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Top Time Management Strategies For Online Learning

If you are enrolled in online classes and conduct your studies from home, there are a few savvy approaches you can use to get the most out of your day - rather than allowing yourself to go down one too many proverbial rabbit holes. Here are 5 time management strategies for online learning that will help you boost your productivity.

1. Make A Plan

Benjamin Franklin said " By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail ". Even though that was a bit of an English teacher-like quote-of-the-day move, college and graduate level work is especially deserving of adequate time and attention. Though you might believe that you can fool your instructor or professor into believing that you spent four weeks on that final research paper, if the work is rushed, they'll be able to tell. Trust me: I know from experience.

So how exactly do you stay on top of your deadlines? Begin with a good planner or study calendar and add all due dates for each class to your schedule. Rather than solely adding the due dates, however, you should also add notes in your planner to begin work on major projects four weeks before the due date; moreover, scheduling blocks of study time into your calendar each week will help to ensure that the work gets done on a regular basis. You want to be in a place where you are on time or ahead of schedule, rather than hanging on by a proverbial thread due to procrastination.

2. Track And Prioritize

Have you ever noticed how you spent your time, on a given day? Taking note-that is, literally tracking your activities by the hour-can do wonders for helping you understand and prioritize your schedule, each day. Though it may sound like a lot of work, it's surprisingly simple with the help of mobile apps like Google Calendar. After assessing your schedule over the course of the last week, it may reveal that you have more time for schoolwork than you used to think. Or you may find that you have to re-prioritize and give up certain social functions in order to allow for adequate study time.

3. Designate A Home-Study Space

Once you've organized your schedule and taken control of how you use your time each day, be sure to organize your workspace as well, in order to help you establish a routine to follow each day, when 'logging in' to your virtual classroom, from home. One thing that can help is setting aside a particular space at home that serves as your office. This physical delegation will help you mentally check into your virtual classroom more fully than simply logging in from anywhere in the house. You want to avoid checking in from the couch, for example, lest you fall prey to a Netflix-watching binge!

4. Establish A Routine

Establishing a specific routine -such as turning on a specific album of ambient music or making coffee or tea- will also help you get into the study mode. The goal is to train your mind into associating a certain location and routine with study time. These associations will, in turn, help to maximize the amount you are able to learn and accomplish during your study time. If you treat your online class time as you would a second job, with a designated virtual 'commute' time, office area, and routine, you will be more psychologically prepared to learn.

5. Check In Daily

Lest it go unsaid, here's a reminder that learning -especially online learning with its virtual nature and absence of face-to-face classroom time- is hard work! To make your work a little easier, it definitely helps to spend time with your studies daily. Check in with your classmates and instructor as often as possible, via email and virtual chatrooms, in order to stay connected, ask questions, and share your thoughts. One great aspect of online learning is the relative invisibility of the classroom time; that is, when you virtually 'speak up,' all eyes aren't literally on you, as they would be in real life.

If you show up regularly to participate in class discussions, you demonstrate your dedication to the subject matter and the class. You're therefore more likely to make a good impression on your instructor, as well as maximize your learning. The more discussion you engage in, the better you will come to understand the subject matter at hand. So don't be afraid to ask questions and share your thoughts. The more you participate, the more you'll get out of each class.

Final Word

I hope you've found these time management strategies for online learning useful as you navigate your virtual classes and study schedule. Share the tips that have worked best for you in the comments below!

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5 Time Management Strategies For Online Learning - eLearning Industry

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If you are enrolled in online classes and conduct your studies from home, there are a few savvy approaches you can use to get the most out of your day - rather than allowing yourself to go down one too many proverbial rabbit holes.

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Create Your Own Study Space

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As fall approaches, Ontario students and their parents must navigate through the uncertain waters of what this school year will bring.

More and more students will be doing home schooling and e-learning and they can benefit from having a proper home study space.

Even in "normal times", it's smart to have a dedicated study area in the home that allows kids to be more productive and makes them feel comfortable, which helps keep them focussed on their studies.

Whether your kids are in elementary school, secondary school, or are enrolled in college or university, here's how to create the perfect study space at home for them.

A home study space can help maximize learning efficiency

A learning environment that's aesthetically dull, clutter-filled, uncomfortable, and too noisy won't allow kids to get the most out of their study time.

Psychologists have found that one's environment can have a significant effect on the quality of their study time. Specifically, information retention and work productivity increases when kids study in a space that's comfortable, familiar, and has as few distractions as possible.

A dedicated home study space can be customized to create just such an area for your kids. Organized Interiors specializes in creating beautiful home office spaces. The same elements we implement in the design of an adult home office space can also be applied to the design of a study space for kids.

