A common impression exists concerning higher education. It seems to polarize things dramatically. Many students struggle to get a C in a course, while others skate to an A.

Though in online courses (otherwise known as distance listening) you seldom see your classmates, this impression is no less relevant. This impression is, however, for the most part merely that -- an impression. What you don't see, whether in a traditional or online class setting, is the effort students expend on their way to academic glory. Some no doubt have figured out that it's one thing to work hard, but it's another thing to work smart.

Maximum positive outcome for minimum action is something after which you strive in so many areas of your life. Such economizing is common to higher education as well. This means that the right action taken promptly and at the appropriate moment can relieve you of tons of additional effort later in the semester.

If acing online courses is high on your priority list, the advice below can bring you a quite a way toward realizing this goal.

First the basics: Before your class begins, take the time to create a learning environment conducive to success. This involves laying in a few infrastructural fundamentals. Specifically, see to it that you:

• Purchase the highest-speed, most reliable broadband Internet connection you can afford;
• Scope your neighborhood out for free Wi-Fi connections that you can use as backups should you home connection fail;
• Use a jump or external hard drive to store backup copies of your completed assignments;
• Locate a quiet comfortable place in which to complete your coursework.

Once you have seen to these basics, you can concern yourself with course technology -- which you really ought to do before the online course officially begins. Specifically, you should make time to:

• Familiarize yourself with discussion forums, class menus, wikis, file locations, and so on
• Practice how to post to discussion boards or forums, and how to access files and other downloadable course material;
• Get in a few reps of uploading files, pictures, video content, and so on;

Once you have gotten a feel for the course's technology and interface you can attend more closely to the course material. Specifically, prior to the online course's commencement, see to it that you:

• Print and review the course syllabus;
• Double-check the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) of all assigned texts;
• Underscore, highlight, or otherwise make note of course policies, assignment instructions, grading policies, and participation guidelines, and other important information.

Once you have printed and reviewed those things, you can turn your attention to the discussion board. In online courses the discussion is the main forum in which the business of the class takes place. Discussions happen there, as do other sorts of important communication. A good showing on the discussion board can set you on the path to online course success. With this in mind, see to it that you:

• Understand in advance the rules and expectations attending use of the discussion board -- the number of times you must post, the length each post must be, the deadlines for posting;
• Read carefully the directions of every discussion board assignment before completing it;
• Use both your first and last name in every one of your discussion board posts;
• Word-process longer posts -- taking care to proofread for proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar -- and then paste them into the discussion board HTML field;
• Make a point of responding to your instructor's comments;
• Go out of your way to encourage your classmates' participation;
• Make a practice of posting thoughtful follow-up posts to any comments (either from the instructor or from fellow students) made on you initial posts.

Follow this advice and you'll really stand out in your online course. No matter whether your intended field of study is general studies or paralegal studies, a smart approach to distance learning brings academic success all that much closer!