More students are moving to online learning platforms to further their education. In fact, many studies show that approximately one-third of all students are taking at least one online course. The advantages of online education, like flexibility, improved collaboration, or broader perspectives, prove why many students are choosing online courses.
Transitioning to online learning can take time and effort for students who have just moved to online learning or are only aiming to make a difference. One major challenge faced during this transition is time management. So, effective time management tips for students become paramount if they are adjusting to a full-time online program or just want to balance school and work.
Time management tips for Students in online learning
Here are the most efficient time management tips for students to help them make the most out of their online education.
Plan in Advance
Hectic routines and daily distractions can get in the way of finishing educational tasks. However, the best online students know to manage their time to maximize their learning output. It includes having a consistent schedule and workspace, eliminating distractions, and avoiding unnecessary internet surfing. For better planning check successful online learning strategies now.
Although online learning offers flexibility, students need to engage with their studies throughout the week frequently. Therefore, provide yourself with ample time to space out your reading material, assignments, and online discussions.
A helpful technique to aid you in planning ahead is purchasing a calendar and using it to plan your daily and weekly educational activities. Highlight these critical components on the calendar:
- Due assignments, including drafts and final submissions.
- Education-related activities consist of online discussions with peers or study group meetups.
- Virtual meetings with educators.
Avoid Multitasking
Multitasking can actually decrease your productivity. Therefore, it is best for online learners to avoid multitasking and concentrate on one assignment at a time and narrow the focus on a specific task, be it reading a textbook, emailing your professor or participating in an online discussion forum. Set your priorities, and arrange lessons accordingly, paying attention to three or four critical tasks that require your effort.
If you find it hard to stay focused and organize tasks, try creating a to-do list using a project management tool, for example, Trello or Smartsheet. In case you prefer traditional to-do lists, you can use digital notebooks like Todoist, Evernote, or ClickUp.
Lastly, you need to concentrate on what is really important in the present and avoid anything that requires attention in the future. If it’s a small project that doesn’t need your effort for several weeks, put it on the calendar to center your attention when its deadline is closer.
Virtual Study Space
Whether you prefer to study at home or at your nearest cafe, it is necessary to have a comfortable enough space to complete your work. Ensure you’ve high-speed internet and are in an optimal setting with the right amount of lighting, sound, and background. Such as, some people like to work with headphones on, while others prefer an ambient backdrop with people chatting away in a low voice, or some require complete silence. Put your phones away to avoid distractions and close out your browser windows.
Also, ensure you have adequate materials, for example, textbooks and required software, to complete your work. Finally, you need to schedule your tasks as much as possible to stay on top of your coursework. All the online learning challenges along with their solutions are provided for your convenience.
Block Out All Distractions
While studying online, it is paramount to avoid surfing the internet excessively. It becomes easier to get distracted by any news or your favorite celebrity gossip website. Instead, stay on task, and avoid using Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media accounts, when you need to focus on your studies. Also, a lot of online learning tools are there to help you out.
One of the most effective time management strategies and techniques that can help you stay focused on your online studies is the Pomodoro Method. It organizes your task to help you increase your efficiency and productivity. The tool optimizes your time to concentrate on your studies by allowing you to build 25-minute work sessions. An excellent way to use this technique is to;
- Set your timer for 25 minutes and work non-stop for the scheduled time.
- Take regular breaks (for five minutes) to grab a coffee or do something that helps you unwind.
- Once you complete four consecutive study sessions, treat yourself to longer breaks of 15 minutes.
If you still find yourself procrastinating, download a website blocker. Freedom, KeepMeOut, and Switcheroo are some of the website blockers to minimize online distractions and let you follow through with your assignments and lessons.
Give Yourself Rewards
To avoid burnout, reward yourself after every job well done. If you don’t treat yourself, it will get challenging to concentrate on even the simplest tasks at hand.
Acknowledge what you have achieved and celebrate your successes by treating yourself to something you genuinely enjoy, whether it’s going out for dinner with friends, a movie night, or watching your show on Netflix. If you’ve been working on a project for many months, take at least a week off when you get finished it.
Find A Healthy Balance
It becomes crucial to find a healthy balance between your coursework and other obligations besides rewarding yourself if you are juggling between school and work. Always be prepared for the latest trends in e-learning and adapt them to be successful.
Ensure to prioritize your time in a way that assists you in concentrating on work, school, and your personal life when you need to. Eventually, it will create an effective balance and prevent burnout. Moreover, creating a predictable schedule can assist you in getting into a routine that matches your lifestyle so that you can dedicate your full attention to each aspect of your life at any given moment.
Get A Good Night’s Sleep!
Getting adequate sleep is essential to recharge your batteries and keep your mind fresh for the next day. Try getting seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Studying consistently is much more productive than pulling all-nighters. To reap huge benefits, include rest in your schedule. Also, one of the important steps for productive learning is to utilize collaboration tools in your study.
Final Thoughts
Studying through online platforms is a great way to further your education and excel in your career. However, it’s totally up to you to take charge of your online education to get the most out of your studies. A key to doing it efficiently is using practical time management tips for students to stay focused and achieve set goals.
By choosing the right platform (like SimpliTaught) to fit your educational needs and taking responsibility for your learning, you can prepare yourself for tremendous success.
