First Things First

As writers, we handle all sorts of client’s writing needs and this goes beyond handling online classes on their behalf. As such, students provide us with their dashboard’s username and password for us to log in and attend to all the students’ online class activities. Since these students are located in another part of the world, we have to be on that other side as well. Meaning, if a student is from the United States, we have to make it appear that we are from the United States as well. Good thing is that we can do so in just a few clicks and Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the answer.

A VPN is a great tool that hides an IP address and lets a user choose his preferred IP address. In that regard, this tool lets writers be in the same location as the student. Since we are taking online classes on behalf of the students, it is important to download the software, log in to the downloaded VPN service, and connect to a server in the United States before logging in to the student’s online class account. In that way, the student is protected and any issues can be prevented.  

As we guarantee the client’s protection and security, always bear in mind to log in to a VPN service first. After that, it is now time to access the student’s online class account and do all the necessary class activities in line. Good luck!

The Importance of Reading and Understanding the Syllabus, Modules, and Announcement Sections

A student’s dashboard is usually divided into these sections: Announcements, Assignments, Discussions, Grades, Files, Syllabus, Quizzes, and Modules. We’ll be discussing the syllabus, modules, and announcements sections since these are oftentimes overlooked. Although other sections are considered more important since these are where grades are coming from, the syllabus, modules, and announcements sections hold the same importance because they contain valuable information about the course, information on passing the course in particular.

A syllabus contains the course description, objective, required materials, requirements, and policies. These are essential information that state in detail on how to get the desired passing grade. When you cannot find a piece of needed information or gets confused about something, the syllabus is to consult to since it has all the detailed information and that includes the class schedule with the corresponding due dates. Some syllabi are full-packed with information that even the most specific instruction on how to write the essay is stated.

Meanwhile, modules contain the contents of the course in general. This is where you can read and download reading materials and see at a glimpse the activity for the week. So if you are in a hurry to check things out, the modules section is the best way to find out.

The Announcements section, on one hand, is the most overlooked section among the three. Many students disregard this section as they believe that their professors just keep on repeating information that they already know such as quizzes and exam schedule. But, isn’t it great that aside from your calendar, someone out there is concerned to remind you about your upcoming tests, which in the first place, not his responsibility anymore. Besides, this section also bears an important message from the instructor on how to get extra credit. If you are a smart student, you’ll be likely to get interested to get that extra credit to have an A.

To be successful in taking online classes, writers have to read and understand these three sections. These sections have all the information and serve as the best consulting sections when an unclear instruction or concern arises.     

The Importance of Keeping Track of Deadlines

Keeping track of deadlines is the most crucial and exciting part. Exciting in a way that it is satisfying for fully loaded writers to be able to meet and beat deadlines. Yes, I have made it! However, isn’t it more satisfying and a great relief if you are not rushing things and cram to the last minutes? Besides, students have given their trust and confidence in us that at the end of the course, they will get an A or B.

As writers, we are already used to keeping track of deadlines as our clients also have due dates to meet. But admit it or not, some struggle to manage their time especially when the peak season comes in. To avoid missing important due dates, follow these tips:

1. Have a monthly calendar and hang it on the wall.

As much as possible, do not settle for calendars with small fonts, go for big ones. This makes you easier to see the dates and notes. You can also color important dates to get reminded. If you have the time, you can design your calendar if you find it more helpful.

2. Use a digital timeline system.

Use your smartphones and computer to keep track of deadlines. Every smartphone has a Calendar/Planner app in which you can key in upcoming events or tasks and it comes with an alarm or notification to remind you that you have a deadline to attend to. It is best to set the alarm three days before the deadline and have it alarm your every day. For example, if you have a deadline on January 23, start the alarm on January 22 and end it on January 25. In that way, you’ll be reminded to attend an upcoming online class activity.  Aside from the Calendar/Planner app in smartphones, Google Calendar is also a great tool to help you manage your time and schedule.

3. Check out the student’s dashboard every time you are online.

Hanging a calendar on the wall and making use of a digital timeline system will work best if you’ll go through your student’s dashboard every time you are online. In this way, you will be once reminded that there is a due date coming.

Always remember that we are taking online classes on behalf of students. It is now our responsibility to closely monitor their upcoming quizzes, discussions, assignments, and major exams. Even though we are fully aware of the fact that we are handling online classes and someone relies on us to give them high grades, it is still important for us to use tools to keep us reminded of various tasks and events.

How to Prepare for Upcoming Discussions, Quizzes, and Exams

Discussions, quizzes, and exams are always graded. Discussions and quizzes are weekly class activities. Sometimes, discussions are opinionated but the opinion must be connected to the topic during the week. It is then necessary to read the provided readings in the Canvas. Most of the time, the instructor gives a series of questions that can only be answered through reading the course materials. In this case, writers have to allocate time to read and analyze the text. The instructor also provides instruction on how to answer the prompts so we have to thoroughly follow that.

Quizzes are usually 10-item and multiple choice tests. This time, all questions come from the readings the instructor provided so we are required to read and understand them. The instructor gives the coverage of the quiz beforehand so writers have to check that out to ensure that we are reading the correct book chapters or handouts. When you are not yet ready to take the quiz, be careful not to click the “Take the Quiz” tab as it will automatically take you to the test proper.

When it comes to exams, the instructor also provides that scope of the exam and the prompt if there is an essay question. There are typically three major exams and that entails a lot of time to review and read. Also, make sure to check out the Announcements sections as instructors usually discuss their special instructions there that writers have to follow them as instructors deduct points for every missed direction.

Taking online classes makes us students in high school or college again since we are going to read, understand, and analyze the class lessons. It will be an exciting adventure to some but some writers may find it challenging since it necessitates a lot of readings. Therefore, when you take an online class, you have to prepare your heart and mind to easily absorb a bunch of old and new information.