Jessica Jatau

Have you ever been caught in that moment when you just had a long day at work and got home or closed your laptop? You just want to rest or sleep. You are not alone. Now imagine you are taking a course or learning a new skill online. It can be frustrating, but it is doable.

As someone who also loves to learn online, I tell you for free, you can learn anything you want to learn conveniently online even if you have a demanding 9-5 job and other personal schedules.

All it takes is one secret ingredient; the right strategy. And that’s what I will be sharing with you in this tips-rich article. You will learn real-world strategies for learning a new skill online without sacrificing your job or personal life. Sounds cool, right?

Tips on How to Succeed Learning a Skill Online

1. Know Your Learning Style

This is key to your success in learning whether online or through the traditional method. Some of us are visual learners who understand best through videos and infographics, while others prefer reading or hands-on practice. It is necessary to know which suits you best. If you are a visual or hands-on practice learner ensure you do not miss your live classes so that you can get real-time feedback from your instructor.

If you're an auditory learner, aside from joining your live classes, you can listen to your lectures while in transit to work or anywhere. Knowing the learning style that fits you helps you pick courses whose content format won’t be a struggle to understand.

2. Set Goals for Yourself

Why are you taking the course or upskilling? If you don’t set goals, you can easily be unmotivated, and even abandon the course at some point. To abort this mission before it even starts, set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals.

Also read: How to Thrive in Financially in 2025

Let me show you how to set SMART goals. For instance, instead of saying, “I want to learn graphic design,” a SMART goal would be:

"I will complete an online Photoshop course within 8 weeks and design at least five projects by the end of the course."

This helps you stay motivated and gives you a sense of progress as you go.

3. Create a Schedule

Time is often the biggest challenge. To smartly get time to fit into your schedule, (pun intended) even with your full-time job start scheduling study sessions. Creating dedicated time for learning, reducing social media screen time, and using time management tools are all efforts to achieve success when learning online.

4. Manage Your Time Wisely

I cannot overemphasize the importance of being a good time manager. There is a need to balance your work, learning, and leisure time. Here’s how to make the most of your time:

• Ensure you focus during working hours to avoid backlog.
• Study in focused 15-25-minute intervals with short breaks in between.
• If your course requires practical exercises, dedicate a full session to practice instead of splitting it up.
• Have dedicated time for leisure.

5. Don’t Miss Live Classes

As stated earlier avoid missing live classes especially if you are a visual learner. But in cases where you were unavoidably absent, if your class is being hosted on Klas, the cloud recording feature allows you to revisit/replay the live class held in your absence. This is one of the advantages of online learning that you can barely experience in a traditional learning environment.

Also read: Popular Myths About Learning Online.

But you should also understand that missing live classes means missing the opportunity to ask questions in real-time and get feedback immediately.

6. Get an Accountability Partner

I am tempted to write that this is the top secret ingredient in succeeding in an online learning environment but Let me just let it slide. This is because it is easy to slack off when learning alone. Having an accountability partner whether it is a friend, a mentor, or a fellow student, can help keep you on track.

The best practice here is to create or join an online learning community where students support each other, share progress, and motivate themselves even if they are not learning the same skill.

7. Ask Questions

Are you confused about anything being taught? Like the way you answered this, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Many online learning platforms like Klas, have discussion forums, Q&A sessions, and direct access to instructor features so optimize those features so that you are not left out.

Also read: Benefits of Highlighting the Efforts of Your Online Learners

Do you know why this is important? The more you participate, the better you’ll grasp concepts.

8. Set Up Your Study/Practical Space

Your environment plays a big role in your ability to focus is is why the bed is not a suitable reading or studying spot. Set up a dedicated study space where you can concentrate with little or no distractions. If the skill you are learning requires hands-on practicals, set up a space for that as well.

If you’re learning coding or graphic design, ensure you have the necessary software and a good setup. When studying, turn off notifications and let those around you know your study time is non-negotiable. This in a way influences your mind and habits.

9. Reward Yourself for Meeting Targets

Now this is my favourite part. This is just liking softly patting yourself on the back and saying well done. This is because learning a new skill takes effort, so it is important to celebrate your progress. This can be a treat, a fun activity, just name it. Rewards generally reinforce good habits and keep you excited about your learning journey.