Heeter 1 Cassandra Heeter Professor Eric Devillez COM 102-319 20 October 2021 A Journey to Personal Wholeness The term ‘healthy’ just sounds… stale. Would you agree? Every commercial, every advertisement, every post seems to be the one stop shop to bettering one’s health. If it was that easy, everyone would be ‘healthy’ and living their best lives at this very moment. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, health is defined as ‘the condition of being well or free from disease; the overall condition of someone’s body or mind; the condition or state of something’. I would argue that the road to being the true definition of healthy, begins with alignment of the mind, body, and spirit. ‘Mind-Body Connection is the belief that the causes, development and outcomes of a physical illness are determined from the interaction of psychological, social factors and biological factors’ (The mind – body connection). I’m here to give you sustainable tools to heal your body from the inside out. There is no secret to personal wholeness, it takes time and determination but this can be achieved through the alignment of the mind, body, and spirit; the baseline of what influences overall well being. Let’s talk about how you feel when you’re under stress. Physically, one may experience heart palpitations, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, clammy hands, nausea, headaches, shaking, muscle tension, lowered immune system, etc. Mentally, one may be feeling overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, restless, irritable, etc. Acute stress is a normal part of the human fight or flight response. However, chronic stress compromises mental, physical, and spiritual well being. Cortisol is known as the body’s stress hormone and constant release of this Heeter 2 hormone is a never ending cycle of the symptoms stated above. Cortisol directly lowers the immune system and also causes inflammation in the body leading to the development of autoimmune diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, etc. (Person). To dive a little deeper, a low functioning immune system predisposes the body to illness that a high functioning immune system would otherwise have the ability to fight off. Not coping with stress can truly be deadly. This is a prime example of how the mind and the body are connected. Ever hear of the sympathetic nervous system versus the parasympathetic nervous system? The sympathetic nervous system stimulates the fight or flight response and causes dilation of pupils, inhibition of salivation, increases heart rate, inhibits stomach, bowel, and gallbladder activity, secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine, and relaxes the bladder (Admin). This allows blood flow to increase to vital organs necessary to escape the perceived threat. The parasympathetic system maintains homeostasis and permits the rest and digest response. These nerves constrict pupils, stimulate saliva, slow the heartbeat, constrict airways, stimulate stomach, bowel and gallbladder activity, and contract the bladder (Admin). This calm state is essential for the repair of cells and the body’s natural methods of healing. Further proving the mind’s connection to the physical body. This leads me to likely the most important contributor to overall well being, gut health. ‘Gut bacteria are key players in your mood and mental health. They can relieve the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, but they might also make them worse’ (Edermaniger). Gut bacteria, also referred to as the microbiome, affects stress and anxiety because it produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and GABA, all of which play a key role in mood regulation. The vagus nerve connects the gut to the brain and plays a role in motility, digestion, Heeter 3 and appetite. When the vagus nerve is affected by stress, it cannot effectively communicate these processes to the gut. If the gut is imbalanced, the immune system is activated and inflammation occurs, contributing to depression and anxiety (Admin). Healing the gut is a vital step in alignment of the mind-body-spirit connection. The first step to healing the gut is altering your diet. A plant based diet allows beneficial gut bacteria to thrive due to the fatty acid butyrate that is produced when plants are consumed. Butyrate protects the gut lining, is the main source of fuel for the cells lining the gut, and prevents inflammation. