The Current 2020

Oreintation 2020 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 12 Education Acing Online Courses: It’s all in your Hands College is all about the experience There are two types of students: those who enjoy online classes and those who don’t. Regardless of your preference, it’s inevitable to participate in an online course during your college years. With that said, acing your online courses is entirely in your hands. Here’s how to assure success. Hold yourself accountable You should take your online classes just as seriously as your in-person classes. Just because the schedule is different and you’re not seeing your professor face-to-face doesn’t mean the class deserves less attention. Hold yourself accountable and put in effort for your online courses. Treat it like a real class: set goals for yourself, be consistent and be organized. Your success in an online course is determined by your discipline and motivation to meet the class’s requirements and do the work. Figure out how you learn best Different individuals learn in different ways, and with online classes, understanding the material and asking questions as they come is not always easy. Figure out what works best for you and how you learn best. If you’re an early bird, do your online assignments or studying in the morning. If you’re a night owl, set aside an hour or two before bed to learn the material and do the assignments. If you find yourself struggling in your online course, turn to other educational tools like YouTube videos, Coursera or edX to help you. You can also check out NSU’s Tutoring and Testing Center for an in-person helping hand. Manage your time Since online classes do not follow a schedule, in order to succeed, it is crucial to manage your time.At the start of the course, look at the syllabus and make a note of all important due dates and exam dates. Depending on the class itself, you may have to dedicate more time than for other classes. Find a time slot that works for you and plan a schedule to keep up with your online course(s). If you find yourself getting easily distracted or procrastinating, eliminate distractions by setting your phone aside or finding a quiet place to get your work done. Make connections If you’re taking an online course, chances are the class is a requirement for your major or graduation and/or we’re facing challenging times. With that said, it is just as important to make connections in your online courses as it is in your in-person courses. Connect with your online professor early on to establish a relationship and get the most out of the course. It is also a great idea to connect with your classmates and actively participate in discussions. This not only helps you understand the contents of the course on a deeper level, but you are also networking, which can be beneficial for the future in whatever industry you’re interested in. College is what you make of it and the same goes for online classes. If you put in the time and effort, you’re bound to see your growth and success. PRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM F. MIRELES Senior, Flor Ana Mireles working on her online class at home By: Flor Ana Mireles Copy Editor By: Christina McLaughlin Co-Editor-in-Chief If you haven’t heard it already, college is meant to be a time in your life that you will make memories you will never forget and receive an education at the same time. It’s a staple to hear adults and those slightly older tell you the tales from yesteryear while they were in college, the fun party stories, the long-lasting friendships and success and failures of that time in their life and their college experience. And while this conversation may be unwarranted or a conversation you weren’t looking for, it is key to take something very important from it. In one way or another, your college experience may change your outlook on things or deeply impact your future. These are your formative years where you may find your potential career, get your first paying job, live on your own for the first time or make your own decisions or formulate your own opinions without your parents approval or guidance. These are important milestones in your life that you will most likely experience while you are here at NSU. Among these personal developments you may also have incredible experiences like those stories that you are now accustomed to hearing. One important thing that is always glossed over when it comes to the stories and jokes shared from this time is the education. The classroom meetings and lectures, the long nights studying during midterms and finals week, the first F and the first A. What we tend to forget after the fact, is without the education and classroom learning experience we gain on- campus or online, we cannot make these long- lasting memories. They are why we are all here at NSU. Why we are living on our own, how we make friends and the all-encompassing reason why these memories last a lifetime are what make college a special time in your life and a unique experience different from any other you may experience. This is why it is so cherished in people's minds. So how does this impact you and what’s the point of me bringing this up? Well, there are a lot of us out there going into college who feel maybe a little unsure of how we can make the most of our time here and create those memories that last a lifetime that we keep hearing about. For everyone, that answer may be different, but the beautiful thing about college is that it is all up to you and the world -- at least your world in college -- is your oyster. If you are someone who thrives in socialized settings and wants to make new friends fast, join organizations on campus, maybe even a pre-professional fraternity or Greek life. If you consider yourself more of an introvert and are choosy when it comes to picking friends, try starting out with your roommate or extending a helping hand to someone in your class. NSU is a place that has plenty of options to suit your needs to socialize, have fun and most importantly, educate yourself in the field of your choosing. So, how do you create those memories that you will eventually share with the next generation of college kids and friends and family? Easy. Get involved in whatever way makes you most comfortable and make the most of your educational experience PRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM C. MCLAUGHLIN