INFORMATION FOR
Your academic success is very important to us, so we strongly encourage you to utilize all of the resources available to you. As an adult learner you have multiple responsibilities and limited time.
Adult Learner Tips for Online Success
Create a productive learning environment
Create an online learning environment in which you can be as productive as possible. If your home environment is too congested, find an alternative location, one that is comfortable and with the least number of distractions. Both the people around you and you will become acclimated to the environment.
Allocate a weekly schedule to complete coursework. Having a consistent schedule can help you develop a habit of attending to your coursework. You can also create a task list for each week either by using a calendar printed or an electronic calendar.
PSY 1100:
· Monday – (6:00-8:00) - Review course materials and review assignments for the week.
· Wednesday – (6:00-8:00) – Write and submit the initial discussion post.
· Saturday – (6:00-8:00) – Submit 3 additional responses to the discussion board.
· Sunday – 6:00-8:00 – Write and submit assignment OR Take quiz/test.
Form virtual interactions with other students. Use various virtual platforms to connect with other students (MS Teams, Blackboard Collaborate, cell phone list). Collaborating with other students can remove the potential isolation feelings and help you connect with others.
Get to know your professors. Know the best form of communication for each individual professor. Be proactive and ask questions about upcoming assignments. The key is to understand what the professor’s requirements for each assignment are and deliver the expectations (rubrics are included which include the grading expectations).
When reading and completing assignments try to find a connection to something you already are knowledgeable about. This will help you process the information better, retrieve it from your memory, and apply the information to your life.
Discover relevance to the topic you are studying. Think how this can be applied to your personal life, your work situation, your family, and even your civic involvement. Practicing this strategy will give your studying more purpose and motivation.
As an adult learner, you might be working full-time and have full-time family responsibilities. Taking breaks is healthy. Take breaks from looking at the screen – for better eye health. Sleep 7-8 hours a night – your body and mind need this recovery time. Remember to drink plenty of water, eat a healthy well-balanced diet, and exercise – all are important for your learning health.
Use the wide variety of support services made available to you online. The academic support center has a semester tutoring guide and schedule by semester. Through your Blackboard course, you can connect to tutor.com, a virtual tutoring connection. You can schedule online appointments with the writing center. If you are unsure about the resources, connect with your academic advisor or your professor.
Resources - Success Center - Tutoring Links
