So, you’ve signed up to study online with UNITAR. Congrats! You’re officially part of the “Online Distance Learning” generation—where pyjamas are acceptable classroom attire and your kitchen doubles as a lecture hall. Studying online comes with its own set of challenges, but with the right strategies, you’ll survive (and maybe even thrive). Here are five tips to make your online study journey smoother than a cup of teh tarik.
1. Don’t Miss Your Orientation
If you think orientation is just about boring speeches and awkward ice-breaking, think again. At UNITAR, orientation is where you meet the people who’ll make your life easier—your lecturers, classmates, and those helpful student helpers (you know, the ones who always seem to have answers to everything).
Pay close attention: This is where you’ll find out how your classes work, when and where to submit assignments, and the details on exams. If you miss this, you might end up like that one guy who turned in his assignment to the wrong portal. Don’t be that guy.
2. Make Friends—Seriously
You might think online study means being a lone wolf, but don’t fall for that trap. Making friends is still a must. For starters, group assignments are a thing. And trust us, you’d rather team up with someone who replies to WhatsApp, not someone who vanishes till Week 13.
Friends are also your lifeline for updates—when schedules change, or deadlines move (which always happens), you’ll want someone to give you a heads-up. Plus, study groups during exam season? Lifesavers. You help each other out, share notes, and occasionally, share memes about exam stress.
3. Set Up Your Accounts Early—Don’t Wait Until Last Minute
Imagine: It’s the night before your first online class, and you realise you can’t log in. Drama! Save yourself the stress. Take 20 minutes to set up your accounts early at firststeps.unitar.my. If anything isn’t working, raise a ticket at One-Stop-Center.
Better to deal with tech issues early, not five minutes before your quiz. As we say, “Don’t wait till the nasi lemak is cold.”
4. Settle Your Payment Before Semester Starts
This one’s non-negotiable. If you don’t settle your fees before the semester starts, you might get barred from the student portal. And if you can’t access the portal, say goodbye to submitting assignments or sitting for exams.
Don’t risk it. Pay up on time—save yourself from extra drama and your parents from extra phone calls from the finance office.
5. If You’re Struggling, Ask for Help
We get it—sometimes the stress hits hard, assignments pile up, or you just can’t figure out that one subject. Don’t keep it to yourself. UNITAR has support for you, whether you need academic counselling, career advice, or even financial assistance. All you need to do is reach out.
Malaysians are known for our “malu-malu” attitude, but when it comes to your future, no need to be shy!
Good Luck—You Got This!
Online study isn’t always easy, but it’s 100% doable. Stay organised, keep your connections strong, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to graduation—with your sanity (mostly) intact. Good luck and keep at it!
And remember: if all else fails, there’s always Milo and Maggi.
