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.
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Troy University
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.
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Troy University
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 elearning 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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