When planning the design of your work area, here are sevenessential features and ideas to consider.

1. Location, location, location

The location of your study space is extremely important. Even the most well-designed and highly functional study area will have many of its benefits diminished if the location isn't right.

Like a home office, an area devoted to studying is a perfect fit for a spare room. You'll have more room to add all the design features you want and also create more privacy.

Converting a spare room into a home study space also affords you the opportunity to create a separate, dedicated space purely devoted to learning.

Naturally, not everybody has the luxury of having a spare room at their disposal to set up a work space for their kids. We can work within the dimensions of your home to create a study area within a bedroom, in a basement, or just about anywhere you have a reasonable amount of space to spare.

Wherever you decide to set up a home study space, give a lot of consideration to potential distractions like foot traffic and noise levels. A study area set up beside a noisy laundry room, for example, doesn't make for the most learning-friendly environment. Remember, a quiet study space will be a more productive study space.

2. Consider who will be using your home study space

How many kids will be using your study space? Obviously, the more kids you have that will be using the study space the more room you'll need to have it designed properly.

Perhaps you'll need a shared study space for your home if you have two or more kids. That's not a problem. Multiple desks and workstations can be set up to fulfill your home study space design requirements.

Each of your kids can have their own designated area in the study space, to create as comfortable a learning environment for them as possible.

You may also wish to create a multi-purpose home office/study space within a room, which we can accommodate. This can be a smart choice if space is an issue in your home. A shared work-oriented space between parents and the kids can satisfy everybody's needs.

3. Have your desk custom-designed to fit your kids' specific needs

The foundation of any work space is the desk. You'll want your desk surface to be big enough that it can accommodate all of your kids' textbooks, notebooks, school supplies, and a laptop if necessary.

You also need to be careful that your desk isn't too big. If you have a bigger desk surface than you really need, there's more of a chance it'll start accumulating clutter. We can guide you on the ideal desk size that will work best within your home study space.

Organized Interiors designs, manufactures, and installs all of our furniture, so we have a lot of flexibility when it comes to customization.

Add as many desk drawers as you desire (and to the width and depth you need) to hold your kids' school supplies, stationery, and printer paper. Does your child use a desktop computer as opposed to a laptop? Add an under-desk keyboard drawer to save space!

A well-designed desk will require less effort for you to keep your study area organized and clutter-free. You'll be able to keep more frequently used supplies close at hand while storing less frequently used supplies out of sight, but easily accessible.

An absence of clutter in any work space will facilitate a more productive workflow by allowing you to concentrate much easier.

4. Maximize storage space with smart custom storage solutions

You can increase the functionality of a home study space or office by adding extra storage systems. A custom bookcase provides plenty of room for storing your kids' books.

Upper storage cabinetry can also be added to provide extra storage room in your study space. Using your room's vertical storage space (which can also include adding library shelves) will enable you to stay organized more easily. Vertical storage is also smart to use when your study space is set up in a smaller room.

Your home study space's custom cabinetry can also include lower drawers, cupboard doors, file cubbies, and file drawers. Add extra touches like a tack board for posting reminders, calendars, and course schedules.

A study space doesn't have to be dull, style-free environment. You can choose from a wide variety of finishes and features to add some character to the room.

Upper storage cabinetry can include frosted glass or mesh doors. LED lighting with convenient touch switches and puck lighting can also be incorporated into your home study space design.

5. Don't forget the importance of a good desk chair

As mentioned, a learning environment that's comfortable is important and comfort in a home study space starts with a good desk chair.

You'll want to invest in an ergonomic chair that makes it easy to maintain a healthy posture. Your kids will appreciate having a chair that provides excellent lower back support, especially for those longer studying sessions.

Having a proper desk chair set up at the proper height can also alleviate problems that can affect other parts of the body, like the neck, wrists, and hands.

6. Make sure the lighting and room colours are right

Just as a good chair can minimize back discomfort, so too can good lighting minimize the problem of eye strain in a study space.

You don't want to keep your home study space too dark, otherwise it might make the occupants more prone to nodding off. If possible, make use of as much natural light as you can. Choose ambient lighting that's complemented with smartly located task lighting and a small desk lamp.

Wall and ceiling colours in the room can also affect the moods and concentration levels of kids. Lighter greens, yellows, and blues are considered good colour choices to stimulate productivity.

The wall and ceiling colours you choose for your home study space can complement the chosen finishes for your custom cabinetry, thereby enhancing the room's look.

7. Personalize your home study space

While your home study area is meant to be a dedicated learning space, it can't hurt to inject a few personal touches to it.

