Troy University
How to be a Successful eTROY Student
There is no question that learning brings power and success, and Troy University eTROY has opened a whole new chapter for its students to advance their education and career. Most anyone can succeed as an eTROY student if he/she follows the strategies outlined here. Many of these suggestions come from online learners who are excelling in the cyber classroom.
1. Make sure you have everything you need to start:
A list of computer requirements is posted on the Troy University website. Click here to make sure your computer meets the necessary specifications and that you have the right peripherals (printer, speakers, microphone, etc) and software (Adobe Acrobat to read PDF files, Microsoft Word for writing papers, etc). Once you have these things in place, make sure they all work. Troy University provides some software downloads, such as anti-virus programs, from its technical support page. Click here before you buy.
2. Be self-motivated and self-disciplined:
With the freedom and flexibility of eTROY courses comes responsibility. eTROY students, who participated in an interview on one of the Troy University campuses, confirmed that the online process requires a real commitment and discipline to keep up with the learning progression. You can easily fall behind in your online course work if you do not stay motivated. You will not be going to a classroom everyday where the teacher repeatedly reminds you of test and assignment due dates and so forth. You have to be a dedicated student in order to perform well in eTROY courses. It is up to you to check your course’s announcement page daily, ask questions when needed, keep up with the due dates and deadlines of your assignments and tests, and read assigned textbook chapters and other materials.
3. Develop a time-management strategy:
Time management is one of the biggest factors in succeeding at your eTROY courses. Successful eTROY students have to be very proactive in their studies and take responsibility for their own learning. It is very important that you manage your time and schedule your availability effectively to ensure regular attendance and participation in your classes. Most Troy University students who were interviewed noted that establishing regular study times helped them ensure enough time for class participation and timely assignment completion. One student commented, “Although the course material can be done at any time of the day that you choose, it is very important to create a standard schedule and follow it, setting specific study days and hours was one factor that helped me succeed. For example, in the evenings throughout the week, I read my lessons. Saturdays were generally reserved for writing assignments. Saturdays were also devoted to responding to other Discussion Board postings and adding to what I had already submitted.”
4. Take advantage of Support Services:
Troy University offers a variety of services to assist its students in becoming successful online learners. Continuing services include academic advising, library access, the writing center, student services advising, financial aid resources, and a variety of other information available on the eTROY website. A wide range of services are also available to you 24/7 under the Student Resources Tab in Blackboard. You will find the online tutoring service “SMARTTHINKING,” the Troy Global Campus Library, and contact information for eTROY support staff who work in various departments. You can also access training materials from the Student Resources tab in Blackboard. A variety of videos and documents to show you how to work Blackboard, Pronto, Turnitin (a plagiarism detection service), Remote Proctor, Trojan e-mail, and Trojan WebExpress is available. Make sure to take advantage of these services to facilitate your learning experience online.
5. Communication - Don’t be afraid to ask questions and interact with your instructor:
If you are experiencing difficulty either with the technology or with a course’s content, you must communicate this immediately to your instructor. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. As an eTROY student there are several ways to get the answers you are seeking. You can e-mail your instructor, call him/her on the phone, or post your question in the “ASK THE INSTRUCTOR” forum available in the Discussion Board. You can also request a chat session with your instructor in Wimba. eTROY provides first class support so that students never feel lost or alone during the e-learning process. Ask questions. Ask for help. Offer ideas. Always keep in touch with your instructor.
6. Make the most of online discussions:
The online Discussion Board is central to the learning experience at eTROY. Student interaction at eTROY occurs predominately through the Discussion Board, which allows instructors and students to interact in asynchronous time. Most instructors will expect you to answer questions weekly, as well as respond to your classmates’ posts. Therefore, students at eTROY are expected to communicate effectively in writing. You need to make sure you are prepared before posting any answers on the D.B. You should read your lessons and your textbook and do some extra research on the subject matter. Also, make sure to reflect on your classmates posts. Don’t just say “good post” or “I agree.”
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