"You don’t have to know everything. You just have to know where to find it." – Albert Einstein

Online courses are powerful study tools. Unlike traditional tutoring, they provide access to diverse resources, self-paced learning, and specialized topics.

Whether you're looking to reinforce core concepts, tackle challenging subjects, or boost your overall GPA, they offer a practical solution that can fit the busiest of schedules.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

1. How online courses complement your studies: these can complement existing coursework, filling in knowledge gaps and enhancing your understanding.
2. Practical steps to integrate online courses into your study routine: learn how to plan your use of these courses to maximize their utility.
3. Real-life examples: see how students use courses to improve their grades.

Let's dive in!

Ideal study aid

Taking online courses when you're already overwhelmed with your regular coursework may seem paradoxical. The reality, however, is that these courses provide personalized learning in a flexible manner, one that helps you tackle tough topics, catch up, and even get ahead.

We like to think of online courses, when used properly, as complements or even complete substitutes to tutoring. The difference being that online courses give you the power to learn at your own pace.

This flexibility means you can revisit concepts until they click or explore new ones when you’re ready. With countless subjects available, online courses can act as a study aid that fits your unique needs.

Useful features

Here are some of the ways online courses can support you in your academic journey:

1. Flexibility to learn at your own pace: Online courses let you pause, rewind, and replay material as often as you need. This helps you truly absorb the content.
2. Another perspective: Sometimes, a fresh explanation can make all the difference. Hearing a topic taught by a different instructor, with a new teaching style, can help you understand concepts that seemed confusing in class.
3. Filling knowledge gaps: If you missed or didn’t fully understand a topic in class, an online course can provide focused explanations to bridge those gaps.
4. Access to expert instruction: Many online courses are taught by seasoned professors from top universities or from industry experts from leading companies, giving you insights from some of the best in the field.
5. Reinforcement of classroom learning: Use online courses to review difficult concepts or deepen your understanding of material covered in lectures.
6. Exploration beyond the curriculum: Interested in a topic your university doesn’t cover? Online courses can expand your knowledge into areas that spark your curiosity or align with your career goals.

Online courses don’t just help you keep up—they can empower you to excel. By taking control of your learning, you’ll build confidence and skills that will benefit you long after exams are over.

Integrating into your study plan

Realizing all of these benefits in your online courses requires some strategic planning. In fact, without proper planning, adding online courses may end up wasting your time without yielding any real value.

To get the most out of your courses, start by identifying specific areas where you need the most support. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

1. Are you struggling with a particular subject or concept?
2. Do you need to reinforce foundational knowledge?
3. Do you need to explore advanced topics?

By pinpointing your needs, you'll increase the chances that you select the most relevant courses. This will help mitigate wasting any time and/or needlessly adding to your workload.

Once you’ve chosen a course, create a realistic study schedule that complements your university workload.

Depending on your needs, you may want to treat your online courses like any other class, setting aside dedicated time each week to engage with the material. Or you may wish take parts of a course selectively.

One word of advice: if an online course you've selected isn't adding value to your studies, reevaluate immediately. Are you failing to gain anything from it because the presentation and the teaching style is too similar to that of your program's courses? Or is it muddying your understanding and creating points of confusion than clarification? If it's either, you may wish to try a new course or seek conventional tutoring.

Practical steps to integrate online courses into your routine

Here are some tips to make online courses an effective part of your study plan:

1. Set clear goals for your learning: Before starting an online course, identify what you want to achieve. Are you trying to improve your grades in a specific subject or prepare for an upcoming exam? Clear goals will help you focus and make better use of your time.
2. Choose courses that fit your needs: Look for courses that directly align with what you’re studying or fill gaps in your knowledge. Apps like OpenCourser make it easy to compare options and read reviews before committing.
3. Plan study blocks for consistency: Set aside regular times to work on your online course. Consistent effort—even if it’s just 20–30 minutes a day—can lead to big improvements over time.
4. Integrate online courses with your class materials: Use online courses to reinforce what you’re learning in lectures or textbooks. For example, if you’re struggling with calculus, find a course that offers step-by-step problem-solving to support your classroom lessons.
5. Track your progress and adapt: Pay attention to what’s working. If a course isn’t meeting your needs, don’t hesitate to adjust your plan or switch to a different one. The goal is to keep moving forward.

