Online Student Readiness Assessment

This assessment is not a quiz, but rather a chance for you to see your readiness level to start an online degree or program. For questions at any time, email online@kent.edu.

Let's Begin!

Readiness Questions

Do you keep a calendar and can you consistently follow a schedule that you create for yourself?

That’s wonderful! Being able to keep a calendar and stick to a schedule you create is a major strength, especially in online learning. Strong time-management habits will help you stay organized, meet deadlines, and reduce stress throughout the semester.

Kent State offers several resources that can support and enhance the system you already have in place:

Kent State Mobile App & FlashLine – Great for keeping track of your class schedule, assignments, and important university dates.
Academic Success Center (ASC) – Provides time-management tips, study strategies, and academic coaching if you ever want help refining your routines.
Student Success Programs – Offers workshops and tools focused on planning, prioritizing, and staying on track.
University Libraries – Their website includes planners, study-space reservations (if you are near to campus), and productivity resources that align well with your scheduling habits.

Since you already have a strong foundation, these tools can help you stay consistent and make your schedule even more effective throughout your time at Kent State. Keep up the great work!

Thanks for your honesty! Many students find it challenging to keep a calendar or consistently follow a schedule at first. The good news is that these are skills you can build, and Kent State offers several resources to help you get there.

Hear from Kent State students on how they plan and stay organized:

We also offer several resources that can support and enhance the system you already have in place:

Kent State Mobile App & FlashLine – Great for keeping track of your class schedule, assignments, and important university dates.
Academic Success Center (ASC) – Provides time-management tips, study strategies, and academic coaching if you ever want help refining your routines.
Student Success Programs – Offers workshops and tools focused on planning, prioritizing, and staying on track.
University Libraries – Their website includes planners, study-space reservations (if you are near to campus), and productivity resources that align well with your scheduling habits.

You don’t have to master everything at once. With practice and support, you can develop a scheduling approach that helps you thrive academically.

Do you look forward to connecting with new people with similar interests?

Great! Looking forward to connecting with others will really support your online learning experience. Building relationships with classmates and professors helps you stay engaged and reach your academic and career goals.

Even though online classes feel different from being in a physical room, instructors work hard to create a strong sense of presence—and you’ll develop that skill too. Be active in discussions, respond to others, and take advantage of tools like breakout rooms, study sessions, and platforms such as Collaborate Ultra or Microsoft Teams.

Your enthusiasm for connecting will make your online experience even more rewarding!

Thanks for sharing your perspective. Even if connecting with others isn’t something you naturally look forward to, building some level of interaction in your online classes can still be really helpful. Engaging with professors and classmates supports your learning, provides clarity when you need it, and can make the overall experience smoother.

Online courses are designed to help create a sense of presence, and you can ease into participation at your own pace. Simple steps—like contributing to discussions or attending an occasional study session—can make a big difference. Tools like breakout rooms, Collaborate Ultra, and Microsoft Teams offer low-pressure ways to connect when you’re ready.

You don’t have to be highly social to benefit; even small interactions can support your success.

Help establish internet etiquette with the following videos:

Is there a quiet workspace available to you?

Great! Creating a comfortable, quiet workspace will really help you stay focused on your learning. Turning off your phone and computer notifications can reduce distractions, allowing you to complete readings and assignments more quickly and with better understanding.

Keeping your space organized—both physically and digitally—also supports your success. Make sure you have the necessary software, take advantage of Kent State’s free Microsoft Office tools, and set up class folders so everything is easy to find. You’re off to a strong start with a dedicated, distraction-free workspace!

Thanks for sharing that. Even if you don’t currently have a quiet workspace, creating a comfortable, low-distraction area—no matter how small—can make a big difference in your ability to focus. Simple steps like turning off your phone and computer notifications can help you complete readings and assignments more quickly and with better understanding.

If a quiet area isn’t available where you live, consider finding a space elsewhere—such as a library, a campus study area, or another calm location that allows you to concentrate. Even setting up a small, consistent corner for your materials can make a difference. Making sure your digital space is organized—using class folders and Kent State’s free Microsoft Office tools—can also help you stay on track. With a few adjustments, you can create a study environment that supports your success.

Do you have basic technology skills with access to a computer, reliable internet, and word processing software?

Good! Success in an online course requires that you have the tools available to interact online. Many courses do not require any more than basic skills and software. However, some courses may require more sophisticated software and training. You should determine a course or program's requirements before beginning.

Check out the Technology Guidebook for Kent State tech requirements.

Basic skills will be necessary. Success in an online course requires that you have the tools available to interact online. Many courses do not require more than basic skills and software. However, some courses may require more sophisticated software and training. You should determine a course or program's requirements before beginning.

Check out the Technology Guidebook for Kent State tech requirements.

Can you state your motivation for starting and completing an online program?

Good! Understanding your own goals and honestly assessing if you have the motivation to do the work to reach those goals is an important step in beginning your online learning program. Motivating goals might include getting a promotion, changing careers to better/more satisfying work, or becoming more knowledgeable about an area of interest to you.

Give your motivation some thought. Understanding your own goals and honestly assessing if you have the motivation to do the work to reach those goals is an important step in beginning your online learning program. Motivating goals might include getting a promotion, changing careers to better/more satisfying work, or becoming more knowledgeable about an area of interest to you.

Here are some tips on how to motivate yourself:

Are you excited to get started?

Learning is fun! And we're excited to help you along the way!

It is exciting to have the opportunity to learn from experts and to apply your new knowledge to your life. Kent State is excited to be a part of your learning journey.

Learning is fun! It is exciting to have the opportunity to learn from experts and to apply your new knowledge to your life. Kent State is excited to be a part of your learning journey.

We're excited to start learning with you!

Results

Whether you got more Yes's, No's or a mix of both the Kent State Online team is here to help you get started in an online degree or program. Please fill out your contact information and any additional comments or questions below and so one of our team members can get in touch with you.

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