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How to Network in Online Classes

American National University brings the university to our students as they study from the comfort of their own home with our High Tech, High Touch innovations. While our students do not meet in person, they do get to meet over Zoom sessions to have discussions and learn from their career-professional professors. Students do not lose on creating their own networks – if anything, students will make connections with like-minded professionals across the globe to enhance their professional networks. There are plenty of other skills and tools that our students can utilize to build their connections so that they have a developed and productive network.

Create a Strong Social Profile

LinkedIn is one of the most invaluable social media platforms for people looking to increase their professional network. One of the best ways for students to market themselves and surround themselves with others in their field is through LinkedIn. If a student adds ANU as a part of their schools, they can connect with other students and alum.  This can help our students grow their networks and expanding their opportunities in their chosen career fields. If you are or are looking to become an ANU student, utilize LinkedIn to increase your network and job opportunities by connecting with us!

To stand out on LinkedIn, here are a few tips:

1. Choose a Good Profile Picture: Make sure your photo is recent and looks like you. Along with that, make sure your face takes up at least 60% of the space. Make sure that your picture only includes you. And choose the right expression – a smiling face opens your profile up more than an angry expression.
2. Share Your Story: Sure, LinkedIn is for career professionals, but that doesn’t mean you have to be all about your skills or work experience. The beauty of social media is that it is a platform for humans to be, well, human! Let your summary reflect that you aren’t just a worker, but a human doing the job. Bring your skills and workplace experiences to life with how they mattered to you and your colleagues.
3. Your Headline Doesn’t Have to Just Be Your Job Title: The world will see “marketing analyst” or “medical biller” or “pharmacy technician” as your headline. However, it doesn’t just have to be that! You can talk about how you view yourself in your role or the passion that you have for your field.

Participate in Classroom Discussions

Students at ANU don’t meet as often as students attending classes on a campus. That does not mean there isn’t ample opportunity to meet other like-minded professionals. When students meet biweekly with their classes, they get to speak with their professors and fellow classmates. In this discussion time, our students can really understand and develop a friendship that can grow their networks. This is the start of our students network with like-minded professionals. Many of our students and alum have something in common – the closeness they feel with their professors and classmates. Many times, our students in the same field share many of their classes together and form deep bonds and connections with one another. Take it from a few of our students/alums:

“You become like a family with your teachers and other classmates, it’s very comforting… Everybody supported each other no matter what anybody said. It was a great overall experience. That’s another thing I like about ANU: everyone just feels comfortable.” – Jennifer Kojro

• “They were like family to me, so at the end of our MBA program, it brought tears to my eyes…it was like home to me because of the people at ANU.” – Rupali Patel
• “We’ve created this small family here at ANU in the paralegal program, which as it’s growing, it’s becoming more enriched.” – Lora Bernard

Speak with Career Services

Our Career Services team is here to support our students in finding a job in the field that they studied. They are there to support them every step of the way – and they will have the connections students need to create a strong network. They help students develop their resume and job applications to help them secure the job they desire. Career Services offers many different ways to assist our students, like mock interviews, interview preparation, and career advice, among many. They will have the advice they are seeking in creating a well-developed network to advance their career.

Connect with Your Professors

The best way to help you develop your network is by starting from the top. Our professors are career professionals who have experience in the field you are studying. If anyone has network connections, it would be those that you learn from. Not only could they become part of your network, but they can give you helpful tips to help build yours. Your professors also can help you move up in your career.

Our students agree: our professors are there to help you and see you succeed. When you need them, they will respond! Click here to read many of our student testimonials that explain just how influential our professors are to student success.

With our innovative online education systems, students at American National University will never miss out on important networking connections. Utilizing discussions, the services we offer, and professors, our students can create a global network. To learn more about our High Tech, High Touch programs, go to an.edu/elearning.

American National University – Be live, in class, from anywhere.

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Certificate, Diploma, and Skill Credential Programs

When working towards a successful career, one you’re already in or even a brand-new field, you may need skills to bolster your resume and beat out the competition. Certificate, diploma, or skill credential programs at American National University provide you the opportunity to learn new skills or build upon existing ones so that you can continue to climb in your profession. Whether you’re looking to build skills without the time and cost of a college degree for an entry-level job or to move into a specialized area within your field, college certificates and diplomas will give you what you need to get where you want to be. Explore the benefits of the programs ANU offers and the career benefits they could mean for you!

