OK if you are still reading, you may be ready to sign up for your first online course. Here are a some pointers:

• An online course is not a "bird" course. Be prepared to spend more than 5 hours working on the course per week. Typically online courses take up more time than regular face-to-face classes.
  
  
• Familiarize yourself with the course layout & design. Be sure you understand what you are expected to learn and complete the activities that you are asked to do. Ask questions if you are unsure.
  
  
• Download key documents such as course Syllabus, assignments and due dates. Mark key dates in your calendar.
  
  
• Log on to your course everyday or every other day. This allows you to stay connected with the group and will keep you up-to-date with what's going on. Especially check the discussion board everyday. When messages accumulate over several days, people tend to feel overwhelmed.
  
  
• Read other students' postings in the discussion board and respond to them. You wil learn a great deal from your classmates.
  
  
• Get to know others in the course. It's good to have a buddy or study group to discuss the course with.
  
  
• Be disciplined and self-directed by setting aside a time and place to work on your course. Try to stick to the times you have set up.
  
  
• Complete weekly activities each week, so that you do not fall behind. Many instructors have set up assignments and discussions so that they will only be open for a limited time.
  
  
• Participate as much as possible in all learning activities. The more you do, the more you will feel part of the course and the more you will learn.
  
  
• Do not hesitate to ask for help or clarification if you are having difficulty with something. Post questions in the discussion area, or if it's a specific problem you have, email the instructor. The sooner you address the problem, the better you will feel.
  
  
• Save your postings, assignments, results of assessments , etc. in a file on your local computer in case anything becomes lost online or in case of a system outage.