As the Internet has risen in popularity and become more and more widespread, it is difficult to imagine a time when it wasn’t used on a routine basis. The Internet is such a major aspect of modern society that it has infiltrated almost every aspect of daily life. People now use the web for business, entertainment, communication and, above all, to get information.

Just one way people are becoming more informed with the use of the Internet is through distance learning courses. More and more people are choosing to forgo traditionally taught systems of higher education in favour of online classes, which often offer greater flexibility and less expensive tuition costs. In order to get the most out of an online education experience, however, it helps to know what to look out for when working with this less traditional learning platform.

First and foremost, those who are enrolled in distance learning courses are often required to be more independent, self-sufficient workers than traditional students who can benefit from having conversations with their tutors in person. With online courses there is less of a chance that you will be able to meet up with your professor or fellow classmates in person, as they may live a great distance away. Since you cannot rely on your classmates or your professor to remind you about assignments and upcoming exams, it helps to create your own study schedule and keep a calendar of assignment due dates for each semester you are enrolled in.

Before your distance learning course begins, it can be useful to create a space in your house or flat that lends itself well to studying. When deciding on where to set up your study area, it helps to choose a place that is clean, quiet and free of distraction. Working at a desk, as opposed to the kitchen table or in bed, can make it easier to focus when studying or participating in online discussions.

Though a desks and office chairs are useful, ensuring that you have an adequate digital workspace is equally if not more important than making sure you have the proper physical workspace. When taking a course online, it is essential to have reliable home broadband and a functioning desktop or laptop computer. Furthermore, it can be a good idea to block certain websites that might distract you while you are studying. If you find yourself continually checking your favourite blogs or social networking sites, look into setting up a program where you can block those sites during study sessions.

Fiona Roy writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.