Online learning has become a very popular way for students to further their education, but with so many resources available, it can be overwhelming to navigate the options. To make things easier, we’ve curated a list of resources from the websites of Ontario’s 24 colleges, 25 universities and 9 Indigenous Institutes, providing a comprehensive guide to help you study online successfully. The resources range from what to expect with online learning to study tips and tricks, time management advice, technology tools, mental health resources and more — all designed to ensure you have everything you need to succeed. Whether you’re just starting your online education journey or are a seasoned distance learner, this list of resources will give you the support you need to achieve your academic goals.
| Name of Institution | Type of Institution | Department | Resource Name | Type | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algoma | University | Student Success | Note Taking Online | Video | Note taking isn't about capturing the PowerPoint slide. It’s about capturing the extra information that’s not in the slide deck. This workshop covers the importance of note taking online and provides strategies for note-taking success. | Click here |
| Algonquin College | College | Content Hub | Essential Tips for Online Learners | Article | These tricks and tips will help online learners stay focused and on task to succeed. | Click here |
| Algonquin College | College | Student Success | Well-being and the Online Environment | Guide | Tips for supporting both student and faculty well-being virtually. | Click here |
| Brock University | University | Centre for Pedagogical Innovation | Strategies for Success in Online Learning | Website with PDFs | Documents available for download and sharing to help students prepare for learning online include best practices for remote online learning, tips for success in remote and online learning, and snapshot tips for online learning v7. | Click here |
| Canadore College | College | Academic Centre of Excellence | How to Survive College - Some tips to help you along | Guide | Tips include how to achieve success academically, socially and financially. | Click here |
| Carleton University | University | Carleton Online | Online Learning Resources | Website with text | Online courses offer flexibility and convenience, but they also present unique challenges that traditional face-to-face courses do not. This website shares resources to help students succeed, including navigating online courses, learning strategies and best practices, time management, the learning space, interaction and engagement, and more. | Click here |
| Centennial College | College | Student Success | Online Learning Toolkit | Website with text and videos | Online learning advice covers: optimize your brain for learning, sleeping tips for learning, time management tips, study space tips, tips to avoid distractions, tips to engage online content before class, tips to engage online content during class, tips to engage online content after class and tips for assignments. | Click here |
| Centennial College | College | Student Success | Online Learning Tips | Video | Centennial College Learning Strategist Joanne Dominico shares three strategies to become a better online learner. She outlines the key differences between online versus traditional in-person classes, how the flexibility of online can be both an opportunity and a challenge, and how to stay on top of studies. | Click here |
| College Libraries Ontario | College | Learning Online Hub | Website with text, videos and quizzes | This resource hub covers some strategies and tools that ca help students be successful learning online, including support with motivation, help using new technology, and techniques for effective studying. | Click here | |
| Conestoga College | College | Conestoga Online | Online Learning Tips | Website with text and videos | Study tips cover why you should take notes, how to organize and take notes, staying on pace, studying with spaced practice and more. | Click here |
| Fanshawe College | College | Student Success | Learning to Learn Online | Self-paced course (free) | This resource helps learners prepare for online learning success by introducing them to the online learning environment and their role as a learner within it. | Click here |
| First Nations Technical Institute | Indigenous Institute | Enrolment Management & Student Services | Guide to Virtual Learning Etiquette | PDF Handout | These recommendations cover student engagement during live classes online (via video conferencing tools). | Click here |
| Fleming College | College | Library | Learning Success Toolkit: Skills & Strategies | Modules: video and text | This module contains helpful tips and effective learning strategies geared to the online environment, including managing your time, reading, studying the material you need to know, and navigating your online assignments. It also contains some tools and tips to be aware of to stay well mentally and physically. | Click here |
| George Brown College | College | Student Success | Are you ready for Online Learning? | Microsite | Tools and resources to become a successful online learner are featured in this microsite. | Click here |
| Georgian College | College | Student Advising | How to prepare for an online test | Article | Taking a test can be stressful at the best of times, but there are some additional things to consider when taking a test online. This resource lists tips to help students do well on their next online test or exam. | Click here |
| Humber College | College | Career Centre | Online Learning Resources | Website with PDFs, videos and text | Resources include tips for online learning, an online learning readiness quiz, student learning kit and more. | Click here |
| Lakehead University | University | Student Success | Online Learning Webinar - How to be a Successful Learner | Webinar | Get useful tips and tricks to be a successful online learner. | Click here |
| Lambton College | College | Online Education | Guide to Online Learning for Students | Self-paced course (free) | In this eBit mini-course, students learn to employ learning strategies that successful online learners use, including how to create a positive and efficient workspace, tactics for staying motivated and meeting goals, and skills for managing time and creating structure. | Click here |
| Lambton College | College | Online Education | Tips for Success | Article | These tips help students plan and prepare for the start of their course to ensure success at the end of it. | Click here |
| Loyalist College | College | Student Success | Resources for Online Learning | Website with links to PDFs | This is a list of helpful resources to support students with their online learning. | Click here |
| McMaster University | University | University Technology Services | Online Learning Support | Website with PDFs, videos and text | This webpage is the place to find information, guidance, tips, tools and resources to support students’ academic performance online. | Click here |
| Michener Institute | College | Learning Resource Collaboratory | Remote Learning Tips | Article | Online learning tips include relying on routines, finding a quiet place to work and a knowledge of how you work best with less structure than usual. | Click here |
| Mohawk College | College | Student Success | Tips for learning in a virtual and remote environment | Text/YouTube Video | This toolkit helps prepare learners for the online learning environment, with tips on academic integrity, study habits, time management and motivation. | Click here |