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole grains is essential for preventing inflammation and healing the gut (Admin). Butyrate is also shown to be a factor in new brain cell production and allows the gut to better absorb important nutrients. Some studies show a link between consumption of probiotics and their benefits on mental health. Probiotics support butyrate production and facilitates the guts ability to effectively produce neurotransmitters (Admin). Prebiotics and probiotics are also known to reduce anxiety related behavior. Healthy bacteria in the microbiome produce substances that increase mood boosting neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA. Never underestimate the role that diet and gut health has in improving mental health (Admin). Personally, healing my gut health has been a sustainable lifestyle choice by using a method of eating called food combining. To introduce this idea, think about how you feel after your lunch break. Most people would say they hit a wall, feel sluggish, need a nap, etc. This has become the norm after a meal. I’m here to tell you that this is absolutely not normal. The feeling of exhaustion after a meal is due to the body’s over utilization of energy to digest the food you’ve eaten. Simplifying meals can optimize digestion and conserve energy for brain and muscle power. Step one of food combining begins with picking a main course category. These Heeter 4 categories include fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, pears, berries, etc.), starches (squash, lentils, beans, oats, wheat, potatoes, pasta, rice), proteins (red meat, pork, poultry, fish, plant-based meat, cheese, yogurt, eggs), or nuts/seeds/dry fruit (almonds, walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, dried fruits, dried coconut). The reason behind not wanting to mix these categories in one meal is simply because the body uses different enzymes to digest these food types and they also digest at different rates. The rest of your plate will be filled with cooked or raw non-starchy vegetables such as leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beets,onions, celery, cucumber, zucchini, etc. Neutral foods you can incorporate into your meals include butter, oils, lemons, limes, coconut water, non dairy milk, heavy cream, and 70% or higher dark chocolate. It’s then best to wait 3-4 hours until switching meal categories. Fruit is best consumed during the first meal of the day due to it being the fastest digesting food (Food combining chart). I know it may seem like an overwhelming amount of information but it really is a very simple method to follow once you get the hang of it. I began food combining about 2 years ago and have not looked back since due to the undeniable impact it has had on my gut health, weight regulation, mood stabilization, and energy level. Of course it’s impossible to be perfect so I encourage following the 80/20 rule. Food combining has worked for me and for many others although it is still debatable scientifically. It encourages better food choices without feeling restricted! Life is too short to stress about food, it’s all about finding a method suiting and sustainable to your lifestyle. An example of a protein based meal includes leafy green salad topped with cherry tomatoes and goat cheese, followed by a piece of baked salmon served with a side of roasted broccoli and cauliflower. For dessert, you could follow this meal with some dark chocolate or ice cream. An example of a starch based meal includes A sandwich on whole-grain bread, filled with avocado, Heeter 5 mustard, lettuce, tomato and sprouts. Served with a leafy side salad and a baked sweet potato topped with butter. Now that we have discussed some ways to heal the physical body, the next topic I want to dive into is the effect of neurotransmitters on the mind and the importance of their regulation. Heeter 6 Work Cited Admin. ‘Differences between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System.’ BYJUS, BYJU’S, 10 Mar. 2021, https://byjus.com/biology/difference-between-sympathetic-and-parasympathetic/. Edermaniger, Leanne. ‘9 Facts on Gut Bacteria and Mental Health, Probiotics and Depression.’ Atlas Biomed Blog | Take Control of Your Health with No-Nonsense News on Lifestyle, Gut Microbes and Genetics, Atlas Biomed Blog | Take Control of Your Health with No-Nonsense News on Lifestyle, Gut Microbes and Genetics, 19 Feb. 2021, https://atlasbiomed.com/blog/9-ways-gut-bacteria-and-mental-health-probiotics-and-depressionare-linked/. ?’Food Combining Chart.’ Detoxinista, 22 June 2020, https://detoxinista.com/food-combining/. ‘Health.’ Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/health. Person. ‘PTSD and Autoimmune Diseases.’ Healthline, Healthline Media, 2 July 2018, https://www.healthline.com/health-news/the-link-between-autoimmune-diseases-and-ptsd#Sensit ive-to-stress. ‘The Mind – Body Connection.’ Johns Hopkins HealthCare Solutions, 15 Mar. 2021, https://www.johnshopkinssolutions.com/the-mind-body-connection/. Lisante 1 Skylar Lisante Professor De Villez Composition 102-319 19 October 2021 Who is actually behind the screen? On a daily basis people are exposed and intrigued to the ongoing development of social media, so much that many have even made a living off of it. We might find ourselves, or even watch others around us trying to fit into a role on social media that may not be the entirety of the person that we, or they are. Not to mention that isn’t the scenario for everyone, and there are those people who post bluntly and honestly about who they are and others love them for it, or maybe the complete opposite— their hated for it. Regardless, social media has become a mainstream platform for today’s influencers and celebrities. Billions of people around the world turn to social media for news, engagement, recommendations, and entertainment, and new platforms are always on the rise. Although everyone has the freedom to post and say what they want on social media, there comes a point where we might put into question if a social stars’ social media representation is an accurate depiction of who we are in real life. Evolution is an on-going process that social media is a part of. Over the last decade or so, social media has evolved from a way to communicate with long lost friends to the ultimate method of seeking anything informational. There is no question that others around the world have more access to the social media world than some. In an article updated daily on Our World in Data titled, ‘The rise of social media’, they state from gathered statistics that at least 30% of Lisante 2 the world uses social media, where of course that is just as average as to how for some populations usage rates are much higher, there is also evidence that in other more developed countries people also spend many hours per day online. Now don’t get me wrong, being on social media is not the worst thing that is going on around us, but it is just another aspect that we are constantly adapting to and has become a part of this evolutionary process. The main question has to be, why do individuals use social media? A study by the New York Times Consumer Insight Group identified five major reasons people choose to share what they do on social media sites. 49% of participants in this study said that they share to inform other people about what they care about or encourage action in others. The most compelling reason to share has been stated as supporting a cause. Now that can range anywhere from a simple resharing of someone else’s post to promote or support a cause, to a widespread social media planned movement. One organization that hit social media with a visible, effective, ‘supporting a cause’ campaign was The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association. Its Ice Bucket Challenge, in which individuals dumped buckets of ice cold water on themselves and challenged others to either do the same or donate to the ALS Association, completely took over social media. Politicians, business leaders, sports figures, and celebrities all got in on the act, dumping ice on themselves and raising awareness(and money) for a worthy cause(Ortiz-Ospina). This is just a widely known example of how people use social media to specifically support a cause, and like this example it can be for beneficial causes that others regularly tend to support, but there are many other ‘less’ beneficial and important ways individuals decide to use social media for. (Maybe add paragraph continuing how the less beneficial aspects are addressed within the influencer world connected to identity or self expression) Lisante 3 One of the primary reasons you will find most people on social media is for the ability to stay in contact with others they might not see or hear from all the time. Social media has made it seemingly easy for users to stay up-to-date on their relationship with others via social media. The biggest example of this is Facebook. Facebook is focused solemnly on interacting and befriending others, so it has been made the easiest way to know what the person you dated 10 years ago is doing now on the complete opposite side of the world. By sharing things that will potentially get friends engaged, people can keep those friends’ attention and feeling of friendship long after they stop seeing them on a regular basis. As social media continues to grow it’s apparent that sharing is about showing others what individuals care about and who they are. It could be to friends, family, or a following of millions. We like to talk about ourselves, especially online, and sometimes others tend to find it interesting and begin to gather a following or ‘fan base’ of other social media users following everything they post. (unfinished- need to find references to support ). Unsurprisingly, celebrities reign supreme on social media. As of April 2021, soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was the most-followed person on social media with more than 500 million total followers. And while some people use social media as an outlet for a cause or to raise awareness, many others use it to showcase an unrealistic and deceiving scenario. Identity is one the biggest insecurities on social media. It’s easy to see a picture of someone and either have a liking or not towards it. It’s easy to decide if you