Effective Study Skills for Remote Learning    

Learning how to study for your classes is much more important in an online learning environment. 

1. Study actively, not passively (re-reading your notes, textbook, or PowerPoint without taking notes). Try active studying such as:
   • Flashcards
   • Re-writing your class notes in your own voice (summarize)
   • Take practice tests
   • Teach the material to someone else
2. Stay organized!
   • Keep a calendar, weekly chart, or list of all the work you need to complete in each course, making sure to add in time to work long before an assignment is due.  Individual assignments may take longer to complete than they would on campus because of tools or resources.
3. Attend class!
   • Pre-recorded videos may seem like they are extra material for an in-person class, but for online courses, they can contain the critical lecture material. Online lectures, videos, discussion boards, and podcasts are where you will do your actual learning. Don't skip them!
4. Make a plan, and stick with it!
   • Use this template from Carleton University for your online learning/work plan or find another way to track your schedule.
5. Get a study group together
   • Study groups are a valuable asset because they provide a support system and allow students to share skill sets, thus improving their note-taking abilities while making it easier to cover more material and make learning more fun.
   • Aside from identifying what the group wants to achieve, you’ll need to set ground rules that establish expectations, limit off-topic posts or chats and determine how study time is managed.
   • Zoom tips for studying in a group (oregonstate.edu)
6. Participate!
   • In the online environment, it's not enough to show up! We need to hear your voice to feel your presence, and we especially need your comments to add to the information, shared learning, and sense of community in each class.
7. Be persistent.
   • Remember that we're all working in a fairly new environment. If you run into any difficulties, don't wait! Send a note immediately to the instructor of the course listed on the syllabus. Most problems are easily solved, but we have to hear from you before we can help.
8. Share tips, help, and questions.
   • For many of us, taking online courses is a new frontier. There are no dumb questions, and even if you think your solution is obvious, please share it! Someone in the class will appreciate it.
9. Think before you push the Send button.
   • Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the words? While you can't anticipate all reactions, do read over what you've written before you send it.
10. Be patient.
    • As much as your instructor will try to be prompt in answering questions, please do not expect instantaneous responses to your queries. Learn how to set breakpoints in your study, so that you can return exactly to the point when your question is answered. Be patient with yourself as well; give the material a chance to soak in.

(Tips adapted from: eclearn.emmanuel.edu, students.carleton.ca, oregonstate.edu)