Time management is an essential skill for online students. With a hectic schedule, combined with daily distractions, it can be difficult to stay on track and complete tasks. Asking for help is a great way to manage your time more effectively. Talk to your instructor, peers, or someone from student services (Writing Center, Counseling, etc.) for advice on how to stay on track.
If you are a “dawn” person by nature, taking advantage of the first few hours is a good time management technique. Waking up early to start your day, even if you start with exercise or other productive tasks unrelated to your online degree program, can help you more effectively manage your time throughout the day. If you're more productive later in the day, use the evening hours in a similar way. Creating a to-do list for each day is another great way to manage your time.
Include your domestic, professional and personal needs, as well as those related to your online education. Prioritize your tasks so you know what you need to start right away and what to expect. One advantage of online learning is that most of your homework, exams, and other responsibilities are clearly planned for you. Take some time to review what you need to do, how long it will take, and when it needs to be completed. Technology can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to online learning.
It's easy to get distracted by social media sites or watching videos online. To combat these distractions and manage your time more effectively, book breaks between periods of work. This will allow you to focus on school assignments knowing that you can check social media sites when you finish your work. It's also important to learn how to say “no” when it comes to social invitations or favors from friends and family who may not understand what it takes to earn your degree online. Setting achievable goals will help you throughout your online education.
In some cases, you may be able to complete a supervised exam online through a service such as Proctor U.Finally, remember that quality is more important than quantity when it comes to online discussion forums. Your online degree will be challenging and you'll have other priorities outside of your academic life, so set aside enough time to complete your assignments.