like someone based on how they look, where it gets complex is trying to derive the realness of users on social media from the possible fake persona they could be perceiving their followers or fans with by their words and actions. As anyone who uses social media understands, reminding yourself that things are never Lisante 4 as they seem is a lot easier said than done. Most social media influencers try to make their lifestyle the goal for others. Social media influencers have normalized certain things — spending money and mindlessly encouraging status and ego gratification. (unfinished) While some, not all, do it for the wrong reasons, there are still plenty that do it for beneficial ones. There are still celebrities, influencers, regular people who are not reaching for this sense of attention from others and are able to present themselves as raw and as true that they could. This could just be by expressing their opinions freely, wearing and doing absolutely whatever they want, telling the honest truth of how things really are, and all in all just being their unapologetic selves. One person who specifically fits into the role of influencer who isn’t an influencer is a 20 year old girl named Emma Chamberlain, who began as a youtuber, now has over 30 million followers across multiple platforms, an ongoing partnership with Louis Vuitton, and a fairly newer coffee company, is know for her candid energy. In an interview with Anna Laplaca posted on Who, What, Wear Podcast, Emma states, ?’I grew up watching girls on YouTube who became my role models,’ she said, ‘but they were my role models in a way that was unattainable, and that wasn’t truly showing what being a teen girl really is.’ The indifference she felt between her personal experience and the perfect versions of a teenager she saw on the other side of the screen is one most of us can relate to. She made it clear that from a very young age she never wanted to portray a persona of herself on social media that she knew she was not. What is most regonzied about her is the raw, majority unedited footage she projects of her life being carelessly herself. By that it can simply be demonstrated on her youtube channel by titles on her videos being, ‘Fast food breakfast test’, ‘Cleaning out my closet *EXTREME*’, and even on more serious and relatable levels to her fans that she chooses to include about herselves are some of her more Lisante 5 personal vlogs on Youtube being titled, ‘Questioning everything’, or ‘Everything went wrong’. Some do consider Emma Chamberlain’s raise to fame quite unusual, but with evident progress and growth between herself and this empire she has built with social media platforms, it’s clear that it can be done without having to alter any persona, online or offline. Lisante 6 Works Cited Kevin. ‘Social Media And Psychology — Why Do People Share?’ Avidian, 2015, https://www.avidian.com/uncategorized/social-media-and-psychology-why-do-people-sh are/. Accessed 1 September 2015. Laplaca, Anna. ‘It’s Time To Bask In The Influence of Emma ChamberlainEXCLUSIVE It’s Time To Bask In The Influence of Emma Chamberlain.’ Who What Wear, 2020, https://www.whowhatwear.com/emma-chamberlain-interview. Accessed 20 October 2020. Ortiz-Ospina, Esteban. ‘The rise of social media.’ Our World in Data, 2019, https://ourworldindata.org/rise-of-social-media. Accessed 18 September 2019. Calixto 1 Cecille Joan Calixto Professor Eric Devillez COM 102-319 21 October 2021 Without the Slash: Postcode Envy in Modern America I am a Filipino, I was born as one. At the same time, I am an American, I was naturalized and am thriving. I may be referred to in my home country as a Filipino-American, stated with admiration –a promotion from a four-digit postcode to a five-digit one. Here in America, I am referred to as AsianAmerican, stated with a mix of curiosity, animosity, or indifference, depending on who categorizes me as such. Ethnicities are self-identifying groups based on beliefs with shared culture, ancestry, and history. Social scientists have used ethnicity to replace the word ‘race’ following how beliefs about race have been used to justify discrimination, apartheid, slavery, and genocide. In the United States, the federal government categorizes people according to ethnicity so health disparities between racial or ethnic groups may be identified and addressed (Kumar, 2017). This is because some genetic disorders are more likely to occur among people whose ancestry is from a particular geographic area, like how sickle cell disease is more common in people of African, African-American or Mediterranean heritage. So for the 51 million foreign-born residents living in America, groupings by race, culture, or identity seems to make things easier for statistical and practical purposes. For immigrants, forming communities is common, evident in Chicago areas such as Chinatown, Little Italy, Greek Village, Little Palestine, and many more. Chicago’s Seafood City becomes a mini-Manila during the weekends. The Harlem strip in Bridgeview at night is smoking with grilled-everything-exceptpork and sheesha/ hubblee bubblee. Residential integration may initially offer the comfort of ‘home feels.’ Eventually, immigrants’ children become less segregated and become more dispersed across the Calixto 2 cities. But there is nothing like settling in a new city that offers the same feel of one’s country of origin – where a falafel sandwich is just a 10-minute drive away, or an Asian store with the moringa leaves is just around the corner. There are myriad reasons why people come to America. The original colonists came for freedom, political liberty, religious expression, and economic opportunity. After five centuries these reasons have not changed, though more had been added – wars and natural disasters. Why did I come to America? Like most immigrants, it was for the economic opportunity, plus in my case, I particularly moved for the freedom to be who I am, with my person in a same-sex marriage. I have lived in three continents thus far, and only the North Americas have the tolerance to let love win – there is no luck with that in the Philippines where divorce is not even legal, much less in the Middle East where homosexuality is taboo. Growing up in Manila, I have never dreamed of coming to America. When most of my friends took up nursing with sights of becoming US RNs, I followed my patriotic heart and signed up with the country’s premier state university, dreaming of serving the people. What changed? Circumstances did. I wanted a larger income so I worked where the moolah was – sparkly Dubai where one’s monthly salary is exactly the figure at the bottom of the payslip – tax-free. This is in addition to allowances for accommodation, transportation, health insurance and yearly tickets to one’s home country. Eighty percent of the United Arab Emirates (where Dubai is) population are migrants, serving the remaining 1/5 who are ‘locals’ or Emiratis. Droves of people all over the world go to Dubai/ UAE for the income, and where afforded, for the lifestyle. But the UAE does not provide for citizenship, only contractual work. No matter how glittery life there was, everything is temporary and co-terminus with one’s work permit. And so I looked into migrating into someplace more permanent and where homosexual relations are not punishable by the Muttawa (Religious Police). My then US citizen partner, tired of taking round-trip flights to and from Dubai to visit, finally convinced me – ‘Come with me, marry me.’ I said yes, and I was Calixto 3 on top of the world, literally, at the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. And so we hit the proverbial two birds with one stone – citizenship and marriage recognition at the height of the 2015 ruling for marriage rights for the LGBTQ community. From the middle east to the Midwest, I immigrated. I came to the Midwest because this is where my wife has set foot almost 20 years ago and settled. Not New York or California where the pride flags flutter freely and rainbows are as ubiquitous as the skies. On the other hand, Chicago, especially the suburbs, can be a little subtle. It tolerates, but keeps its own thoughts unspoken. My wife and I live in an area where 92% are identified as White, and Asians are less than 2% of the population. Everyone is polite, waving as you pass them by. They stop by to chat when you happen to cross paths while walking your pets. Always the opener, ‘where are you originally from?’ One time I was reading some nursing papers while in the gym’s treadmill, and the next gymgoer asked me ‘are you getting ready for your citizenship test?’ And then there is that offer ‘would you be interested to babysit my babies?’ In the places I lived where I am part of the majority (Philippines, Filipino; Dubai, expatriate), I feel the shift – here I am, looking very different: brown skin, black hair, slight chink in eyes, and people relate to me as the person they perceive I am. ‘You Filipino? My dad had a Filipino caregiver once.’ Or ‘Did Ferdinand Marcos really steal your country blind?’ And of course, my favorite, ‘What was that food again that comes from your kitchen? Pansit (stir-fried noodles)? Lumpia (spring rolls)? Adobo?’ Incidentally, the Philippines’ main export is people, called Overseas Filipino Workers. There are a total of 12M OFWs, and around 70% of which are in the US (next to Saudi Arabia, Canada, and United Arab Emirates) (Migrante, 2019). A majority (80%) are production and service workers, while the remaining 20% are professional workers mainly nurses and engineers. With this large number of OFWs comes great economic returns in the form of remittances. In 2018 alone, remittances from OFWs total $31B, equal to a 10th of the Philippines’ GDP. Calixto 4 For those families who have members moving to the United States, it is seen as a jackpot – hello to monthly deposits to the bank and semi-annual care packages. A five-digit postcode in the return address of any care package is met with excitement (hello new shoes, chocolates, and canned goods). On the other end, a four-digit postcode in the return address of any incoming mail is met with dread – the family back home says hi, and oh the house, the car, or the kitchen needs an upgrade. America, seen from the immigrants’ country of origin, is the land of opportunities – where milk and butter abound. Being Asian-American has blessed you with the chance of a lifetime, and it is your duty to share the blessings. America affords an exchange rate of 50 Philippine pesos to a dollar, and the gross amount resulting from multiples of hundreds is enough to make people green with envy. So the next time an Asian-American goes back to her original postcode, people are waiting – for gifts, for money, even for marriage. Having one family member in the US assures at least three people immigrating later – a spouse and a pair parents. Visiting the US is another perk of knowing someone living in the States. Everyone marvels at the lawn grass, which is always greener, healthier, and more robust than anywhere else. But starting a life in America can be tough for a new immigrant… (more to include here) Integrating oneself can be arduous. In Dubai, I have worked in a company that has more than 50 different nationalities at any given time, and ‘organized chaos’ does not even describe how we functioned. I feel that the more nationalities there are to deal with, the more discrimination abound. The same is true in America. However, the more pronounced the majority vs the minority, the more evident the discriminations are. I have always been taught how to adapt with people. Growing up, my family moved a lot, and I had to attend several schools and make different groups of acquaintances. Then my Girl Scouting years brought me from backyard camps to as far as a gathering in Switzerland where more than 30 nations were represented. Making friends, especially international ones, is one core principle of scouting; no Calixto 5 matter where they are in the world, if they meet another Guide they have a friend, and in a way, Scouting and Guiding is the world’s largest circle of friends. In scouting, diversity is valued as it brings a lot of experiences on the table for everyone to marvel at. I still keep the friends I have met from Pakistan, Malta, and the UK till now. I wonder how we can keep the same circle of friends with everyone else, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, and beliefs? Knowing the different postcodes is interesting. A website, Numbeo.com, is a veritable site where a city’s costs of living, housing, crime rates, and quality of life can be researched. I have used it when I was considering moving to Chicago from Dubai, just to compare how green the grass are in both cities. But immigrating goes beyond the costs, however important these are. Other immeasurable concepts are at play – how accepting people are, how safe the environment is for new people, how mentally healthy the place is. These are societal indicators where numbers can hardly put a measure on. IT all boils down to people. Acceptance. Tolerance. Kindness. (need to expand on this more). Working thesis: Regardless of the reasons for coming to the US, immigrants endure the biases towards their ethnicities and the countries they came from, but sometimes it just takes some nurturing to encourage kindness, tolerance, and acceptance. Works Cited Kumar, K. Suresh. ‘World Wide Journals.’ Indian Journal of Applied Research, 1 Sept. 2017, https://www.worldwidejournals.com/global-journal-for-research-analysisGJRA/special_articles.php?si_val=MjA3. Calixto 6 ‘5 Countries with the Most Immigrants.’ CitizenPath, 25 June 2021, https://citizenpath.com/countries-with-the-most-immigrants/. Faye Hipsman, Doris Meissner Faye Hipsman. ‘Immigration in the United States: New Economic, Social, Political Landscapes with Legislative Reform on the Horizon.’ Migrationpolicy.org, 27 Aug. 2020, https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/immigrationunited-states-new-economic-social-political-landscapes-legislative-reform. Jeanne Batalova Jeanne Batalova, Mary Hanna. ‘Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States.’ Migrationpolicy.org, 6 Aug. 2021, https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/frequently-requested-statistics-immigrants-andimmigration-united-states-2020. ‘Learn about Citizenship.’ USCIS, 16 Sept. 2021, https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-aboutcitizenship. ‘Quick Immigration Statistics: United States > the Immigrant Learning Center.’ The Immigrant Learning Center, 18 Aug. 2021, https://www.ilctr.org/quick-us-immigrationstatistics/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIu8L1bSq8wIVBKp3Ch3vJQ46EAAYASAAEgKOU_D_BwE. Purchase answer to see full attachment

