Students who enroll in an online degree program typically utilize public Wi-Fi to complete assignments or to study. Even those who have Internet access at home may find it’s more peaceful to study at the library or a coffee shop. These tips help those students pursuing their online education keep their assignments and belongings safe while being considerate of a public access point.
- Use a Flash Drive or Online Cloud Storage
Students pursuing an online education should save their work to a USB flash drive or a cloud service such as Google Docs or Dropbox, instead of directly saving assignments to their hard drive. This benefits students as they can access their work from anywhere, but cloud services also save work on their own continuously which can help prevent the loss of an assignment due to power outages or other disruptions. - Never Leave Belongings Unattended
It can be tempting to leave a backpack, school supplies, or even a laptop unattended for a moment to grab papers from the printer or to run to the restroom. Students should try to have a study partner to help keep an eye on each other’s belongings, or they should always bring their items with them when going somewhere out of view. - Be Safe on Public Connections
Students should avoid banking, paying on their student account, or disclosing sensitive information over a public Internet connection as they tend to be less secure. Similarly, students should avoid having too much of their personal information displayed on a computer screen, such as a student ID number, as someone might be able to see it. - Be Considerate
Make sure to stay aware of everyone within a public space, and treat them with consideration. If an assignment requires watching a video or presentation, students should always use headphones. If a professor asks for a video chat, try to find an isolated Wi-Fi access point or set the appointment up for a time when there are fewer patrons.
For students who are looking to pursue an online education at a school where they aren’t just a number, choose Faulkner University. We are a non-profit university that provides caring faculty, a faith-based community, and superior education.