Student Steps to Success

Students are encouraged to follow these five steps to success in online learning.

  1. Talk to your Mentor.
  2. Get oriented.
  3. Stay organized.
  4. Email your DLD Tutor.
  5. Ask for help.

1. Talk to your Mentor.

When you sign up for an online class through the DLD, your school assigns you to a Mentor. Your Mentor can help you:

  • Access your online course.
  • Contact your online instructor.
  • Get extra help with your coursework.
  • Make sure you're on track to complete your online course.

2. Get oriented.

Online learning is a whole new ball game. And every class is different. Before you start your work, get oriented!

Follow the Get Ready to Start steps.

Learn how to use your DLD email account.

Read the welcome messages in your DLD email account.

Look for orientation materials when you log in to your course. They'll be called "orientation materials," or "student orientation," or "getting started," or …. Read them! (Even if it doesn't say you have to.)

Ask your online instructor questions if you are confused about anything at all. (Copy your Mentor on these emails.)

3. Stay organized.

Buy a small binder for your online class and fill it with printouts of your:

  • Orientation materials.
  • Syllabus.
  • Assignments.
  • Homework.
  • Downloaded reading materials.

4. Email your DLD Tutor.

To get extra help with your coursework or future planning, email your DLD Tutor. Here's what your tutor can do for you.

Subject-specific help. Your tutor can give you extra help on any coursework that you're having a problem with. Send your tutor an email, and you'll get an answer within 24 hours.

College or career planning. If you are starting to make decisions about what to do when you graduate, pick your tutor's brain! You'll get some tips from someone who was exactly where you are just a few years ago.

5. Ask for help.

Just because your online instructor isn't in the classroom doesn't mean you can't raise your hand. You'll just need to raise it with an email. You can ask your online instructor for:

  • Help with the work for your class.
  • Answers to questions about an assignment.
  • Feedback on your grades for assignments and exams.
  • More information about what's expected of you in the class.