Back to "Is Online Learning for Me?" Advice from Online Students Instructional Design students who have completed the online course were asked: What one piece of advice would you give someone who takes this course next semester? Some representative answers were: Do not take another class! This is a great course but needs a lot of time to complete work! Take the course & go easy with it, try to read other students'posting, you can always learn from other people's experience. Manage time effectively Don't think it's easy because it's online. Dive in and get involved. You have to have time. This course is a very good course to understand distance education. Be ready to work hard. Don't get behind. Make sure you have a lot of time to put into this course! Set a time every week for doing the work. Stay on task each week. Jump into postings. Plan ahead and start early on all assignments. Example: begin collecting resources at the beginning of the semester. Don't get overwhelmed by the knowledge of your classmates. Everyone has different areas of strengths and yours will come up eventually. You have as good thoughts as others - as simple as they may be - yours could light the light for another. Don't be afraid to post - we all feel self-conscious. The sooner you post and the more you post your thoughts - the easier it becomes and the better the class is. Get ready for a lot of work. Keep up with the assignments. Make time! The same advice Sara gave us at orientation - perseverance is what you will need to make it. (and this class is not the only thing in our lives! Don't stress too much over it!) For maximum return on your investment, only take this course during a semester. Don't waste time. Read the chapters and do the work. Do not wait. "Be afraid! Be very afraid!" Just joking. I would tell the student to stay in touch with the professor and always remain positive. Be prepared to work and don't do the project the week before it is due.