What Certificate, Diploma, and Skill Credential Programs Does ANU Offer?

ANU offers several programs in different fields, such as business or health sciences to name a few, to give you the competitive edge you need to stand out and rise in your chosen career. Our programs that don’t need previous college education are:

• Medical Billing and Coding – Here you will gain skills and knowledge alongside ethical responsibilities to perform the functions of a medical biller and coder. You can break into the world of medical billing and coding with this diploma program.
• Pharmacy Technician – In this program, you will learn laboratory skills and gain field experience through an externship in our pharmacy technician program. Join the growing pharmacy field with this diploma program.

If you already earned a degree, you could also earn skill credentials in these programs:

• Administrative Medical Assisting – With your pre-existing college degree, in this program you will earn the necessary skills for entry-level positions in this fast-growing medical field.
• Accounting – If you come from a business background or are looking to join the world of business, this extensive curriculum of accounting principles will prepare you to be a business leader.
• Business Administration – If you’re looking to climb the business ladder, this program will allow you to take on more managerial roles with a broadened understanding of business practices and concepts.
• Phlebotomy and ECG Technician – Already in the medical field and looking to specialize in something? This program will help you learn the key components to become a Phlebotomy + ECG Technician in order to bolster your resume for the healthcare field.
• Paralegal – Looking to join the legal side of business? This program provides the knowledge you need to become a paralegal in our ABA approved program.
• Medical Assisting – Medical Assistants are multi-talented healthcare professionals, skilled in performing routine clinical and administrative procedures for healthcare settings. This program can help you broaden your understanding of the healthcare field.

Why Should I Earn a College Certificate or Diploma?

1. Save Time and Money: With ANU’s certificate and diploma programs, you can find entry level work in health science fields of Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, or Nurse Aide (if you reside in Pikeville, KY). These programs will allow you to get into the field you want without having to attend an associate or bachelor’s degree program, so that not only will you save time, but you will save money with our low-cost tuitions. Not only that, but you will be in the workforce sooner, so you can start earning money sooner.
2. Develop Specialized Skills: All our diploma and skill credential level programs are made to help you find your next career move. Whether you decide to work in a pharmacy, focus on accounting in business, or want to become a phlebotomist, you can find new areas to unlock specific skills and new interests that you may not have had a chance to discover previously in your career.
3. Bolster Your Resume: When you attend either our diploma and certificate programs or our skill credential programs, you will be bolstering your resume with new skills. Employers are always looking for those employees who take the initiative to learn and grow in their careers, and our programs will be proof that you put the time and work in to do just that. And having these skills on your resume will give you a chance to stand out amongst other applicants for the job you really want.

Why Should I Choose ANU for My Certificate/Diploma Program?

American National University’s accelerated programs allow you to earn your diploma faster. In as soon as ten months, you can have a certificate to boost your resume and climb up in your career so that you can earn faster. Along with that, we have low tuition costs, and applications are free for all undergraduate and diploma programs. Any materials you may need to finish your classes, such as textbooks or lab equipment, are included in your tuition. ANU wants to see you succeed in your career, and we have designed programs so that you can continue to move up in your profession.

Amanda Perry enrolled in our Medical Billing and Coding program as her way to get into the medical field. Along with that, a large healthcare facility located near her home had ample opportunity for her to join the career that she wanted. When recalling her online education with ANU for her diploma, she remarks, “I expected a whole lot less but got a whole lot more. The distance [learning] has turned out wonderful for me.” And some of her advice to other people looking to join ANU’s programs were to be committed – so that you can make yourself “more appealing to the job market once you’re finished!”

ANU also has stackable degrees—if you join one of our certificate and diploma programs, those credits could go towards earning your associate or bachelor’s degree in your field. For example, the credits you earn in our Medical Billing and Coding program can count towards our associate degree of that same program—just as Amanda Perry plans to do once she completes her diploma. he hopes that once she graduates with her diploma and is hired by the healthcare facility near her, and that she can get her associate degree and further her education through ANU.

