The 8 Common Mistakes of Online Students

If you're just starting out as an online student you may make a few mistakes but hopefully with my help you can be a little more aware of what you're jumping into. Here are the top 8 most common mistakes that new online students make.

1. Signing Up With a Non-Accredited School

This may come as a surprise to you but there are many schools out there that will rip you off! These schools are not accredited, meaning if you earned a degree from a non-accredited school your degree wouldn't be worth anything anywhere. If you make the mistake of going to a non-accredited school the credits you earn there (if any) will not transfer to a school that is accredited. Do your research!

2. Biting Off More Than You Can Chew

This is a big one. Not only will you have to budget out your class time with work and other activities you absolutely must budget in study time or you may find yourself falling behind quickly. A good rule of thumb is for every one hour of class time you have, budget two hours of study time.

3. Forgetting To Take Your Learning Style Into Account

Consider how you learn. Do you learn better with hands on activities? Do you retain more by listening to a teacher and writing notes? Or can you learn by reading? Students that need hands on activities and visuals may have a harder time learning in an online setting. If you can retain information from reading online, than you may fair better.

4. Not Matching Your Technology With The Schools

In other words, dial up internet isn't going to cut it. You have to have a good computer and a steady, fast internet connection. You don’t want to be wasting your time waiting for the internet to load up any time that you have to do your homework.

5. Not Researching Your Teacher

Make sure your teacher is experienced at teaching online courses. Check out the professor before committing to the course. Teachers teaching for the first time may still be figuring things out.

6. Taking Too Many Classes At Once

Many students take on way more than they can handle. Just because a class is online does not mean that it is any easier than a traditional class. When you're first starting out try just one class at a time, until you feel like you can increase your work load.

7. Just Because It's An Online Course, Doesn't Mean You Can Plagiarize

Don't think that you can get by copying and pasting your essays. Most online schools have anti-plagiarism softwares installed.

8. You're Not Interested In Being Part Of A Team

Most of the curriculum for online courses is having a discussion online. If you are unwilling to participate in the class discussion and work on problems and assignments as a team, you won't be able to complete most of your assignments.

Do You Have an Impractical Major? Never Fear!

 

Do You Have an Impractical Major? Never Fear!

 

 

 

Let me first preface this post by saying that I am a Painting/Drawing Major, meaning I probably won't have a job when I graduate. This thought used to discourage me until I discovered some information that really showed me the light: There are practical things to do with an "impractical" degree.

First of all let me mention that I honestly believe that no degree can really be that impractical. Maybe you won't go down the path that you had intended, but you will get something. Often time’s employers are looking for people with degrees because earning you degree is an arduous, expensive, and tiresome process. Having your degree shows determination and the ability to accomplish long term tasks. For me this means, that even if I don't have a job somewhere in the art field or just don't cut it as a painter, that I will have a degree that will look good on a resume that will get me a job.

Also, with every degree there are hundreds of possibilities. For instance you may get a degree in English and fall into a job that requires a lot of writing or reading that you never expected. Or you may find that you want to become a lawyer. English majors have a very nice base of education for becoming lawyers.

My advice: find what you truly love. For example with my art major I was able to get an internship at an art museum. I once thought that I might be interested in earning my doctorate and becoming a museum curator. Alas, when the internship was over I couldn't wait to get out of that museum. Then and there I decided that I wanted to paint.

I believe that if you follow your dreams you will find something that you love to do. Who knows what will happen, and who knows if I will ever be the self employed painter that I want to be. But I do think that following what you love is commendable and you can learn so much about yourself in the process.

I knew a girl once that was an art major like me that started working as an accountant to get through school and found that she absolutely loved it. You never know what will happen, the best you can do is to do what you love. I don't know about you but if I gave up painting for a degree for a job that I was sure to have financial security and good money I may be better off, but I wouldn't be completely happy. I think that is what is important.

Super Foods Make Super Students!

Super Foods Make Super Students!

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Ever heard of the freshman 15? When you consider the foods that make up a college students daily diet, the freshman 15 is quite plausible. In my opinion, with the foods that my peers and I eat often I wouldn't be surprised if it was called the Freshman 30. Now, I am surely no freshman, but I have certainly experienced weight gain in college.

 

I think the main reason for this is time. Students don't have time to shop for groceries. (Not to mention the money it takes to buy groceries.) Students don't have time to come up with creative recipes that are full of nutrients. And students definitely don't have time to actually cook! Most students will go to school all day, and probably spend most of their day at a job. The last thing they want to do when they get home is cook or go grocery shopping!

 

Most students are in the fun time of their life’s that dating and a social life takes priority over almost everything, even school work. Students are also, for the first time, living on their own. Mom and Dad aren't around to make sure that you're eating your vegetables.

 

      Even students like me, with families and jobs, can find it hard to eat healthy. There's just not enough time in the day and when you need to keep going, it’s easy to just grab a bag of chips or make a trip to McDonalds.

 

Whatever the reason is for poor nutrition in college students, nutrition affects your performance.

I'm sure you've heard the old adage "You are what you eat", and it is so true. If you put a poor grade gasoline in your car and never change the oil, the car will not perform to its full capacity and will eventually break down. Think of your body as a car. Take care of it and it will take care of you. You might even find that you have more energy to do all the things that you need to. And you might even find that you get better grades.

 

Eat This Not That

First of all remember to eat breakfast. Your brain is tired in the morning and needs fuel to get going, feed it! If you're in a hurry and don't have time to sit down and eat cereal or make a big breakfast, think simply and buy a box of granola bars, or some yogurt. Throw a few fruits in a smoothie and drink it on your way out.

 

Second, snacks. It is so easy to grab a candy bar from the vending machine at school or a soda when you're starving and in class. Instead, try taking healthy snacks with you. Seeds and nuts are a great alternative and full of natural energy and vitamins to keep you going.

 

When you get home from school and are tired and worn out, instead of making a box of Mac and cheese, try tossing a salad. It really doesn't take long, just an extra effort at the grocery store. Use all sorts of greens and vegetables to get all the nutrients that you need namely spinach, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes. Top with a dressing and you've got dinner in minutes.

 

Eating healthy does require some extra attention and effort on your part but it is worth it! You will find that you feel better, have more energy and do better in school and work. You can get creative and find ways to save time. No matter what you do, do it for yourself, you're worth it!