Laptops

In the last decade or so, many revolutionizing inventions have affected college students more than anyone else who uses them. Nearly all of these innovations are technological, and include Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, cellphones, and most importantly of all, laptops being more common than desktop computers.

I don't think I can stress enough how much I love my laptop. It provides me with entertainment, research, and a way to kill time, and best of all, I can take it with me anywhere. Despite all of this, it can sometimes be more of a bane than anyone else.

Students everywhere take their computers to class, planning on using it to take notes. And admittedly, it has an additional benefit, such as your teacher suggesting a site and going on it immediately. However, those things are never the only things students use their laptops for while in class. Most are probably going on Facebook or Stumbling while pretending to listen. This is why some teachers do not allow students to bring a laptop, unless they have a disability that requires it.

And honestly, we know that the classroom isn't the only place where a computer provides a distraction. Any student whose had to write a paper has experienced typing along, and then opening the browser to check a fact. While you've got the window open, you might as well check your e-mail. And your Facebook. Then, in the news feed you notice that your favorite blog has been opened. The cycle may not end for two hours, at which point you are tired and want to go to bed, but have a paper due in eight hours that is only half finished.

On top of the damage it does to our academic habits, Computers run the risk of causing us to use our free time less productively. Many times, I have told myself that I will put on some Pandora radio while I get ahead in my studying, but then I become focused on choosing the music, and then keep going on Facebook, that I don't get far enough to constitute actual studying. Also, when I have the Internet handy, I do not usually do as much reading just for the heck of it as I do when I am not distracted by the Internet.

A solution I've heard for at least one of these problems, is to unplug your computer while working on homework. That way, as the computer slowly loses battery power, it will give you a time frame in which to get your work done, and keep you from procrastinating. I tried it, and it worked, at least to a degree. I was not able to force myself to complete the work until the warning telling me to plug in popped up.

Top 10 Tips to Succeeding in an Online Course

If you want to be successful in an online course then make sure that you note these tips.

Are you taking your first ever class online? Or have you taken classes before but only done moderately well in them? It isn’t always easy to succeed in online classes. However, with some top tips in mind, it’s possible to be successful in any online course.

Here are ten top tips to follow if you want to be at the top of your online class:

1. 1.    Attend class at a set time each week. Although the online class format often allows you to study any time you want to, it’s best to stick to a schedule. Set time aside on your calendar each day or week for studying and doing homework. This will help you avoid the problem of falling too far behind in your online class.
2. 2.     Keep a calendar showing all of your deadlines. One of the problems that online students often have is that they miss deadlines and even tests. They simply forget to log on to their classes and check when things are due. What a dumb reason to fail an online class! Make sure that you keep a calendar of deadlines on your computer and check it regularly.
3. 3.     Find a place where you can work consistently. Although it’s nice that you can do your online class work from anywhere, you’ll find that there are places where you don’t work well. Some people get distracted if they try to work at home where their family is. Others work fine at home but get distracted in coffee shops. Find the place that works best for you and stick with it.
4. 4.     Ask questions. Many online students feel like it’s their responsibility to figure out the material on their own. This is a mistake. Make sure that you regularly ask questions of your teachers and peers so that you fully understand the material that you are studying.
5. 5.     Lessen your course load if necessary. After a few weeks, you’ll easily be able to tell if you’re taking too many online classes or if you’re going to make it through the semester. If you need to drop classes, do it early in the semester when it doesn’t cost you a lot of money or result in incomplete grades.
6. 6.     Form a study group. You may find that you do better when you do have some sort of opportunity to meet in person with other people. You can connect with other students in your local area to study together in person. If you’re in a remote area away from other students, try to form an online video conferencing study group.
7. 7.     Set aside study time before finals. Make sure that you clear your calendar of your other obligations during this important time of the semester. Take a few days off of work and don’t plan any trips or other appointments during this time.
8. 8.     Be prepared for your computer to fail. To succeed in an online course, you need to have steady, quality access to the Internet. Don’t assume that this will be the case all semester. Plan for problems. Keep backup disks of all of your course materials. Make sure that you have a plan for where you can study and complete tasks at the last minute in case your own computer fails. Public libraries and friends’ computers are top options to have as a backup.
9. 9.     Don’t give up. If you feel like you’re not doing well in the class, it’s easy to give up. You can just stop signing on to your class online. However, you’re only hurting yourself when you do that. Instead, call your counselor and talk over the situation to find a better solution.
10. 10.  Take your education seriously. All of these other tips add up to one common sense tip that many students don’t follow when they attend school online. That tip is to take your education seriously. This is a real education. It costs real money. It takes real time. And it results in a real degree. By keeping that in mind, you’ll do what you need to do to succeed in your online classes.

What do you think is the toughest part about succeeding in an online course?

Chase Jenkins is a freelance writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. MyCollegesandCareers.com helps people determine if an online education is right for them and helps them understand which online college education and online school they can choose from to reach their goals.