Tips for Succeeding in an Online Class
July 8, 2025 | Lisa Gibbs
With online education becoming a standard part of learning, mastering the critical skills needed to succeed in virtual classes is crucial. This guide provides practical strategies for thriving in the digital environment, from understanding the core components of virtual learning to tips for staying on track and achieving success.
What is Online Learning?
Online learning provides a convenient way for individuals to expand their educational opportunities. Whether the classes are synchronous with live, virtual instruction or asynchronous, offering self-paced studies, online learning provides the flexibility to learn from anywhere. UWF’s virtual courses often utilize various platforms, such as Canvas or Zoom, to give instruction and communicate with students. However, digital systems used by instructors can vary between schools or instructors.
Managing and succeeding in online classes requires self-discipline, effective time management and familiarity with the platforms used in the course. By mastering these skills, you will be well-equipped to navigate and complete an online course confidently.
Staying Engaged and Motivated
Maintaining self-discipline is key to completing an online course. Whether it is a synchronous or asynchronous course, virtual classes lack the prompts you typically experience in traditional settings that may keep you on track. For example, although synchronous online courses require you to meet at a specific time and date for instruction, it is easy to become tempted to skip classes as you do not have to commute to a physical location. Similarly, asynchronous courses are self-paced and require students to keep track of their progress throughout the class. Without the need to meet at a specific time or location, self-discipline becomes crucial to maintaining progression.
Explore these tips to grow your self-discipline and stay engaged and motivated in the course:
- Set goals: Having a goal to strive towards, whether big or small, can keep you motivated to keep going.
- Leverage resources: Explore free resources that can help provide support, such as the UWF Online Student Support Links and Resources page.
- Stay in touch: Whether synchronous or asynchronous, online courses still offer open communication between the student and instructor. If you are struggling or falling behind, have a conversation with your instructor.
Manage Your Time Efficiently
Finding methods to manage your time efficiently is crucial to staying on track. Review your course syllabus and create a study schedule that prioritizes tasks, outlines assignment deadlines and works around personal obligations. Utilize digital or physical planners to keep track of your work and regularly review your progress throughout the course. Having well-established time management skills will help maintain a consistent routine.
Know Your Platforms
Take the time to familiarize yourself with the course platform and online materials as soon as possible. If you are a first-time online student, it is important to know how to navigate the digital platforms that will be used for your course. While each class varies, UWF instructors typically utilize Canvas and Zoom to provide instruction for their students. Even if you’ve used these platforms before, it’s still a good idea to log in ahead of time and refresh your knowledge. They can be updated or changed between terms, so reviewing them before classes begin will help you avoid any surprises and ensure you're prepared.
- Canvas: Explore the UWF Public Knowledge Base to learn more about how to navigate through Canvas
- Zoom: Learn about Zoom with its free articles and resources
Take the Next Step
Now that you know how to tackle an online course with confidence and achieve success with virtual learning, take the next step with UWF Continuing Education. We offer a wide range of career training and skill development courses that explore endless possibilities. Get started today!
