{"id":2356,"date":"2023-09-07T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T16:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2356"},"modified":"2024-07-24T11:48:22","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T18:48:22","slug":"how-to-build-confidence-as-an-online-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/how-to-build-confidence-as-an-online-student\/","title":{"rendered":"How to build confidence as an online student"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Text<\/p>\n

An Oregon State graduate shares advice on learning to believe in your ability to succeed<\/h2>\n

Going back to school as an adult online learner was scary for me. I had tried college before, and for a number of reasons \u2014 some of them beyond my control \u2014 I never finished. It was a deep regret and a loss I carried for years. I did my best to make peace with it and went about making other plans.<\/p>\n

But as adults, we know plans don\u2019t always work out. This isn\u2019t always a bad thing; a lot of the time things eventually turn out to be even better than our original plan.<\/p>\n

That was true for me and, amazingly, I found myself as an student learning online with Oregon State University. Here I was with another chance to finish college, and I wasn\u2019t about to let the opportunity slip by me again.<\/p>\n

It’s OK to ask questions \u2014 even some weird ones<\/h3>\n

Still, I was nervous. I was older with some physical challenges, and I hadn\u2019t been in a classroom \u2014 in person or online \u2014 for years. I was intimidated by the online platform and everything else that comes with going back to school as an adult.<\/p>\n

There were all kinds of questions racing through my head.<\/p>\n

Do students still use paper? Do they still raise their hand to ask a question, and how do you raise your hand online? What if I\u2019m the oldest person there, and what if I\u2019m older than the instructor, and what if people think I\u2019m someone\u2019s mom<\/em>? Should I use the word \u201cslay\u201d when I\u2019m talking? <\/em><\/p>\n

Probably not.<\/p>\n

Clearly, confidence was not in my \u201cbag of tricks\u201d \u2014 or my \u201ccyberspace backpack.\u201d I had no idea how to do it or even if I could<\/em> do it.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, I chose Oregon State Ecampus.<\/p>\n

Tap into the expertise of a student success coach<\/h3>\n

Many colleges and universities lack adequate support and resources for their nontraditional students. This is not the case at Oregon State Ecampus. I was fully supported. My instructors were available from the start<\/a>, and I had a student success coach<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I had never heard of a \u201csuccess coach\u201d in academia, and I thought I might be too old for something like that. I also have to admit, since I\u2019ve always been very independent, I had a sneaking suspicion I was probably too cool for this \u201csuccess coach\u201d thing. But I wanted to be successful in school more than I wanted to figure things out on my own<\/strong>, so I met with him every week until I had a solid understanding of what online learning entailed.<\/p>\n

It made all the difference.<\/p>\n

Embrace your support system \u2014 success is a team effort<\/h3>\n

When I look back to see exactly how I went from a very nervous student to one who knew she belonged<\/a>, it\u2019s clear I did not make that transformation happen by myself. Building confidence was not a solo endeavor; it was a team effort.<\/strong> Faculty and staff were always ready to meet me more than halfway. In order for me to make strides in feeling capable and positive, I had to participate in this team sport by reaching out to my professors and ask questions when I didn\u2019t know things \u2014 and I didn\u2019t know anything.<\/p>\n

I also had to let the positive feedback I received sink in.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I reached out to my peers as well, even though I was often older than them and this sometimes made me feel awkward. But I really wanted college to work this time so I gave myself the best chance possible. I knew I would do better if I felt more comfortable in the classroom, and knowing a few of my peers would help me feel more comfortable.<\/p>\n

I would ask them things like, \u201cHello, how did that paper go?\u201d and \u201cDid you understand that problem?\u201d and \u201cDo you know when that assignment is due?\u201d and \u201cCartesian duality?!? Gag me with a spoon!\u201d<\/p>\n

Celebrate the small wins. They add up to something big.<\/h3>\n

Confidence grows from gathered moments; it rarely announces itself in a mighty blaze of glory. It comes from that great comment on a paper, or the sheer grit it takes to pass a test when it all seemed so pointless. It\u2019s getting up and making that phone call to iron out institutional red-tape. It\u2019s acknowledging the amazing insight of your fellow classmate because you\u2019ve noticed they\u2019ve seemed discouraged. Small things over time lead to a solid sense of self-assurance.<\/p>\n

The way to build confidence is to do things you are proud of.<\/strong><\/p>\n

My confidence builds when I participate. As a person who has been painfully insecure and has imposter syndrome just like everyone else, I\u2019ve realized my confidence increases when I increase my participation, and it diminishes when I diminish my contributions. So, I keep showing up and, moment by moment, I realize am a not the same person I was when I started this journey.<\/p>\n

I had no idea how college was going to work out, but it most certainly has. It works because I keep working.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The reward of education lasts forever<\/h3>\n

I was talking to a friend the other day, and I shared with her a recently discovered feeling now that I have graduated with my master\u2019s degree from Harvard. I realized this accomplishment is something I will never lose. I might lose my home, my possessions, but my education is mine. This is a confidence I didn\u2019t know was possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I returned to college as an adult online learner years ago, I didn\u2019t know if I could do it. Happily, things have turned out to be even better than my original plan.<\/p>\n

