instagram instead of doing something constructive, or heaven forbid, playing video games, whack yourself in the noggin. Time-wasting means exactly that – spending time on relatively worthless pursuits while important tasks and goals fall by the wayside.
But just because you’re learning online doesn’t mean you aren’t also taking actual classes. You’re still an Ohio University or OSU student, whether you’re virtual learning in your University District apartment in Columbus or living in Athens in student rental on Court Street. Make studying a priority just as if you were physically going to class.
Group Study via Zoom
Friends and study partners help you learn. You can share tips and study techniques, quiz each other, inspire and cheer each other on. Study groups are an important part of surviving any college course – and that includes online courses.
Zoom and WhatsApp provide virtual meeting options so you can study together if you all can’t meet at the same place. These apps also allow for easy messaging so you can communicate and share notes, website addresses, poop and unicorn emojis. You can also share screens.
Just try to restrain yourself from goofing off while meeting online; avoid swiveling your computer’s camera to show off Muffy the Cat or Frisky the Dog.
Get Outside
Make time to get outside if you’re stuck in your off-campus rental apartment taking virtual classes all day. Meet friends later in the day for dinner or drinks. Get out for a walk, a jog, a bike ride. Stroud’s Run State Park is a 10-minute drive from your Athens apartment, even if you live in the middle of Court Street. The Ridges is even closer – a 15-minute walk from off-campus neighborhoods.
If you’re an Ohio State student, get out of your off-campus apartment and drive to a Columbus Metro Park. Go for a hike and experience moments of mindfulness in the woods. It’s good for your body, great for your soul.
Make Time for Hobbies
College can’t be all work, especially if you’re learning online. Don’t forget to make time for a few hobbies. Put together a puzzle. Take some time for free drawing. Catch up on your favorite bands. Start a stamp collection.
Even when you’re stuck in your Ohio State or Ohio University rental, you still need to live. All work and no play make you want to cut Jack Nicholson’s head off with an ax. Take care of yourself.
Don’t Forget to Have Fun – TeleSocialize
Taking online classes from home can be isolating if you’re not making a point to get out and see friends in person. This can lead to depression, which can ruin your studies and devastate your mental health. Don’t forget to socialize. Plan happy hours where you can get together and party with friends. If you don’t drink, you can plan a coffee date or dinner party. Do it with multiple people. Have friends over to your apartment in Athens or Columbus, Ohio when you wrap up your classes for the day. Anything you can do to get social and physical contact with other people will supplement your online learning.