Learning Online: 5 Tips from University of Utah MBA Online Students

LEARNING ONLINE:

5 TIPS FROM UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

MBA ONLINE STUDENTS

AS CLASSES GO ONLINE ACROSS THE WORLD, UNIVERSITY OF UTAH MBA

ONLINE STUDENTS OFFER THEIR ADVICE

As technology continues to develop and become better suited to offer world-class education from anywhere with an internet connection, many universities across the globe are taking their classes online. The David Eccles School of Business prides itself in the significant investments we have made in our online learning infrastructure.

Our in-house video production and instructional design teams along with state-of-the-art technology and studios have allowed us to produce an online MBA program that is ranked top 10 in the world. As online learning becomes a reality for countless students worldwide, we decided to solicit feedback from those who are already pros at it: current and former MBA Online students from the Eccles School. They graciously provided their knowledge and expertise on how to make the most out of an online education experience.

SET A SCHEDULE AND KEEP IT

Proper time management is key to success, and this sentiment was echoed in nearly every response. “It is much easier to procrastinate when your schedule is flexible. Lay out due dates and milestones you will need to hit in order to get your assignments completed,” says Bret Kent (Class of 2021), Assistant Superintendent of Technical Services at Intermountain Power Service Corporation.

BE PREPARED WITH TECHNOLOGY

Even with huge advances in stability and reliability, technical issues can still crop up. Hunter Wolfe (Class of 2022), Chief Growth Officer at Urban FT, says “Having done the majority of my undergrad online and being a remote worker for the better part of the last 15 years, I’ve learned that tech issues can pop up any time, so try not to put things off until just before the deadline. If your internet is down you’ll need to find an alternative way to connect. Do give a buffer and don’t plan on hitting submit just before it’s due.”

DON’T BE AFRAID TO CONNECT

Online learning does not have to equate to total isolation. In fact, it can foster a more robust connection with faculty and classmates if you take proactive steps. “Be engaged, use your camera when meeting with faculty and classmates, and participate. Do not multitask. Act like you are still sitting in class and the professor and other students can still see exactly what you are doing, even if they can’t,” says Lori Swenson (Class of 2017), Medical Director at Aetna.

Forging connections doesn’t need to be complicated. Jenna Webb (Class of 2020), Manager at America First Credit Union, suggests taking small steps utilizing collaboration software. “Start a Google hangout, text thread, or Slack channel, or set up additional study groups on Zoom if needed to help each other out with concepts and assignments.”

CREATE THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING

If you are accustomed to doing your job in one location and schoolwork in another, it can initially be jarring to combine both at home. Pierce Boggan (Class of 2021), Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, suggests “Have set times and places for working. This becomes especially important as more folks have to work from home and take classes at the same time. Even though I work from home and take classes remotely, I have separate spaces in my home for these activities so I don’t feel like I’m ‘always working’ or ‘always doing school’. Work in a location with natural light, if possible. Being cooped up all day is exhausting if you feel like you’re in a dungeon.”

EMBRACE THE UNIQUE BENEFITS OF ONLINE EDUCATION

Again and again, Eccles MBA Online students expressed confidence in the unique value of online education. “Online learning doesn’t mean less engagement, and in most instances, it means more engagement,” says Jake Zimmerli (Class of 2019), Financial Analyst at the University of Utah.

Dan Couriel (Class of 2021), Hematologist/Oncologist and Director of the Utah Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, says “From a practical perspective, you can do everything you do in an in-person class with all the flexibility. My experience has been so positive so far that it gave me the courage to switch all the clinics under my service online.”