Being a successful distance student requires time, effort, and diligence. You can help insure your own success as
a distance student by taking control of your academic responsibilities and how you approach them.
The following suggestions are provided to help you do that successfully:
- Start
slowly.
Don't take on the world. Select one or
two study habits you would like to develop or
improve on. This might involve setting up a semester calendar listing
the due dates for your papers and exams and developing a daily to-do
list. As you become more comfortable with these new skills, you are
ready to add additional learning strategies that you may find helpful.
- Prepare to take a new
approach.
The online course experience is unique. Unlike the
traditional lecture format, the online learning environment requires
time at the computer to read and respond to postings. You may need to
adapt your style of learning to the online learning
format. Be proactive and learn how to make your online course a
positive learning experience. Read some of the hints
offered by one of DDP's online course
instructors, Samantha Swindell (Study Tips for Distance Students in
Online Courses).
- Take advantage of available resources.
- Are there learning strategies and
test taking skills that will help you get through that most
difficult class? You can find answers to this and many other questions
by accessing the Student Advising and Learning (SALC)
pages
(SALC). At this site, you will find
information on how to study different subject areas such as history,
the sciences and math. Under "Study Skills Guides" be adventurous and
investigate some of the valuable links to other colleges.
- Do you need extra help with a difficult
subject. Students enrolled in courses through WSU Distance Degree
Programs also have access to several tutoring
resources
online (
Online Tutoring Options), including WSU's Online Writing Lab (OWL). Students who live near a WSU Learning Center should
contact their learning center office to ask about possible tutoring
resources within their community.
- Take the DDP Distance Learning
Quiz (Distance Learning Quiz).
By completing this informal quiz, submitting your responses, and
reviewing the immediate feedback, you should have you a good idea of
your ability to successfully complete a distance course.
- Take advantage of
available services.
When you are overwhelmed it is
importantto ask for help. Remember that it is unrealistic to think that
you can do everything.
- DDP students who need assistance are
encouraged to contact WSU Counseling Services and take advantage of
available services. The "Self Help" section on the WSU Counseling Services Web site
(WSU Counseling & Testing Services) provides information about online
workshops on how to reduce stress and anxiety plus links to
information covering topics such as sleep problems, eating disorders,
relaxation techniques, and seasonal affective disorder.
- Alumni and student mentors are also available to give their
support and insights to new and returning DDP students through the ASWSU-DDP Mentor program
(DDP Alumni Mentor E-mail Program).
- Take the advice of DDP
grads and current students.
Through an informal study, DDP
graduates and students shared the following suggestions for success.
- Identify your goal and keep it in mind.
- Be realistic about what you can handle at one
time.
- Organize and plan ahead. Schedule study time
and course deadlines, then study daily and review regularly.
- Read and follow all directions for completing
your courses.
- Don't try to do it all yourself! Ask for help
as you need it. DDP staff, academic advisers, and course instructors
are here to help you—and don't forget your family and friends!
- Work hard but reward yourself!
|