By thoughtfully incorporating online courses into your study plan, you can enhance your learning without feeling overwhelmed. This structured approach ensures that your supplemental learning aligns with your academic goals, leading to better outcomes.

Case studies

Consider these scenarios where students use online courses to address their challenges. Each of these examples highlights ways you might wish to integrate courses to achieve realistic outcomes.

Sarah’s approach to mastering calculus

Sarah, a second-year engineering student, struggles with advanced mathematics, particularly calculus. Traditional tutoring is expensive and scheduling conflicts with her part-time job make it impractical. She decides to enroll in an online calculus course from a reputable platform, focusing on core concepts she finds most challenging.

By dedicating two hours a week to structured, self-paced learning, Sarah gradually improves her understanding. While she doesn’t become a calculus expert overnight, her exam scores improve from barely passing to consistently above average.

Alex’s strategy for tackling statistics

Alex, a graduate business student, finds quantitative methods daunting, especially statistical analysis. Recognizing his difficulties early, he supplements his university coursework with an online statistics course. He works through interactive modules and completes practice exercises aligned with his university syllabus.

Though progress is slow, by revisiting tough topics multiple times, Alex gains confidence. He achieves a solid pass in his final exam, demonstrating a marked improvement from earlier struggles.

Emma’s plan to enhance her essay-writing skills

Emma, a first-year liberal arts student, often receives feedback that her essays lack clarity and structure. To address this, she enrolls in an online course focused on academic writing and critical thinking. The course offers video lectures and peer-reviewed assignments, which she completes in parallel with her university essays.

Over the semester, Emma’s writing becomes more organized, and her professors notice incremental improvements. While her grades don’t skyrocket immediately, they show a steady upward trend.

Jason’s approach to understanding organic chemistry

Jason, a biology major, finds organic chemistry particularly challenging due to its complex structures and reactions. He selects an online course with visual aids and practice problems that reinforce his classroom learning. Jason schedules weekly study sessions, aligning the course content with his university lectures.

While he initially struggles to keep up, the additional practice helps solidify his understanding. By exam time, he feels more prepared and achieves a respectable improvement in his grade.

Priya’s method for brushing up on coding basics

Priya, a computer science student, realizes she’s struggling with programming fundamentals, which affects her performance in advanced classes. She uses an online Python course to review core concepts, working through coding challenges in her free time.

Though she finds it demanding to balance this with her regular coursework, Priya’s coding skills gradually improve. Her project quality in university assignments increases, and she performs better in coding interviews for internships.

Key takeaways from these scenarios

1. Targeted effort helps address specific weaknesses: Focusing on key areas where you need support can lead to steady improvements.
2. Consistency matters more than intensity: Small, regular study sessions are often more effective than last-minute cramming.
3. Realistic expectations lead to sustainable progress: While online courses are powerful tools, they require dedication and complement, rather than replace, classroom learning.

These examples show that with thoughtful integration and realistic goals, online courses can play a significant role in improving academic performance. They provide accessible, flexible support that aligns with individual learning needs, helping students achieve steady and meaningful progress.

How to find the right online courses

Finding the right online course starts with understanding your goals. Are you looking to master a specific topic, prepare for an exam, or gain new skills?

Once you know what you need, research courses by comparing their content, instructor expertise, and reviews. Look for courses with detailed syllabi and clear outcomes to ensure they align with your objectives. Finally, check for flexible schedules, affordability, and supplementary resources like practice exercises or projects.

OpenCourser can help with this research, allowing you to make informed decisions about which courses will best meet your academic needs.

