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Great tips for those who work full time and go to college! Or, if you have families or other priorities as well :)

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With a schedule of early-morning lectures, cramming in study time between classes, making it to work on time and still finding time for a social life, college students may be feeling the pressure to keep all their plates spinning at the same time.

Many students are working during college to support themselves financially, something experts say is like working two full-time jobs. A U.S. Census report determined that 71% of the nation's 19.7 million college undergraduates were working in 2011 and of that number, one in five undergrads were working at least 35 hours a week year-round.

Students attempting to balance school, work, and family/social obligations should evaluate the commitments in their life and discuss realistic goals with friends and family members to ensure that they will have the support and time needed to maximize their success, recommends Becky Takeda-Tinker, president of Colorado State University-Global Campus.

â€œBeing realistic and understanding what you as an individual need in order to be successful and fully engaged is crucial whether itâ€™s succeeding in school, personal, or professional arenas,â€ she says. â€œEffective time management is a transferable skill that is an important foundation for both academic and professional success.â€

To help students with time management and maintain their sanity, here are four expert tips for establishing a well-balanced system.
Step 1: Create a Calendar
Creating a calendar or schedule forces students to visualize their obligations, whether itâ€™s paper, a dry erase board, or on a smartphone app, says Nicolas Tynes, vice president of programs at Harlem Education Activities Fund (HEAF).

â€œSome people may need a physical calendar and the action of writing on a calendar will help them retain information better, a calendar thatâ€™s in their face that they can look at on a regular ongoing basis,â€ he says.

Being able to see a week or monthâ€™s worth of obligations can also help students manage their time better for larger tasks like big projects and final exams to avoid cramming the night before, adds Takeda-Tinker.

â€œPlacing specific dates and times on their calendar helps to emphasize that school is a priority and commitment and allows for planning ahead--it is also wise to work ahead whenever possible,â€ she says. â€œLife events and emergencies will arise, but staying on top of school work means there will be room to adjust when those things do happen."
Step 2: Know You Have to Prioritize
Students, just like everyone else only have 24 hours each day to fit everything in (no matter how many energy drinks they consume) so they have to create a list of priorities to decide what matters are urgent and which ones can wait, says Shawnice Meador, director of Career Management & Leadership Development for MBA@UNC.

â€œRemember that sometimes what is important to someone else is not necessarily as important to you at that moment; you may have to occasionally say â€˜noâ€™ in order to stay on track with your personal and professional goals and objectives,â€ she says.

Although students may need to work a certain amount of hours to support themselves, itâ€™s vital they donâ€™t spread themselves too thin. Working extra hours during time off from school can give students some flexibility if they have a semester with a larger academic load, says Linda Descano, president and CEO of Women & Co.

â€œIf youâ€™re going to have classes that are very intensive, [ask your supervisor to] lower your work hours during that semester or figure out how are you going to allocate some of the course work that youâ€™re doing so you can still have enough time for work, which may be critical to your financial health, but also that you have some time to take a deep breath,â€ she says.
Step 3: Learn How to Multi-Task
Finding ways to multi-task and combine commitments can help students best utilize their time, particularly if they are commuting to class or work, says Tynes.

â€œStudents can look at how theyâ€™re using all aspects of their dayâ€"during their commute are they using that time to also study? Are they using it to meditate, sleep, are they using it to do some pleasure reading or socialize with their friends?â€

Busy students should also seek out opportunities to merge their school, work and social lives by getting involved in professional organizations and attending networking events, school-sponsored lectures and professional development workshops, suggests Meador.

â€œ These events are often free or low cost, and can really be worth the time and investment,â€ she says.

â€œThe best part of these opportunities [is] spending time with old and new friends while expanding your network and learning more about your profession.â€
Step 4: Seek Out Support Resources
If students are feeling overwhelmed, talking to academic and/or student advisors, professors, a peer-based or professional resource on campus can shed some light on problems or issues.

â€œTalking to non-university people in their lives - like a well-organized co-worker - that seem to balance multiple commitments with ease can also be helpful,â€ says Takeda-Tinker. â€œCommunication is a key when questions, issues, obstacles or concerns arise so that students can access the necessary resources and partner with their school in strategies for success.â€

Seeking out assistance from upperclassmen in their specific major or field also gives students more tailored, relevant advice about their situation, suggests Descano.