Add plants, hang some inspirational quotes, or add photos of family and friends to create a warmer, more inviting space. Just be sure to keep the personal touches to a modest amount so your kids aren't overly distracted.

A home study space can be a great asset that enables your kids to flourish with their studies. Schedule a free design consultation with us to get your study space project in motion.

See also:

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7 Essentials for Creating a More Learning-Friendly Home Study Space

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As fall approaches, Ontario students and their parents must navigate through the uncertain waters of what this school year will bring. More and more students will be doing home schooling and e-learning and they can benefit from having a proper home study space.

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The 6 Habits of Highly Successful Students

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How to Study Effectively for School or College [Top 6 Science-Based Study Skills]

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Centre for Innovation - Leiden University

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Study Tips to Succeed as an Online Student

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Tulane School of Professional Advancement

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Create a Study Space

Another challenge that online learning students face is not having a designated classroom or library space in which to study. To fix this, create a designated home study space that is only used for school-related work. This way, it will be easy to get into a school-oriented mindset any time the space is in use. Try to keep smartphones and televisions out of the room to avoid distractions!

Resist the Temptation to Multitask

At first, it may seem that multitasking accomplishes twice as much as taking one task at a time. However, multiple studies from the American Psychological Association have found that multitasking can actually decrease productivity, especially for complex tasks like studying. On top of that, a study from the University of London even found that multitasking could lower IQ. To maximize productivity, create to-do lists and take each task one by one.

Stay Well Rested

Many online courses allow for a very flexible schedule and due to this, it can be tempting to work well into the night to get everything done. Although this may work at first, it can quickly come back to bite enterprising students. A study from Harvard University found that sleep plays an important role in memory formation during the learning process. That means it is important to get a full night's sleep to be completely productive, and it's ideal to go to sleep and wake up around the same time each day.

Taking online courses offers a wide host of advantages, but it also requires planning and great time management skills. At the Tulane School of Professional Advancement, students may choose to combine both online and on-campus learning, or complete one of our master's degree programs available entirely online. Learn more about the admissions process today.

Request more information about Tulane SoPA's programs and admissions process

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Guide to Mastering Time Management for Online Learners

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Balancing life with studies can make or break students in online programs. Here are some crucial time management tips for online students to consider.

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In the past, earning a college degree meant physically attending in-person classes, which often posed challenges for working professionals or those with complicated schedules. Now, thanks to advances in technology, it's easier than ever to find a degree program that offers the flexibility you need, whether through traditional in-person classes, online learning, or a blend of the two.

There are many advantages to online courses ; they allow you to learn whenever, wherever, and however works best for you, making it easier to earn a degree while balancing work and family commitments . And without having to attend classes in person, online learning affords you access to top degree programs across the country that might have otherwise been inaccessible or highly inconvenient.

Online classes can present unique challenges, however, if you're not prepared. But if you develop skills for effective online learning, you'll find the courses can be an excellent alternative to a traditional classroom setting. Here are some tips for online learning success to make sure you get the most value out of your next class.

Northeastern's Online Learning Experience

Learn what it's like to take a class online, tips for excelling in an online learning environment, and more.

Tips for Taking Online Classes

If you're considering taking online college courses (or you're already enrolled in a program) the tips and advice below can help you address their unique challenges to get the most value out of your online program.

1. Treat an online course like a "real" course.

When it comes to online classes, you need to have the discipline to sit down and say, "I am going to work on this," as well as the dedication to actually follow through. Though you can be flexible as to you choose to complete your work during the week, you can't put it off indefinitely.

One of the easiest ways to ensure follow through is to remember that you are paying to take this online course, just as you would for a traditional, in-person class. You must "show up" if you're going to get real value out of your class. Treat your online classes the same way you would a face-to-face class-or, better yet, a job-and you'll be off to the right start.

2. Hold yourself accountable

Set goals at the beginning of the semester, and check in with yourself weekly. In a traditional classroom setting, you'll often receive verbal or visual reminders of an assignment's upcoming due date. But without a professor actively reminding you, it's up to you to make sure you've allotted enough time to complete the work so you're not starting an assignment the day before it's due.

If you're having trouble holding yourself responsible, pair up with a fellow classmate, or enlist the help of a spouse or friend to check in as an accountability partner. By being organized, proactive, and self-aware, you can get the most from your online class even when life outside of school becomes chaotic.

3. Practice time management.

The flexibility to create your own schedule is often one of the biggest appeals of taking online classes. But that freedom can also be detrimental if you do not have solid time management skills. Without them, you might easily to find yourself cramming before classes or handing in subpar assignments.

