Student Guide to Online Learning
Everything you need to know before, during, and after your CVA course. This guide will help you make a confident, informed decision and set you up for success from day one.
What Is Online Learning?
Online learning at CVA means taking rigorous, credit-bearing courses through a digital platform—from anywhere in Cobb County and beyond. It's the same rigor as a traditional class, just a different environment.
Full-Time Learners
Take all of your courses virtually through CVA. Your entire school experience happens online, but you're still a part of your school's community.
Part-Time Learners
Add one or more online courses to your regular in-person schedule to expand your options, while staying connected to your home school.
Summer Learners
Recover credits, get ahead, or prepare for the SAT during the summer without a physical campus.
Common Misconception: Many students assume online courses are easier than in-person classes. They're not. A well-designed CVA course covers the same content and expectations as any face-to-face class. The difference is where and how you learn—not how much is expected of you.
Why Students Choose CVA
Research shows students succeed most when their motivation is genuine and tied to a real goal. Here are the top reasons students choose virtual learning.
When you choose your own courses, you take greater ownership of your learning journey and outcomes.
Online learning can accommodate athletic schedules, health schedules, jobs, family responsibilities, and more.
Multimedia tools, discussion boards, and digital resources bring learning to life in new ways.
You'll gain experience with the technology tools used in college, careers, and everyday life.
Move faster or slower through material based on your mastery.
Your zip code shouldn't limit your learning options. CVA opens doors to courses not offered at every home school.
Are You Ready?
Work through each of the 8 readiness categories below. Choose the statement that best describes you right now. Your results will show where you're strong and where you might want to prepare a bit more before enrolling.
Your Score by Category
Success Strategies
Online learning puts you in the driver's seat — which means time management, organization, and focus are all on you. Open a topic below to explore proven strategies that will help you stay on track.
+Managing Your Time
Managing Your Time
One of the biggest differences between a traditional class and an online class is how time works. In a traditional school day, bells, teachers, and class periods help structure your learning. In an online class, you help create that structure yourself.
Successful online students do not just "find time" to do schoolwork. They make a plan, follow a routine, and stay aware of deadlines. Set aside at least 2 hours per day or 8–10 hours per week for your course, in blocks of at least 1 hour. Fifteen-minute bursts between other activities won't lead to success.
Three Simple Ways to Stay on Track
These habits can make a big difference in an online class.
Check In Daily
Log into your course every day or on a consistent schedule so you do not miss announcements, assignments, or feedback.
Start Early
Waiting until the last minute creates stress. Starting early gives you time to think, revise, and ask questions.
Use a Plan
A planner, calendar, checklist, or reminder app can help you keep track of deadlines and stay organized.
Click each item below to explore simple steps that can help you build a routine for online learning.
Check the Class Schedule
Choose your work times
Spread work across the week
Leave room for questions
Review your progress
+Prioritize
Online learning is flexible, but that doesn't mean you should only work on it when nothing else is going on. You have to make the time by making your course a true priority.
Before your course begins, ask yourself whether you'll need to give something up to make room for it. Know this upfront — it prevents nasty surprises mid-semester.
Rate every commitment as a 1 (must do), 2 (should do), or 3 (low priority). Your CVA course should always be a 1.
For a few days, write down how you spend each hour. Most students are surprised how much time disappears into low-priority activities.
A daily to-do list takes the guesswork out of your study sessions. Use your course's pacing guide as your starting point and build specific tasks from there.
+Managing Distractions
Time management's greatest enemy is distraction. Whether it's social media, messages, or friends — distractions will always compete for your attention. You have to actively manage them.
- Exit all social media apps on your computer and phone before studying.
- Turn your phone fully off — not just vibrate or silent. If it's visible, you'll check it.
- Those notifications will still be there when you're done. Every check-in interrupts your thought process and harms your ability to learn.
- Research shows we are most productive when our environment is silent — even if you think you focus better with music or TV in the background.
- Try working in complete silence for a few days. You may get significantly more done in less time.
- If silence is genuinely difficult, try ambient or instrumental music without lyrics.
- Before sitting down to study, let everyone around you know you're unavailable — physically tell family members, not just hoping they'll figure it out.
- Update your messaging apps to "away" or "do not disturb" so friends know not to expect a response.
- Being clear about your availability ahead of time prevents interruptions and builds respect for your study time.
+Procrastination
Implementing all of your time management strategies is your single best protection against procrastinating. Being prepared and committed from day one goes a long, long way.
Chunk Large Tasks
Break big assignments into several smaller, manageable steps. A large task feels impossible; a first step feels doable.
Do the Easy Tasks First
Tackle your easiest items first to build momentum and a sense of accomplishment that carries you forward.
Work with Others
Find a classmate or friend to study alongside — in person or virtually. Knowing someone else is working keeps you accountable.
+Getting Organized
Creating a Manageable Workspace
Your workspace does not have to be perfect. It just needs to help you focus, stay organized, and get your work done. In an online class, even a few small changes can make it easier to learn.
A good workspace is not about having a fancy setup. It is about creating a space that helps you concentrate, stay organized, and do your best work. Also, create a dedicated folder for your CVA course. Organize files by unit or week. Set up a stable internet connection and back up your work using cloud storage.
Three Simple Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success
These simple habits can make your workspace more manageable.
Choose a Place to Focus
Find a space where you can pay attention and work without constant interruptions. It does not need to be perfect. It just needs to work for you.
Reduce Distractions
Silence notifications, move your phone away, and turn off anything that makes it harder to stay focused.
Have Your Materials Ready
Before you begin, gather what you need such as your computer, charger, notebook, pencil, or headphones so you can stay on task.
Click each item below to explore features that can help make a workspace more manageable for learning.
A place where you can focus
Fewer distractions
Materials ready to go
Comfortable enough to work
Flexibility when home is busy
A space connected to learning
When trying to stay organized in an online course, always remember: Preview, View, and Review.
Survey the entire course first. Note all major tests, papers, and projects. Plan ahead so nothing catches you off guard.
Do the work. Keep up with assignments consistently. Catching up in an online class is much harder than staying current.
Keep good notes and have all course materials accessible. Regularly review what you've covered.
Use this three-step approach every time you sit down with a new assignment.
Before starting, skim the whole assignment to understand what it's asking and what you'll produce.
Read all instructions and notes carefully. List every task that needs to be completed before you start.
As you finish each component, check it off your list. Confirm all steps are done before submitting.
+Ask the Right Person
Ask the Right Person
When you have a question, the fastest way to get help is by contacting the right person. Most questions about your class should go to your teacher, while questions about scheduling or graduation progress should go to your school counselor.
Questions about your class?
Your teacher is the first person to contact for anything related to the class itself.
Contact your teacher for:
- Clarifying assignment directions
- Explaining feedback on a submitted assignment
- Helping you understand a skill or concept
- Answering questions about due dates or grading
- Time management and organization
- Getting caught up if you fall behind
- Check-ins when you are struggling
- Academic success strategies
Planning ahead?
Your school counselor helps with the bigger academic picture, including scheduling, credits, and graduation progress.
Contact your counselor for:
- Course scheduling
- Graduation requirements
- Credit checks and transcripts
- College and career planning
The most important thing is that you must be willing to reach out to your CVA instructor. Many students hesitate, but your success genuinely depends on it. Instructors want to hear from you.
