Make the Most of a CBC

Cohort-based courses and programs (CBCs) have been all the rage in the ed-tech space in the last few years. And for good reason -- while online courses have hilariously low engagement rates with just 3-6% completion rates, meaning a lot of people are paying for education but are not utilizing it, a cohort-based course or program combines elements of education, community, and accountability to create the perfect blend that improves learning and tangible outcomes.

I have been on both sides -- as a participant in the On Deck No-Code fellowship program and as the Program Director leading TPF's No-code cohort program. After running two successful cohorts, I distilled my insights on how to make the most of a CBC.

1. Be Intentional

Be intentional about what you want to take out of such a program. List down your goals before the program starts. What do you want to learn? Who do you want to meet? What do you want to build?

Without clear goals, you will end up drifting through the program and not extracting maximum value.

2. Plan Your Activities

You should plan out your activities and divide them into three buckets:

• Interacting with the community -- engaging in discussions, reaching out to fellow members, participating in social events.
• Attending sessions / watching recordings -- making sure you are absorbing the educational content being delivered.
• Building -- actually applying what you are learning to build something tangible.

Balance is key. If you only attend sessions but never interact with the community, you are missing out on half the value.

3. Build Early

It is very easy to overthink, over-research, and not build until too late. The benefit of no-code is that you can build something really quick and test it with users. Do not wait until you have the "perfect" idea or plan. Start building early and iterate based on feedback.

4. Be a Giver

The more you help, the more you receive. If you are known as a giver, when you ask for help, there will be a lot of people willing to help you. Answer questions, share resources, make introductions, and support others in the cohort.

This is not just a strategy -- it is the foundation of how great communities work.

5. Be Known for Something Specific

It helps to be known for something specific -- that way all requests and opportunities related to that thing come to you first. Whether it is a particular tool, industry, skill, or perspective, having a clear identity within the cohort makes you memorable and increases the chances of meaningful connections.

6. Be Active and Visible

The more active you are on Discord and Twitter, the more you will attract opportunities. Combine that with being known for something specific, and you have got a winning combination.

Share your progress, your learnings, and even your struggles publicly. Building in public is a powerful way to attract support and opportunities.

7. Think of the Full Value

You should think of the value of cohort programs as a combination of skill learning as well as being part of a community. The community does not end when the program ends -- the relationships you build will continue to provide value for years to come.

The bottom line is this: a CBC is what you make of it. The programs provide the structure, the content, and the community. But it is up to you to show up, engage, and extract the value. Be intentional, be active, and be a giver -- and you will get far more out of it than you put in.