| Niagara College | College | Centre for Academic Excellence | Netiquette Tips for Online Classrooms | Guide | This document outlines proper online etiquette (“netiquette”) for students to help encourage a respectful online learning environment. | Click here |
| Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre | Indigenous Institute | Kayanase (in partnership with OSTTC) | Tips for Online Learning | Article | Although learning remotely enables students to learn and work from home, it can be challenging to stay focused, keep organized and separate schoolwork from your home life. This article features helpful tips to help you adapt to online learning. | Click here |
| Ontario Tech University | University | Student Success | Study Skills for Online Learning | Website with text and video | Transitioning from the traditional classroom to online learning is no easy task, especially if students have never taken an online course. Many university students are accustomed to working independently, but online courses take self-directed learning to a whole new level. Although it may be a newer method of learning, taking courses online can benefit the average student in many ways. It can be less intensive because students have the choice to work at their own pace. It also helps improve self-discipline, which is sure to translate to other areas of life. | Click here |
| Queen's University | University | Student Academic Services | Tips for Success in Online Learning | Infographic | This guide is an introduction to the keys to success in online courses. | Click here |
| Seneca Polytechnic | College | Learning Centre | Tools for Online Learning | Website | This guide lists resources to help online learners succeed. It includes a self-assessment and links to the Learning Online Hub. | Click here |
| Sheridan College | College | Library | Student Online Learning Module | Self-Paced Course (free) | These modules help learners discover everything they need to know about managing their time effectively, taking notes, developing a resilient mindset and strategies for studying and test taking. | Click here |
| Toronto Metropolitan University | University | Student Success | Studying Online Learning Resources | Website with PDFs, videos and text | Online learning requires the same amount of time and effort as an in-class course. This guide features tip sheets and videos. | Click here |
| Trent University | University | Academic and Learning Support | How to Learn Online - Resources for Online Learning | Website with videos and text | This collection of how-to guides can help students be successful in their online courses. Students can find advice on getting started, staying organized, focused, and motivated, and engaging with course materials. | Click here |
| University of Guelph | University | Student Success | Motivation for Online Learning | Article | Finding and maintaining motivation to study when you are alone can be challenging at any time. Practical and proven strategies for helping to keep motivated when studying online are included in this resource. | Click here |
| University of Ottawa | University | Telfer Career Centre | Four Study Tips to Prepare for Online Exams | Article | When students are faced with the new challenge of writing online exams, the change may be unsettling. But with enough preparation, students can learn to make the most of their new reality. The four tips in this article will help prepare students for online exams. | Click here |
| University of Ottawa | University | Telfer Career Centre | 3 tips to help you master note taking for online classes | Article | Mastering the art of efficient note taking means finding a strategy that works and a system that prevents information loss. With classes being held online, this can become more challenging. Here are three tips to help students master note taking for online classes. | Click here |
| University of Ottawa | University | Telfer Career Centre | Best Practices for Virtual Learning | PDF Handout | If learning in a virtual environment is new to some learners, a new mindset could be in order. The tips in this guide are designed to set students up for success as they embark on online learning. | Click here |
| University of Toronto | University | Ontario Institute for Studies in Education | Online Learning Resources | Website with text, images & videos | This series of blog posts helps learners understand online formats, prepare for a unique online learning experience and explore student expectations. | Click here |
| University of Toronto | University | Digital Learning Innovation | Getting Ready for Online | Article | This resource has been developed to introduce students to tips and strategies for online learning success. It includes a digital skills and technical requirements check, and helps students who are asking: How can I prepare to be successful? What can I do to make a strong start? Over the semester how do I stay motivated and track my progress? | Click here |
| University of Toronto | University | International Foundation Program | 9 Tips to Level Up Your Online Learning | Article | This blog article outlines tips for staying productive during online classes. It covers setting up a workspace that is comfortable, quiet and free of distractions; engaging in class discussions; tracking what has been completed; setting up a routine that works; communicating with family and household members; connecting with instructors and staff; breaking down goals into mini-goals; scheduling self-care time; and balancing all of these tips. The article emphasizes the importance of finding what works best for an individual student, and not trying to do too much too soon. | Click here |
| University of Waterloo | University | Renison English Language Institute | Online Learning Strategies: Tips and tricks to help you learn well | Article | Tips from the Centre for Extended Learning's Getting Ready to Learn Online module has been adapted for English language learners. | Click here |
| University of Waterloo | University | The Centre for Extended Learning | Getting Ready to Learn Online | Self-Paced Course (free) | This course helps students learn how to make the most of their online course and how to succeed as an online learner. | Click here |
| Western University | University | Academic and Learning Support | Tips for Excelling Online | Article | Online learning tips to help students succeed in the virtual classroom include time management, staying organized, eliminating distractions, the importance of participation and more. | Click here |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | University | Student Success | The Balancing Act: 10 Strategies for Successful Online Learning | Article | Today’s technology has made online education highly effective and accessible, extending the reach of university programs to working professionals with career advancement aspirations. Since students can continue to work full-time and manage other obligations, flexibility is one of the key benefits of non-traditional higher education. This balancing act, however, requires extra attention to time management strategies for online students. Recognizing that there are still only 24 hours in a day, this blog article offers 10 practical strategies for successful online learning. | Click here |
| York University | University | Student Success & Program Advising | Student Guide to Remote and Online Learning | Guide | This guide has been created to help students find the resources and supports to successfully navigate online learning. | Click here |
