Earning a degree online can save students time by allowing them a chance to study and learn at their own pace, the unfortunate fact is that many well-intentioned students fall behind because of poor time management and productivity skills. The frustration that ensues is well known and universally understood.
Below are six tips on how students can optimize their online learning productivity:
1. Become a time management sleuth. Start by taking an inventory of where your time goes in a given week. How much time is devoted to work, family, and other activities? This will help clarify where energy is focused and what adjustments can be made in order to fit in study time.
2. Plan and prioritize. Some tasks can seem overwhelming when you consider them in their entirety. By creating a plan for breaking down assignments into smaller, more manageable chunks, you can enjoy a greater sense of accomplishment. Set mini-deadlines and review the plan regularly to remain on track. Prioritize what is most important and identify potential conflicts that may be future roadblocks for long-term success.
3. Every minute counts. Even those few minutes in the waiting room at the dentist’s office are worth something. Do you commute by bus or train? Bring your notes and have a quick review. Even if you feel that those few minutes are not enough to make studying productive, use those minutes to get other things on your schedule out of the way. Eliminating the small things that may get in your way later when you should be studying.
4. Is that on The Schedule? Make a study schedule and stick to it! Routine is key. Study for briefer periods–with faithful regularity–and repeat day-in, day-out. If you can accept the comfortable rhythm of shorter but regularly scheduled time frames in which to tackle the work, course work seems less daunting.
5. Create an environment. A quiet, distraction-free environment is crucial to succeeding at online studying. Communicate with friends and family that studying will take place at a certain place at a certain time, keeping interruption at a minimum. Keep study areas well organized and stocked with things you will need for studying.
6. Don’t forget to ask, ask, ask. Mentors and online student communities are there to help. Students should never be afraid of asking too many questions, or the wrong questions. Students who regularly check in with their mentors and who are specific about the kind of help they need, find there is little or no disruption to their studying routine.
Feel like you can do this? Certainly you can. Now go check your schedule and get to work!
