To be a successful online student, you must be prepared, organized, and have some basic computer skills before getting started. Here are the 5 most important steps for being a successful UB Online student:
1) Become familiar with your computer before your first course starts
If you are not already comfortable with using your computer, spend some time “surfing” the Internet (visiting different websites), sending emails, and using your word processor. Then, one week prior to your first online course, you will be emailed instructions on accessing our online orientation, an interactive course which will teach you how to use our online classroom. Here are the computer requirements & support resources for online courses.
2) Prepare for your course ahead of time
Decide which courses you want to take and register early. While online courses are flexible, they do follow a weekly schedule, and many fill up early, so early registration is advised. Read the syllabus. A syllabus for each online course can be found on our Online Course Schedule page. Click on the title of the course and you will be able to get an overview of each course before it starts. Order your textbooks. Each syllabus will also list the textbooks required for the course. Textbooks must be ordered online so please order your textbooks in advance to ensure that you will receive them before the course starts. For more information about how online courses work, read our Online Course Instructions.
3) Set aside time to study
You should plan to login at least 2-3 times each week. While online courses are convenient and flexible, they typically follow a weekly schedule, so plan to visit each course at least 2-3 times each week to get your course materials, interact with other students, and complete your assignments. Know your course deadlines. Each instructor will give you guidelines and deadlines for completing assignments, and keep in mind that with the flexibility of taking an online class comes the responsibility to complete your work on time. Participate as much as possible. One of the most important benefits of online learning is the ability to learn with and from your classmates. So participate in course discussions and interact with your instructors as much as possible.
4) Ask questions when you are not sure
Maintain contact with your instructors. Each course is designed and organized by the instructor, so if you have questions about finding course documents, deadlines for assignments, or course topics, please contact your instructor. You will find contact information for your instructors on the syllabus and in each online classroom.
5) Login to myUB regularly
The myUB portal is your gateway to Canvas, UB email, Webadvisor, and the electronic library, so students should login to myUB regularly.