Though how you manage your time will depend on your schedule, learning style, and personality, here are some universally valuable tips to help you practice and improve your time management skills :

Look at the syllabus at the start of the semester and make note of major assignments. Mark them on a calendar you check regularly so you know what workload is coming in the weeks ahead. Don't forget to factor in prior commitments that may interfere with your regular study schedule, such as weddings or vacations, so you can give yourself enough extra time to complete assignments.

Commit to making your online coursework part of your weekly routine, and Create a weekly schedule that you follow, designating certain hours each week to reading, watching lectures, completing assignments, studying, and participating in forums. set reminders for yourself to complete these tasks.

When working on your assignments, try time-blocking, allotting yourself a certain amount of time for each task before moving on to the next one and setting a timer to keep you accountable.

Check in periodically throughout the term, and look at how you're spending your time. Ask yourself: How much time am I dedicating to course reading and assignments? Am I regularly underestimating the time it's taking me to get things done, forcing me to cram the nights before the exams? A little self-reflection and adjustment can go a long way.

4. Create a regular study space and stay organized.

Set up a dedicated learning environment for studying. By completing your work there repeatedly, you'll begin to establish a routine. Whether your workspace is your kitchen table, a library, or the corner booth in a local coffee shop, it's important to determine what type of environment will work best for you. Experiment to discover which type of setting boosts your productivity. Wherever you choose, make sure there's high-speed internet access so you're not trying to take an online course over a lagging connection. Setting up a regular workspace or office will also help you to stay organized. Knowing exactly where important dates, files, forms, syllabi, books, and assignments live will help keep you on track towards hitting your goals. When setting up your study space, make sure you:

Have a high-speed internet connection

Have the required books, materials, and software for the course

Have headphones for listening to lectures or discussions (especially important in shared spaces)

5. Eliminate distractions.

From Netflix to social media to dishes piling up in the skink, you'll be faced with many distractions that can easily derail your studies. The best online students know how to lessen these distractions and set aside time to focus.

Exactly how much of a challenge these distractions will prove to be will depend on your own unique personality and situation. Some might find that they can tune out a noisy home by listening to music. Others might choose to work from a local coffee shop or library to eliminate their urge to multitask at home. Ultimately, you will need to find a strategy that works best for you.

Regardless of where you choose to work, consider turning your cell phone off to avoid losing focus every time a text message or notification pops up. And if you're still having trouble resisting the temptation to check your email or surf the web, try downloading a website blocker. Using applications like Cold Turkey and can help eliminate distractions by blocking the apps or websites that tend to compete for your attention, such as Facebook and Twitter.

6. Figure Out How You Learn Best

Once you've established where you'll learn, think about when and how you accomplish your best work. If you're a morning person, make time to study first thing. More of a night owl? Set aside an hour or two after dinner to cozy up to your computer. If the kids require your morning and evening attention, try to carve out a study session mid-day while they're at school. Brew your usual cup of coffee, put on your go-to playlist, and do whatever you need to get into the zone and down to business. Not everyone learns the same way, so think about what types of information help you best grasp new concepts and employ relevant study strategies. If you're a visual learner, for example, print out transcripts of the video lectures to review. Learn best by listening? Make sure to build time into your schedule to play and replay all audio- and video-based course content.

7. Actively participate.

Participate in the course's online forum to help you better understand course materials and engage with fellow classmates. This might involve commenting on a classmate's paper on a discussion board or posting a question about a project you're working on. Read what other students and your professor are saying, and if you have a question, ask for clarification. Make sure you are checking in as often as you can, too. The flexibility of online learning means that if you have 30 minutes before dinner plans, you could squeeze in a discussion response around your schedule. Set a goal to check in on the class discussion threads every day.

And if you do feel yourself falling behind, speak up. Don't wait until an assignment is almost due to ask questions or report issues. Email your professor and be proactive in asking for help.

8. Leverage your network.

Online classes may sometimes make you feel like you are learning on your own, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Most online courses are built around the concept of collaboration, with professors and instructors actively encouraging that students work together to complete assignments and discuss lessons.

Build relationships with other students by introducing yourself and engaging in online discussion boards. Your peers can be a valuable resource when preparing for exams or asking for feedback on assignments. Don't be afraid to turn to them to create a virtual study group. Chances are good that they will appreciate it just as much as you will.

Practice Makes Perfect

Online classes are an excellent option to help you earn that degree you need to fulfill your goals. Though they come with their own unique challenges, following the advice above can help you be successful even in the most chaotic of times.
For more on how to be a successful online learner, explore our related online learning tips and advice posts, or watch the recorded webinar below.

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8 Strategies for Getting the Most out of an Online Class

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Online learning provides unique benefits and challenges. Embrace these eight tips for taking online classes to get the most value out of your program.