Navigating dual credit college courses as a high school student can be full of challenges. Still, with most colleges and universities switching to online classes under the current COVID-19 pandemic, it can be seen as a nearly insurmountable challenge. Actually, online courses present a challenge for most students because it requires discipline, organization, and resourcefulness, all of which must be cultivated over time. The new reality for many dual credit students today is that there is no time to fully develop the necessary skills before diving into a semester of online courses exclusively.

You can help your dual credit student tremendously by supporting them to implement these three simple steps designed to help high school students survive and thrive in an all-online dual credit course environment.

1. Establish and stick to routines

Online students need structure, and a study calendar is a great way to create it together. Paper or digital, the type of calendar doesn’t matter as long as students track their daily and weekly schedules. To get started, help your high school schooler establish a daily routine for getting the day started. Maybe he likes to start the day with exercise, meditation, or journaling. Regardless of how he begins the day, make sure he develops a simple routine and sticks with it. Once he has added a daily routine to his calendar, have him check his syllabus for assignments and assessments to add to his schedule, committing to the due dates. Don’t forget to have him include time to study, practice, and review course material.

2. Communicate often and early

One drawback of online classes is the convenience and flexibility that the courses provide as students access course materials at any time. However, that flexibility can be dangerous because students could be tempted to only check-in when the course materials are due. In many ways, freedom can lead to bad habits of procrastination and making excuses. Don’t let flexibility become a barrier for your student; instead, have them create the structure they need by scheduling a regular check-in time with their instructor over assignments, assessments, and course performance. If he struggles or falls behind, encourage him not to stay silent. Encourage him to reach out immediately to his high school counselor and college instructor to share his specific challenges and to seek assistance. There is nothing worse than seeing a student struggle, not knowing that the instructor is willing and able to provide support and guidance to eliminate their problems.

3. Look Back and Ahead

Knowing what is due weeks from now, not just the next day, can help students maximize their time. Guide your student to make a habit of doing a daily and weekly review where he looks ahead to identify upcoming assignments and deadlines for important tasks. However, he shouldn’t forget to examine a couple of days back to make sure he doesn’t miss anything that needs urgent attention. The more he reviews his schedule, the less likely he will miss an assignment or task, and the more likely he will be able to keep up with a realistic workload.

Don’t let the autonomy and flexibility presented by online dual credit courses be an excuse for your student to crash and burn this semester. Take advantage of the opportunities offered this semester to help your high school student develop the discipline, organization, and resourcefulness needed to thrive in any dual credit course. For a bright future in an all-online dual credit environment, help your student implement the practical strategies of establishing and sticking to routines, communicating often and early, and always looking back and ahead.