Online Student Survival Guide

Staying Motivated and Earning an Online Degree

WGU on July 28, 2010 | Category: Adjusting to Online Learning, Productivity

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With summer in full swing, it may be tempting to trade your workspace for a lawn chair by the pool. Don’t let the sunshine diminish your motivation to achieve your goal of earning an online degree. Resist the urge to slow your pace with the following tips:

Discuss your studies. Finding the time and energy to study for your online degree can be challenging, but a supportive family can help. If your study time is scheduled after dinner, get yourself excited by talking about it with your family over a meal. Discuss what you have learned and what you’re going to learn. If you need some help with an assignment, ask them for their insights and opinions. Including others in your work will keep your family close and give you a sense of accomplishment as you cross assignments off your list.

Track your progress. Skipping study sessions can become a bad habit one it has begun, so make sure to keep the “I’ll do it later” mentality in check. A shrinking to-do list is a great motivational tool, and one you should definitely have as an online university student. Print out your study schedule and a list of goals for each session. Print another list of goals for the week. Finally, print a third list of monthly goals. Chances are that many of the items will appear on more than one list. By completing tasks each day, you will also be contributing to your progress for the week and month. Viewing each study session as a portion of the larger goal will help you see the big picture.

Reward yourself. Everyone enjoys a pat on the back for a job well done, so why not do the same for yourself? Go out to dinner to celebrate a completed assignment, or see a movie after a long week of work and studying. By deserving your reward, you will value your productivity more and continue to achieve better results.

Implement what you learn. Many students seeking an online degree are doing so to further their current career. Well, there’s no rule that says you have to wait to implement what you learn. Talk about your studies with co-workers and managers. Suggest ideas you’ve learned to help your employer now rather than later.

Schedule downtime. While you are not running from class to class while attending an online university, balancing life and studies can sometimes be draining. Stay on track to achieve your goals, but avoid a study burn-out by making time for yourself. If you have studied all week, take an evening off to be with family or friends and let your brain rest. Working too hard and too long will affect your future studies and may impact your grades. Don’t feel guilty about taking a break; consider it a step to earning your online degree.

For those who can study effectively by the pool, don’t forget the sunscreen. For the rest of you, use the time at your desk wisely and maintain a positive outlook about your online degree.

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Last Chance to Enter!

WGU on July 8, 2010 | Category: News, Paying for School

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There is one week left to enter the “Make a Great WGU Commercial Video Contest”!

Make a 60-second video commercial telling us why WGU is “A Smarter Way to Learn” and you could win a $7,500 scholarship!

All entries must include the contest URL somewhere in the video and the deadline for video submissions is July 15. To enter your video, visit http://www.wgu.edu/videocontest. The public voting phase begins July 16 and the finalist will endure a second round of voting July 27 – August 10. Winners will be announce August 13.

For official rules or info on how to enter, please visit http://www.wgu.edu/videocontest.

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Managing Your Life and Online Degree

WGU on June 18, 2010 | Category: Balancing Life and School

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One of the most common reasons people decide not to pursue a degree is time management. Many people look at their full-time jobs and family life and think “I don’t have a minute to spare!” While you may be busy, Western Governor’s online university is designed to allow students to manage their lives and studies effectively. Below are some tips to help you on your way to earning an online degree. You may have more time than you think!

Make time for yourself. You may be thinking, “easier said than done,” but a little alone time can go a long way. One of the benefits of attending an online university is flexibility, so take advantage of it! Ask your family for a designated amount of peace and quiet each day, then retreat to your home office and make them honor it. This tactic will give you the structure you need to stick to a study schedule, and it will help your family support you along the way.

Work smart, not hard. Think about your daily routine and look for ways to save time. If you cook dinner for your family every night, try finding recipes to bake or broil instead of stove-top dishes that require constant attention. Use the time you would have spent with a spatula in hand to work on your online degree. Similarly, group your errands into one trip rather than three or four outings throughout the week. Stop by the grocery store, bank, dry cleaners, etc. on Monday and use the time you save on Tuesday and Wednesday to catch up on work.

Change your habits. Many people feel the impulse to crash on the sofa the moment they come home from work. While a break is necessary on especially rough days, try coming home and immediately putting yourself in student mode. Chances are that your brain is still active from your day job activities, and it will be easier to stay motivated if you save your downtime for later in the evening.

Incorporate your studies.  Ask yourself this question as you are going about your day: “Could I use this time to study?” The right mindset is imperative in achieving any goal, especially an online degree. Get in the mindset of using once-passive time as online university time. If you frequent the gym, bring your work with you to review while on the elliptical machine or treadmill. If your children are involved in after-school activities, find a spot on the bleachers to study or while sitting in your car waiting for soccer practice to end. You don’t have to sacrifice your daily routine in order to earn an online degree. Using your time more efficiently will ensure that you can do both. Small changes can have a large impact on your life, especially when it comes to furthering your education. Your long-term career is important to you, so work on making short-term changes in your life to facilitate your future goals.

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Make a Commercial, Win a Scholarship!

admin on June 17, 2010 | Category: News, Paying for School, WGU

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Western Governors University is asking the experts—its students—to help create its next television commercial. Beginning today, WGU students and prospective students can enter the “Make a Great WGU Commercial Video Contest” by going to www.wgu.edu/videocontest and entering an original 60-second “commercial” that illustrates why WGU is “A Smarter Way to Learn.” All accepted entries will be posted on the WGU website, winners will be selected by WGU staff and popular vote, and more than $12,000 in scholarships and prizes are at stake.

To learn more visit: www.wgu.edu/videocontest

P.S. The first 5 entries received will win a special prize!

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New Online University for Indiana

admin on June 15, 2010 | Category: News

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On June 11, Governor Mitch Daniels announced the establishment of WGU Indiana, a new online, competency-based university aimed at expanding access to higher education for Hoosiers. The partnership between the state and Western Governors University will offer fully accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.

“Today we mark the beginning of, in a real sense, Indiana’s 8th state university. WGU Indiana will fill the clearest and most challenging gap remaining in our family of higher education opportunities, helping thousands of adult Hoosiers attain the college degrees they’ve wanted and needed, on a schedule they can manage, at a cost they can afford,” said Daniels.

To learn more about WGU Indiana please visit http://indiana.wgu.edu

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