Ways to Bounce Back After Falling Behind in an Online Course

It's important for students to manage their time in an online course. But if they find themselves struggling to stay on track, there are ways to come from behind.

A student's reasons for dropping back in the first place may vary, experts say.

Adjusting to a learning management system and other technology used in online learning can be a challenge for students before they even start to tackle their course work, says Lisa Knowles, a senior student services coordinator in Boston University's distance education office. Experts also say many online students have full-time jobs, families or other obligations, including unforeseen ones, which can make it more difficult to stay on top of their online course work.

And when they do fall behind, a sense of isolation can prevent them from reaching out for help.

Here are some steps students can take if they find themselves trying to catch up in their online class.

[Watch online students share time management tips.]

1. Contact the instructor: A student's relationship with his or her online professor will probably differ from that in an in-person course given the lack of face-to-face communication, says Josh Baron, assistant vice president of information technology for digital education at Marist College.

"I think they lose some of that personal connection, so they feel more intimidated and more uncomfortable reaching out to that person," Baron says.

However, experts say, it's still vital for students to ask their professor for assistance before they fall even farther behind and, in extreme circumstances, withdraw from the course completely or take an incomplete.

"The faculty are the ones that control the grade," says Elizabeth McKinley, an academic counselor for the online bachelor's in nursing program for registered nurses at the University of Arkansas. "They're the ones that can really help them and make those concessions, if they need to, say, submit something later."

Joe Chapman, director of student services at ASU Online, the online division of Arizona State University, says instructors -- or other resources, like academic coaches provided by the school -- could offer advice about how to better manage course loads and balance priorities.

"When circumstances are flagged earlier, it's much easier to work toward a solution and get back on track than if students don't raise the issue until late in the semester," Chapman said by email.

For Melissa Henson of Fayetteville, Arkansas, contacting her professor in her online nursing program through the University of Arkansas was crucial: She missed her first week of an eight-week class when she was injured in a car accident. Her instructor extended her deadlines and worked with her to give her time to make up the work she missed.

"The No. 1 thing is communication," she says. "If they know where I'm at, then they can work with me. If I'm not communicating with them, they can't help me out."

2. Reach out to other students: Speaking to other students in an online course can help online learners understand what others are doing to succeed academically, Knowles says.

"Group learning and being active in discussions is one way to see where you stand within the course based on what other students are delivering and kind of what's needed to get a decent grade in the course as well," Knowles says.

For Henson, reaching out to other students has proved to be an invaluable resource if she falls behind, especially since online learners don't have the in-class, real-time interaction with others that they would in a face-to-face classroom environment.

"We sort of help each other out, saying, 'How are you doing in this?' or 'I don't know how to find that,'" she says.

[Find out how to get academic help in an online course.]

3. Get reorganized: After falling behind in an online class, using an academic calendar to get organized is a great way to get back on track, says Baron, of Marist College. It's also important to start regularly checking into the course for any announcements or updates posted online and participating in online discussions, he says.

"Those can really flow throughout the whole week," says Baron. "If you don't keep up with those, you're basically having a discussion after everyone leaves the room."

Chapman recommends that students set goals for themselves and post them somewhere visible. Doing so can remind students why they decided to pursue a degree in the first place and help them stay motivated.

"Keeping the large picture in mind and remembering the importance of what they want to achieve is a valuable motivator for many online students," Chapman said via email.

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