5 Essential Time Management Tips For Online Learners | Online Learning Tips
Posted on 26 May 2015
By Shere Brown
Advising Training & Development Specialist at American Public University
Online learners have the flexibility to take classes anytime, anywhere. However, without the structure of attending an actual classroom or the direct physical contact and interaction with the professor and other students, it’s easy to procrastinate and put assignments on the backburner.
Between balancing work, school, and family obligations, creating an effective time management system is imperative to academic success. Here are some time management tips to help you to create a better, balanced life with the aim to decrease stress and increase your productivity as you work towards degree completion.
Set Goals
Have you ever heard the quote, “It’s a dream until you write it down and then it’s a goal’? If obtaining a degree or a certificate is one of your personal goals, it’s important to keep in mind what you want to accomplish. Goal setting also helps you to decide what’s worth spending your time on, and what is just a distraction.
Here’s how to do it:
- Whether it’s completing a project before the due-date or finishing your degree with a 4.0, set both short and long term goals to have something to work towards and write them down.
- Make sure your goals are SMART-Specific/Significant, Measurable/Meaningful, Attainable/Action Oriented, Relevant/Rewarding and Time-bound and Trackable.
- Evaluate goals and objectives regularly to make necessary changes to keep you motivated.
- Tweet or tell a friend about your educational goals to help hold you accountable.
- Designate a specific timeframe (when you are at your best) to dedicate to your studies throughout the week and stick to it. Try to study a little each day, rather than cramming at the end.
- Use a day-planner, the scheduling function in Microsoft Outlook, or even a scheduling app on your smartphone to set up study appointments and due dates that cannot e missed!
- Schedule time to log into your classes daily to be up to date on course changes and important announcements.
- Be sure to use your calendar with your to-do list to ensure that you are staying on top of your assignments.
- Don’t forget to include fun things on your to-do list as well. For example, taking your children to the playground or watching a movie.
- Using to-do lists on your tablet, laptop or even in your workspace in the online classroom will make it accessible throughout the day.
- Remember, it feels good to check off tasks that have been completed on your list. Reward yourself to stay motivated!
- If TV seems bothersome or distracting, turn it off and instead listen to your favorite playlist, to remain focused.
- Make sure your study space is comfortable, neat, and organized to eliminate distractions to get the most out of your study-time.
- Warn family and friends ahead of time, when you will be studying so they won’t bother you. If interrupted, pause briefly before continuing your work to refocus.
- If you don’t understand an assignment, ask the professor or a classmate.
- If you need help with scheduling and planning, contact your Academic Advisor at counseling@apus.edu
- To avoid burnout, it’s okay to say ‘NO’ and not over-commit yourself to various activities.
- Stay positive! Especially when things get tough. Positivity and motivation go hand-in-hand.
Remember your goals and keep working towards it!