Optional (non-assessed) learning activities are a learning tool that may help students achieve their desired grade, or help students with lower levels of previous experience in the topic. This study examines the implementation of, and outcomes from, two optional activities, one online and one paper-based. The activities complemented the lectures and practical (laboratory) classes and were designed to give students additional practice with the key concepts. It was predominantly the most ambitious students who engaged with the activities. Those students who engaged with the activities achieved a higher mark relative to their mark in a comparable prerequisite class. The students strongly preferred the paper activities, and although they would like both online and paper options to be available, they would not be willing to pay a small fee for the online activity.