These days, a skill credential, certificate, or diploma can allow you to learn new things, find new interests, and boost your resume so that you can do more in the workforce. ANU’s all-inclusive, low tuition and accelerated programs can help you on your educational journey. You can build towards successful careers when you enroll in one of our certificate or diploma programs. To learn more about these programs, go to an.edu/certificate-diploma-and-skill-credential-programs/.

American National University – Be live, in class, from anywhere.

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Effective Studying

Earning your degree at American National University is a rewarding experience that comes from hard work and self-discipline. Many of ANU’s students attend their classes after working their full-time job that supports their family. We know that our students are balancing much more than school during their academic journey. While juggling so much on their plates, we want to help all of our students earn their diplomas in the easiest and most effective ways.

Studying in higher education can be difficult for many reasons. You must study more when earning a degree or diploma after high school—and many are not taught proper study skills they need to succeed. At ANU, all we want is for our students to succeed—we want to give effective studying tips so that you can optimize your time and reduce your frustration so that you can stay on track in your classes.

• Find a Study Strategy That Works for You

There are many different, scientifically proven strategies that can help you study. And no one way is the right way!

There is the THIEVES method: Read the Title, look through the Headings, skim the Introduction, look at Every first sentence of a section, look at the Visuals and vocabulary that are highlighted, review the End questions at the end of a chapter, and read the Summary of the chapter.

There is the SQ3R method: Skim through the content, Question yourself about the content, Read the text carefully and look for the answers to the questions you asked, Recite the answers to your previous questions and take notes on them, and Review what you have done.

And there are also many other ways to study. Take notes while in class, review your notes, even rewrite your notes. When rewriting your notes, clean them up so that only the most important information is before you, add visuals to your notes to help you remember. The act of writing and rewriting your notes will help you retain the material. Along with that, these notes can help you create other study materials, such as flash cards, that you can read over and practice with.

You can also create a study group with your classmates and peers. In a group, you can ask questions to each other to better understand the information. You can quiz or test each other and go over those tests to gain a better understanding through someone else’s perspective. And studying with peers makes it fun rather than feeling like a chore!

• Become a Teacher

No, we don’t mean literally. However, put yourself in the role of an educator. You have to understand the material in order to teach it to someone else. How would you present it in order for someone else to learn? Recruit a family member or friend to be your “student” and lecture them on the topic. If they have questions, would you be able to answer them? Much like studying in a group, having someone else be your student and give you their perspective can allow you to see your studying material in a new way!

Katherine Kowalski explains it best in how many college students learn their material through a paper written by McDaniel et al, “If information just seems sort of random, ask more questions. Make sure you can explain the material. Better yet, he says, see if you can explain it to someone else. Some of his college students do this by calling home to explain what they’re learning to their parents.”

• Learn From Your Mistakes

The good side of studying is that you can make plenty of mistakes without consequence. Making mistakes will actually help you if you learn from them. When testing yourself, getting an answer wrong will show you what areas you need to focus on more. No human is perfect, but “failing” while studying can help you boost your knowledge.

• Manage Your Schedule and Your Stress

When it comes to studying, make sure to schedule your time. Some classes may be harder and require more time to look over their materials, whereas others may take less time. Along with that, schedule breaks so you aren’t trying to cram all your information in at once—which research shows it’s bad to try to cram all your studying in the day before a big test.

Along with that, schedule your study sessions weeks in advance to exams and tests. Studying does not come naturally to most—you have to make time to do it. The more times you study, the more likely you are to pass your quiz/test. The more times you have to practice and study the information, the closer you will be to mastering the subject—as the cliché goes, practice makes perfect.

Visit our Time Management article to learn how to best schedule your time and studying sessions. And be sure to read our Burnout prevention article to help avoid academic burnout while on your educational journey.

• Know When to Stop

Much like our Time Management article will tell you, time is not what needs to be managed, but people are. And yes, you should schedule time to study, but you should also schedule time to relax. Your body needs rest, and your mind needs to have fun. Don’t overwork yourself when that will only lead to stress and demoralization. Allow yourself to have fun without worrying about studying, or classes, or work. Spend time with friends, family, or loved ones. Get your mind away from responsibility so that you can come back with fresh eyes and a new perspective—which will only help you study!

When taking your breaks, get restful sleep, and eat foods that help improve your memory and focus. Such foods include dark chocolate, nuts and seeds, whole grains, avocados, eggs, and broccoli. Even a cup of coffee will help boost your energy and increase your brain’s capacity for processing information!

