Olivia Remsen with
Michael O’Malley, MBA ‘04, Director of Academic Programs:
Hospitality, CFIT, and Engineering & Design
Being an online student while balancing a career and personal life can be stressful. At Johnson & Wales University College of Professional Studies, we want our students to feel supported each step of the way. We sat with Michael O’Malley, Director of Academic Programs, Hospitality, CFIT and Engineering and a former academic advisor, to discuss his five tips for being a successful online learner.
1. Stay Engaged
As a busy adult learner, it’s important to stay engaged throughout the entirety of courses. Be sure to check announcements from instructors for upcoming projects and assignments, in addition to reaching out when you have questions or comments. Our JWU instructors want to help you succeed, which is why staying engaged and up to date on what’s upcoming is key.
Additionally, connect with other students! When people think of earning a degree online, the narrative is that you can’t connect with classmates, which is not accurate. Through discussion boards, you can connect with those who are not only in the same course, but those who are in a similar position to yourself. Building these connections with classmates can not only build your professional network but also friendly acquaintances.
“In my role as an academic advisor, I had the privilege of working with thousands of adult learners and they often shared their best practices with me,” said Director O’Malley. “The number one thing they spoke of was the importance of staying connected. My best students logged in frequently throughout the week to keep their heads in the game.”
2. Find a Supportive Network
When deciding to enroll in a university, being sure to have time dedicated to schoolwork is essential. This means, at times you may have to reschedule plans or leave an event early to finish an assignment. With this, having a supportive network who understands the time commitment in which you need can help you succeed as a student.
“Transparency has also been important in maintaining my work commitments. I will let people know: ‘I’m going to leave at this time’ or ‘I’m going to logout. Later I will log back in and finish things up.’ By clearly communicating with everyone, I have had the support of my company.” ~ Jeffrey A.
3. Take Breaks
Another tip to be a successful online learner is to take breaks. Understanding when it’s necessary to take a step back and engage in an activity outside of classwork can help by reducing stress and boosting productivity. Regardless of the duration, taking a study break can ultimately help you refresh your mind and prevent burnout.
If you are unsure what do to in your study break, we have some suggestions below:
- Go for a walk
- Read a book
- Listen to music
- Cook a new recipe
- Journal
- Call a loved one
4. Prioritize Yourself
When making the decision to pursue an online degree, you have decided for yourself that this new experience can help you advance your career, learn new skills and introduce you to a wide range of new ideas. This embodies prioritizing your own needs. Allow that sense of prioritization to continue when it comes to your personal life. Although you need to have time dedicated to completing coursework in addition to managing your personal life, allow yourself to have opportunities that can help better your own self. Director O’Malley echoes the sentiment that taking the time to prioritize yourself is vital.
“Self-care is not selfish, it’s self-respect. Juggling the competing responsibilities of being an adult learner requires a commitment to self-care. Giving yourself space to recharge and refresh is vital for bringing your best self to class.”
5. Utilize JWU Resources
Johnson & Wales University strives to ensure that students feel supported throughout their academic journey. One way in which we do this is by offering a wide range of resources that students can utilize. Students are highly encouraged to take advantage of the resources offered as they provide valuable information and support that can help you improve to become a successful online learner.
JWU resources include:
- A Dedicated Academic Advisor
- The Writing Center
- Online Library
- Career Services
- … And more!
“There are so many resources on Blackboard that can be accessed. For example, I could go onto Blackboard and email my professors when I needed their help. The online library is also accessible through Blackboard. The Writing Center has support specialists who help students write papers. All of these and more resources are free for students. Blackboard offers so many resources that have enabled me to go more in depth about the subjects I am learning. Having access to all of the support made learning at JWU CPS even more enjoyable.” ~ Emmeline O.
Everyone’s academic journey is different, however, at JWU we’re here for you every step of the way. Regardless of where you are in your path, these five tips can help you become a successful online learner.
For more information about enrolling in one of our many degree programs at Johnson & Wales University College of Professional Studies, complete our Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881 or email [email protected].