You got this.<\/p>\n

\n

Monique Lanier is a freelancer who also has a long history in writing, acting and music as a writer and performer. She earned her Oregon State University bachelor\u2019s degree online and a master\u2019s degree in theological studies from Harvard University<\/a>. She is now pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing with a focus on poetry at Oregon State.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span> 4<\/span> minute read<\/span><\/span>An Oregon State Ecampus graduate shares her advice on learning to believe in your ability to succeed as an online student \u2014 from celebrating the small wins to embracing your support system.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":2347,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,6,672,657,674],"tags":[591,30],"class_list":["post-2356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-ecampus","category-learning-experience","category-resources","category-tips","tag-ecampus-at-a-glance","tag-student-success"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Utility-article-Turn-self-doubt-into-confidence-while-learning-online-800x450-230602-v1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-C0","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1292,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/fisheries-and-wildlife-program-earns-award\/","url_meta":{"origin":2356,"position":0},"title":"Oregon State\u2019s fisheries and wildlife online program earns prestigious national award","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"November 20, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A track record of student success and faculty satisfaction have helped an Oregon State University online bachelor\u2019s degree program be honored as one of the nation\u2019s best. OSU\u2019s fisheries and wildlife sciences bachelor\u2019s program on Tuesday won the Online Learning Consortium\u2019s John R. Bourne Outstanding Online Program Award at a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A graphic with a trophy icon above the words fisheries and wildlife sciences, John R. Bourne Outstanding Online Program Award, set above the Online Learning Consortium's logo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/olc-fisheries-award-graphic.jpg?fit=744%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/olc-fisheries-award-graphic.jpg?fit=744%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/olc-fisheries-award-graphic.jpg?fit=744%2C558&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/olc-fisheries-award-graphic.jpg?fit=744%2C558&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1500,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/student-engagement-online\/","url_meta":{"origin":2356,"position":1},"title":"Engaging students in the online classroom is our passion","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"August 6, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"There's a myth that learning online means that students are disconnected from their instructors and classmates. When you learn online with Oregon State University, it's just the opposite. The Oregon State faculty who teach online work in partnership with the OSU Ecampus staff to provide students with an authentic sense\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Eric Broadfoot, Oregon State University Ecampus graduate in economics, who benefited from OSU's student support and engagement techniques.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/eric-broadfoot-student-engagement.jpg?fit=744%2C496&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/eric-broadfoot-student-engagement.jpg?fit=744%2C496&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/eric-broadfoot-student-engagement.jpg?fit=744%2C496&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/eric-broadfoot-student-engagement.jpg?fit=744%2C496&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1563,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/ecampus-director-wins-national-award\/","url_meta":{"origin":2356,"position":2},"title":"Oregon State Ecampus director of student success wins national award","author":"Carly Fredericks","date":"October 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Marleigh Perez, like many at Oregon State Ecampus, is committed to student success in a plethora of facets. This year, she's lauded for her accomplishments by the Online Learning Consortium, a national resource for all things online education.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Portrait of Marleigh Perez, director of student success for Oregon State University Ecampus","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/marleigh-perez-student-success.jpg?fit=744%2C427&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/marleigh-perez-student-success.jpg?fit=744%2C427&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/marleigh-perez-student-success.jpg?fit=744%2C427&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/marleigh-perez-student-success.jpg?fit=744%2C427&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1307,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/affordability-conference-at-osu\/","url_meta":{"origin":2356,"position":3},"title":"Regional conference on affordability for online students coming to Oregon State","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"December 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Oregon State University is hosting a regional conference in February 2020 with a focus on improving student success and affordability for online learners. The event brings the Online Learning Consortium to OSU\u2019s Corvallis campus for a one-day event in the Memorial Union. Scheduled for Feb. 7, OLC Collaborate \u2013 Oregon\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"The front of the Memorial Union building on Oregon State University's Corvallis campus.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/memorial-union-osu.jpg?fit=744%2C496&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/memorial-union-osu.jpg?fit=744%2C496&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/memorial-union-osu.jpg?fit=744%2C496&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/memorial-union-osu.jpg?fit=744%2C496&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1391,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/2020-ecampus-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":2356,"position":4},"title":"Oregon State faculty, staff earn awards for online learning innovation, engagement","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"May 6, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"At OSU Ecampus, we partner with nearly 1,000 Oregon State faculty members each year, and we constantly stand\u00a0in awe of their expertise and innovation. The annual Oregon State Ecampus Awards recognize our outstanding partners who go above and beyond. This year, we honor five faculty and staff members who demonstrate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/maxresdefault.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/maxresdefault.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/maxresdefault.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/maxresdefault.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/maxresdefault.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1746,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/ecampus-honors-faculty-staff-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":2356,"position":5},"title":"OSU Ecampus honors faculty, staff for commitment to online learning and students","author":"Carly Fredericks","date":"May 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Oregon State Ecampus Awards showcase OSU Ecampus faculty and staff commitment to online education, student success and course development. Through innovation, iteration and integrity, these Ecampus partners take on life's biggest challenge: shaping this world's future through education.","rel":"","context":"In "All Stories"","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2356","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2356"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2356\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2347"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2356"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2356"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2356"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}