• Ask For Help

It’s been mentioned to work in a study group or ask someone to be your “student” so that you can have a well-rounded study session. However, you can also ask your professors for help when you need it. With our Global Learn™ initiative, many of our faculty have experience in the fields they teach. They will be your experts in learning—so utilize them in all the ways you can! Email them, meet with them, or ask all the questions you have during your classes. Your professors are there to teach and help you!

 

At American National University, we want to see you succeed and earn your diploma. These study tips will hopefully prepare you for your classes. With over 130 years of educating students just like you, we want you to be ready for any challenges that may come your way. With our High Tech, High Touch™ approach to your education, you can be live, in class, from anywhere. We offer much more than an “online” degree, we offer you an entire university—classes and resources to student services and more—from the comfort of your own home. Learn more about the services we can offer you anywhere you are at https://an.edu/elearning/.

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Burnout

At American National University, we pride ourselves on being the university where students with families and careers can earn their education. Whether you are a new or returning student, we know that it can be hard to manage academic life, especially when you have additional responsibilities. With that in mind, it is easy to become burnt out because of your career, academics, and your personal life. How do you recognize burnout in stress and how do you fix the stress?

What is Burnout?

The World Health Organization recognizes occupational burnout, and describes it as: “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.”

Along with that, there is a phenomenon of educational burnout as well. Tyler Epps from bestcolleges.com refers to “college burn-out” as “an extended period of extreme fatigue and apathy that often results in a decline in academic performance. In college, burnout can be triggered by a variety of factors, but it’s most often caused by overwhelming work demands and prolonged levels of intense stress.”

All in all, the two types are not very different from one another—they both come from untreated stress from overwhelming work demands. Working a full-time job, managing a family, and going to school all at once can lead to this happening and we want to help avoid this! But how do you recognize when you are facing burnout?

What are the symptoms?

• Overly tired or constant exhaustion
• Loss of interest in work or school
• Decreased ability to do your job or schoolwork

Burnout also leads to anxiety and depression, so be on the lookout for these symptoms as well:

• Irritability or annoyance
• Frustration or anger
• Restlessness or anxiety
• Lack of motivation

How do I avoid burnout?

Although burnout can seem daunting, there are ways to prevent yourself from falling into such stress and strife. Here are some tips!

• Manage your time: Stress and feelings of being overwhelmed can be avoided if you know how you use your time and plan effectively. Check out our post on time management for advice on how to gain control over your schedule!
• Make time for fun: With everything that you may have to do between work, home, and school, make sure you are deliberately giving yourself free time to do things you enjoy. Allowing yourself the time to step away from your responsibilities will allow you to take a break, while also allowing you to return to your work with fresh eyes and new outlooks.
• Prioritize sleep: We know this is a difficult one. Between balancing your academic and career responsibilities, you may also have children who deprive you of a good night’s rest. Michael Breus with The Sleep Doctor says that sleep is important for workplace and school performance, “during sleep, your brain creates and maintains pathways that are critical for memory formation and retention. These processes help enhance learning and problem-solving skills.” Experts recommend that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep. Try to get into a sleep routine of going to bed at the same time every night in a dark and quiet room (free from any electronics) in an environment where you won’t wake up too hot or too cold.
• Ask for help: Arguably our most important tip: Please ask for help and use the resources that are available to you here at ANU! We know that asking for help can be a struggle, however, at ANU, we have more than plenty of lines of support you can go to when you suspect you’re burnt out. Talk with your boss about your workload and how they can help you succeed in your career while you earn your education. Speak with your professors for help not only with assignments and due dates, but also ask for their tips for online learning success. Reach out to career services and student services to find more help from our faculty!

College presents its own challenges that students have to face, and students at ANU may also be dealing with other responsibilities like taking care of a family or working a full-time job. All of this piled on without proper management can cause burnout, not only in the workplace, but academically. We want our students to recognize this and work to prevent it in order to be academically successful and earn their degrees.

At American National University, we offer you so much more than just your education, but student resources and support every step of the way—all from your home. Be live, in class, from anywhere. To learn more about the services we offer you, go to an.edu/elearning or head over to our FAQ page at https://an.edu/frequently-asked-questions-about-online-learning/