Page 28 - Keys to College Success

Be f exible. Each online course is a unique experience, and you are a unique learner.
Pay attention to how you are doing and make adjustments as needed along the way.
You may f nd you need to:
■ Manage your schedule more tightly for some courses than for others.
■ Create extra interaction with students or instructors for particular coursework.

■ Watch pre-recorded videos at a particular time of day when you feel alert.
■ Get trained on how to use new digital tools.
■ Change when or where you study based on what works best for you.

Managing Digital Challenges

Today, with our near-constant exposure to media and the fact that most people have
a mobile phone that provides access to literally anyone and anything available online,
the challenges of distraction, online etiquette, and managing your digital footprint have
come to the forefront.

Distraction. With millions of videos, TV show episodes, memes, and shopping sites
available at the touch of a screen, it can be tough to focus on that biology lab report or
basic composition essay draft. Many students f nd themselves frequently distracted and
struggle to refocus. Different strategies work for different students, so try one or more
and see what works for you:
■ Put your phone on Do Not
Disturb. FIGURE 2: Online Etiquette (Netiquette)
■ Hide the phone from view.
VENUE ETIQUETTE
■ Close all tabs and apps
on your computer screen EMAIL ✔ Formatting, punctuation,
except your assignment. grammar
■ Use an app such as Free- DISCUSSION BOARDS ✔ Communicate with respect
dom or RescueTime that
locks your browser. and politeness

■ Try an app such as Forest CHAT AREAS ✔ Stay on topic
or Self Control that con-
trols your phone. VIDEOCONFERENCING
✔ Choose appropriate clothing
■ Give your phone to a ✔ Minimize noise and
friend or family member background activity
during your study time.
✔ Avoid profanity and ALL
Online etiquette. It is equally CAPS
as important to be respectful, ✔ Avoid sharing sensitive
open-minded, kind, and polite personal information (TMI)
on a digital platform as it is in ✔ OVERALL—behave online as
person. See Figure 2 for impor- you would in person!
tant rules for Internet etiquette,
also knowns as “netiquette.”
Digital footprint. Your digital footprint refers to information about you available on
the internet as a result of your activities online. Every photo you post, every social me-
dia comment or tweet, everything someone else has tagged you on—all of it is search-
able and linked to you. Prospective employers and colleges can perform a search and
examine anything connected to your name. How can you control your digital footprint

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