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Success Guide: A Week in the Life of an Online Student

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A 7-day Success Guide for Earning your Degree Online

Monday & Tuesday

Make lunch time, study time! One hour of study time each day is an easy way to take a mental break from work and get your studies going. At night, block two hours to complete the readings and start organizing thoughts for your weekly discussion post.

Wednesday

Discussion posts are typically due on Wednesday. Block two to three hours after dinner to complete and proof your discussion before responding to those posted by classmates.

Thursday

Set aside 30 minutes for exercise! Afterward, block two to three hours for assigned readings and start bigger assignments (typically due on Sunday).

Friday

Dedicate at least two hours to studies before you head off with family, friends or personal commitments.

Saturday & Sunday

Save time for family, friends and commitments but make sure to block three to four hours across the weekend to finish readings, assignments and review prior to submitting.

Rain or Shine…Study on Your Time

Rainy or slow weekend? Take advantage of the down time to get ahead in your work! One of the perks of taking an online program is you can often work ahead as far as you like.

How Does Online Learning Stack Up?

95% of online students report that their online program meets most or all of their expectations.3

Do’s & Don’ts of Online

Some of the primary benefits of online learning are that you can complete your weekly coursework around your work schedule and other commitments, and you can study from anywhere.

You get what you put in, so here are some tips to help!

Do this

  • Learn the technology
  • Stick to your schedule
  • Reach out for help
  • Communicate and leverage professors for insight and advice—just as you would in a traditional setting

Not this

  • Fight the technology
  • Procrastinate
  • Neglect provided direction
  • Ignore assignments

Sources and Disclaimers

  1. https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/5637-the-most-productive-day-of-the-workweek-may-surprise-you.html.
  2. https://news.briotix.com/five-reasons-exercise-improves-productivity#:~:text=The%20results%20were%20astounding.,motivated%20to%20complete%20their%20work.
  3. Wright, L., Capranos, D., Dyers, L., & Magda, A. J. (2022). Online learner experiences: The importance of cohesive design and learning communities to student satisfaction. Maitland, FL: Wiley Inc.

Anna Maria College is a private, not-for-profit, Catholic liberal arts institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Anna Maria College was approved by the commonwealth of Massachusetts to participate in SARA, and become a SARA institution in 2021. At this time, only California is not a member State.

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