10 Tips for Learning with Online Courses

Online courses are a great way to learn new skills and improve upon existing ones. When you take an online course, you can set your own schedule and pace. This is valuable for those who have busy lives but still want to keep learning. In this article, I’ll be discussing ten tips that will help you get the most out of your online courses!

Tip #1: Set achievable goals

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither is anything else that’s great! So, how will you ever achieve your goals if they’re too ambitious? Setting achievable goals for yourself is key when it comes to online courses. For instance, if you’ve never written a single line of code, don’t expect to become a developer in a few months. Be realistic with your expectations, and you’ll be more likely to succeed.

Tip #2: Do your research

The online course market is crowded, and there are many “experts” trying to sell you snake oil. Look at the instructor’s credentials and make sure they are qualified to teach you what you want to learn. If possible, look for reviews about the course from others who have taken it.

Tip #3: Find the right course

Not all online courses are created equal. There are a variety of formats, topics, and levels of difficulty. Make sure you pick the right course for your needs. For instance, buying a 40-hour, advanced Python programming boot camp for $10 might look like a great deal. However, if you’re a complete beginner and have no programming experience at all, that course is going to be way too difficult for you. And I can assure you: you’ll never actually get to the finish line. Start small, and work your way up.

Tip #4: Get organized and manage distractions

One of the advantages of online courses is that you can learn at your own pace, but this also means you will have to be more organized. We all have distractions that get in the way of our studies. Whether it’s a new Netflix show or your social media accounts, there are many things vying for your attention. However, if you want to progress with your studies, you’ll need to find a way to overcome these distractions.

Set up a routine and make sure you follow through with it. One way to do this is to set a specific day and time each week for your coursework. Dedicate this time solely to studying and nothing else.

Tip #5: Take notes

When taking an online course, it’s essential to take good notes. Not only will these help you study more efficiently, but they’ll also come in handy later on down the road. When you watch a video or read a book, make sure that you write down all the key points. I suggest you have a look at the Cornell note-taking system (https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/taking-notes/cornell-note-taking-system/)–it’s a great way to take notes while you’re watching or reading something.

Tip #6: Watch the videos

This may seem like a no-brainer, but many people do not actually watch the entire course. They may fast-forward through a portion of it or skip to the end to get the completion certificate. This is a bad idea! If you don’t watch and listen to the entire video, you will skip vital information and will not learn as much as you could.

Tip #7: Take the practice quizzes

Many online courses have accompanying quizzes or tests. Make sure you take them as they come up, and study the material thoroughly before attempting your practice quizzes. If there are no challenges or quizzes available for a course, make your own. Bottom line: do not just watch the videos but actually try to understand the concepts being taught.

Tip #8: Use a variety of resources

No one course can teach you everything. Make sure you supplement your online course with outside resources that will help you learn even more. You can read books, search for videos on YouTube, find a study group at your local college, or watch tutorials on other websites to learn even more.

Tip #9: Get help when needed

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you find yourself struggling. Some courses offer tutoring services, while others have an online community where you can connect with other students. By the way, if you haven’t joined our online community on Facebook, come check us out! You can find it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/udemytraining.

Tip #10: Build your own projects

The best way to learn something is by doing it yourself! That’s why I always recommend that after you complete an online course, take some time and try to apply the concepts you’ve just learned. Build a project from scratch or try to improve on an existing project. This is the best way to learn and retain the information you’ve just learned.

Another benefit of building your own projects is that you’ll also get to show off your new skills! Pro tip: share your work on GitHub and feature it on your LinkedIn profile.

There you have it! These are my top ten tips for learning with online courses. I hope you found this article helpful and will help you in your studies.

Good luck!

-Karoly Nyisztor