Mastering the Art of Online Learning: Your Guide to Acing Online Courses

Introduction

In recent years, the popularity of online courses has skyrocketed, offering learners the flexibility to acquire new skills and knowledge from the comfort of their homes. However, succeeding in online courses requires a different approach compared to traditional classroom settings. To help you make the most of your online learning experience, this article presents essential strategies and tips to ace your online courses.

1. Set Clear Goals and Plan Ahead

Before embarking on an online course, establish clear goals and objectives. Determine what you hope to achieve by the end of the course and break down your goals into manageable milestones. Create a study schedule that aligns with your other commitments, ensuring you allocate dedicated time for coursework, assignments, and revision.

2. Create a Productive Study Environment

Establishing a conducive study environment is crucial for online learning success. Find a quiet, well-lit space where you can concentrate without distractions. Remove any potential interruptions, such as notifications from social media or email. Organize your study materials and have a reliable internet connection to ensure seamless access to course materials.

3. Actively Engage in the Course

Active participation is key to mastering online courses. Engage with course materials, including videos, readings, and interactive components. Take comprehensive notes, highlighting key concepts and ideas. Participate in discussion boards, forums, and virtual meetings to interact with instructors and peers, fostering a sense of community and enhancing your understanding of the subject matter.

4. Manage Your Time Effectively

Online courses offer flexibility, but it’s essential to manage your time wisely to avoid falling behind. Create a detailed schedule, allocating specific time slots for coursework, assignments, and studying. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable segments to prevent procrastination. Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and dedicate focused time to each one, ensuring consistent progress throughout the course.

5. Develop Effective Communication Skills

Online courses often rely on written communication, making it crucial to hone your skills in this area. Be concise and clear in your written responses, paying attention to grammar and spelling. Actively participate in discussions, asking thoughtful questions and providing constructive feedback to your peers. Regularly check your course emails and notifications, ensuring you stay updated with any important announcements or changes.

6. Utilize Available Resources

Take full advantage of the resources provided by your online course platform and instructors. Familiarize yourself with the learning management system (LMS) and explore its features. Access supplementary materials, such as textbooks, lecture slides, and external resources recommended by instructors. Utilize online libraries, research databases, and tutorial services to deepen your understanding of the subject matter.

7. Stay Motivated and Engaged

Maintaining motivation throughout an online course can be challenging, particularly when faced with competing priorities or a lack of face-to-face interaction. Set short-term goals and reward yourself upon their completion. Connect with fellow learners through virtual study groups or online forums to foster a sense of camaraderie. Regularly remind yourself of the benefits and personal growth associated with completing the course successfully.

8. Seek Support and Clarification

Don’t hesitate to seek support or clarification when needed. Reach out to your instructors for guidance or clarification on course material. Utilize online discussion forums to ask questions or engage in collaborative problem-solving. Leverage the support services provided by your course platform or institution, such as technical support or academic advising.

Conclusion

Online courses present unique opportunities for self-paced learning and personal growth. By setting clear goals, creating a productive study environment, actively engaging with course materials, and managing your time effectively, you can maximize your chances of acing online courses. Remember to stay motivated, seek support when needed, and make the most of the available resources. Embrace the flexibility and adaptability of online learning to achieve your educational goals.