MAIN POST Online learning has become more mainstream and is now providing higher education opportunities to those who would not have had access in the past. Online success comes from planning out your week and then accomplishing it. For me, I set aside time on Monday and Wednesday. These days are my weekly off days that I set up with my OR director before school started. Involving my director and manager lets them know what my goals are and how they can help me achieve them. Planning/Time Management When I plan out my school day, I start with what time I am waking up, I incorporate breakfast, and dropping the little girl off at VPK, as well as gym time. My day starts at 0530 and class begins around 0730-0745. Mondays are dedicated to reading and initial discussion posts. If I can post a discussion with time to spare I will start thinking of ideas for my response post. Wednesdays are dedicated review days and responding to posts. Thursday and Friday, for me, seem to be review of material and discussion post. These days tend to be later in the night since I get off at 1900. So, I set aside and hour and a half of school-time on those nights. The main thing to understand about planning and time management with online learning is this; you cant expect to achieve a goal without preparation. Communication/ Technology use Temeka Johnson states in the academic guide Walden offers a very user-friendly environment for the students to stay connectedto get connected and stay connected. Communication is so vital for achieving online success. Walden is connected, they have provided you a way to access information 24-7. There is the Facebook groups and pages for each class, there is the chat support on the main page of the student portal. Walden has also given you a link for FAQs. In my opinion they have thought about everything. With everything that Walden offers, the ease of accessing information is due to use of modern technology. Jeffrey Bodimer states in the academic guide, I mean, its technology, youre not going to break it. You know, its not going bite you. You just simply have to get in and play around with it. Do the pointing, do the clicking. Post something incorrectly. You know, make the mistake. Dont be afraid of making of making the mistake. Walden University has given us a solid platform to jump from. The tools of success have been handed to you as well as the instructions on how to use them. Take the time to plan out future, communicate with your instructors and fellow students, and use the technology provided to make those plans a reality. References Gerr, M. (2018). Walden SRO: Creating a Technology Backup Plan. [online] Academicguides.waldenu.edu. Available at: https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ld.php?content_id=2828215 [Accessed 3 Dec. 2018].