How we can help you

1. Search with purpose: Start by entering specific keywords related to your subject, such as "calculus fundamentals" or "academic writing." OpenCourser’s search engine will present a curated list of relevant courses from various providers. You can filter results by factors like difficulty level, provider, and course duration to match your requirements.
2. Review key course details: Each course page provides essential information, including the course title, a concise summary, and the provider (e.g., universities or platforms like Coursera and edX). Look for details such as the instructor's name, course syllabus, and start and end dates to ensure the content aligns with your needs and academic calendar.
3. Evaluate through reviews: OpenCourser aggregates reviews from past students, offering insights into the course’s strengths and potential drawbacks. The “Traffic Lights” feature highlights key aspects at a glance—green for strengths, yellow for caution points, and red for possible dealbreakers—helping you quickly determine if a course is the right fit.
4. Utilize the “Activities” section: This feature suggests practical tasks to enhance your learning before, during, and after the course. For example, you might review specific concepts before starting or work on a project after completing the course. These activities reinforce knowledge and help apply what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios.
5. Explore related resources: Many courses link to a “Reading List” of relevant books, offering additional study material. This integration ensures you have access to both course-specific content and broader learning resources, enhancing your understanding of the subject.

By leveraging our tools, you can find high-quality online courses with ease.

Best practices: juggling online courses with a full schedule

Balancing online courses with university coursework or other commitments can be challenging. However, with effective strategies, you can maximize your learning while staying on top of your existing responsibilities.

Prioritize and plan your learning

Start by assessing your weekly schedule and identifying pockets of time that you can dedicate to online courses. Treat these study blocks as non-negotiable appointments, similar to attending lectures or study sessions. Consider using a digital planner or apps to set reminders and avoid overcommitting to multiple courses at once.

Example: If you have a two-hour window every Saturday afternoon, dedicate that time exclusively to your online course. Consistency will help you retain information better than sporadic, intensive study sessions.

Align courses with your academic goals

Choose online courses that complement your university syllabus or address specific areas where you need support. This alignment ensures that the time you invest directly benefits your academic performance.

Example: If you’re struggling with a particular concept in a university course, look for an online module that covers that topic in depth. This focused approach saves time and reinforces your understanding.

Engage actively, not passively

Online courses offer flexibility, but active participation is key. Take notes, complete practice exercises, and engage in discussion forums if available. Apply what you’re learning to real-world scenarios or university assignments to reinforce new concepts.

Example: After completing a section on statistical analysis, try applying those techniques to a project or problem set from your university course. This practice bridges the gap between theory and application.

Use courses strategically

Not every course needs to be completed from start to finish, especially if you're juggling university assignments or exams. Instead, focus on the parts of the course that are most relevant to your goals.

Example: if a course has video lectures that align with a challenging topic in one of your classes, prioritize those over less-critical sections like quizzes or final exams.

Many online courses issue certificates. While these can be valuable, they aren’t always necessary. Your main goal should be learning what you need to succeed in your coursework. By being selective, you’ll maximize your time and get the most benefit from the course without feeling overwhelmed.

It’s okay to set a course aside

Not every online course needs to be treated as a long-term commitment. If you only need a course for a specific topic or concept, don’t feel obligated to stick with it once you’ve learned what you need. Use courses as flexible tools that fit your academic needs, not as rigid obligations.

Example: if a statistics course helps you grasp regression analysis, but the remaining sections delve into topics you won’t need for your current studies, it’s perfectly fine to stop there. This approach allows you to focus on what’s relevant while freeing up time for other priorities. Remember, online courses are there to serve your learning journey—not the other way around.

Conclusion

Online courses are valuable tools that can significantly enhance your academic performance when used strategically. By supplementing your university coursework with targeted online learning, you gain access to flexible, high-quality resources tailored to your needs. Whether you’re filling knowledge gaps, reinforcing concepts, or exploring additional topics, online courses offer a personalized approach to learning that traditional classrooms often can’t match.

However, success requires more than just enrollment. Thoughtful planning, consistent effort, and active engagement are essential. By using platforms like OpenCourser to find the right courses and integrating best practices into your study routine, you can turn online learning into a powerful ally in your educational journey.

Remember, progress takes time and effort. Set realistic goals, stay organized, and use the resources available to you. With dedication, online courses can be the key to unlocking your full academic potential.