â€œIt could be little: how people take notes, how they study, finding people who commute with you,â€ she says. â€œEven if youâ€™re feeling overwhelmed, just to talk to someone and not keep it all buried in, but leveraging your parents, your friends and your advisors and asking for help.â€

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Balancing Act: Tips for College Students to Best Manage their Time

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With a schedule of early-morning lectures, cramming in study time between classes, making it to work on time and still finding time for a social life, college students may be feeling the pressure to keep all their plates spinning at the same time.

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Great article. Provides links to help you de-stress yourself! Also includes pros and cons, and common indicators of stress.

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Many students find that they need to develop new skills in order to balance academic demands with a healthy lifestyle. Fortunately, the University of Michigan offers many resources to help students develop these skills. Many students find that they can reduce their level of academic stress by improving skills such as time management, stress management, and relaxation.

THE PROS AND CONS OF STRESS

Stress is anything that alters your natural balance. When stress is present, your body and your mind must attend to it in order to maintain balance. Your body reacts to stress by releasing hormones that help you cope with the situation. That in turn takes energy away from the other functions of your brain, like concentrating, or taking action. There are two different sources of stress: external triggers, like transitioning to college or your parents getting a divorce, and internal triggers, like placing high expectations on yourself.

Stress is a part of everyday life. There are many instances when stress can be helpful. A fire alarm is intended to cause the stress that alerts you to avoid danger. The stress created by a deadline to finish a paper can motivate you to finish the assignment on time. But when experienced in excess, stress has the opposite effect. It can harm our emotional and physical health, and limit our ability to function at home, in school, and within our relationships. The good news is that, since we are responsible for bringing about much of our own stress, we can also do much to manage stress by learning and practicing specific stress-reduction strategies.

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING TOO MUCH STRESS?

Here are a few common indicators:

Difficulty concentrating

Increased worrying

Trouble completing assignments on time

Not going to class

Short temper or increased agitation

Tension

Headaches

Tight muscles

Changes in eating habits (e.g., "stress eating")

Changes in sleeping habits

People with mental illness are more likely to notice that their specific symptoms re-emerge or grow worse during stressful times. In many cases, stress can act as the "spark" that ignites a mental health episode. But this does not mean that every time you are busy or face a difficult challenge you will have a mental health episode. Not everyone responds the same way to potentially stressful circumstances. For example, during final exams many students feel very overwhelmed and anxious, while others are able to keep their stress under control. If you, like many others, struggle with managing stress during difficult times, there are some helpful tips on this page that can help.

WAYS OF REDUCING AND MANAGING STRESS

Practice time management skills to manage your academic schedule, social activities, and making time for yourself.

Set and implement specific goals for yourself that will improve your mood and help you reduce stress. Start by filling out a goal-setting worksheet.

Avoid procrastination. Procrastination can create more mental and physical stress. If you have trouble staying on task, consider downloading apps that will help keep you off things that are distracting. To learn more about procrastination, click here.

Exercise- new organic URL needed regularly. Physical activity can help you burn off the energy generated by stress.

Practice good sleep habits - new organic URL needed to ensure that you are well-rested. Sleep deprivation can cause many physical and mental problems and can increase stress.

Try mindfulness meditation. Attend a guided meditation with Mindfulness@Umich

Limit (or eliminate) the use of stimulants like caffeine, which can elevate the stress response in your body.

Pace yourself throughout the day, taking regular breaks from work or other structured activities. During breaks from class, studying, or work, spend time walking outdoors, listen to music or just sit quietly, to clear and calm your mind.

Start a journal. Many people find journaling to be helpful for managing stress, understanding emotions, and making decisions and changes in their lives.

Realize that you have limits. Learn to work within your limits and set realistic expectations for yourself and others.

Plan leisure activities to break up your schedule. Click here for a list of fun things to do on campus.

Recognize the role your own thoughts can play in causing you distress. Challenge beliefs you may hold about yourself and your situation that may not be accurate. For example, do you continuously fall short of what you think you "should" accomplish? When our minds continuously feed us messages about what we "should" achieve, "ought" to be, or "mustn't" do, we are setting ourselves up to fall short of goals that may be unrealistic, and to experience stress along the way. Learn techniques for replacing unrealistic thoughts with realistic ones.

Find humor in your life. Laughter can be a great tension-reducer.

Seek the support of friends and family when you need to "vent" about situations that bring on stressful feelings. But make sure that you don't focus exclusively on negative experiences; try to also think of at least three things that are going well for you, and share those experiences.

Try setting a specific goal for yourself that will improve your mood and help you reduce stress. Start by filling out a goal-setting worksheet then help yourself stay on track by using your weekly motivator worksheet.

Relaxation Techniques
Research has shown that relaxation techniques are an effective way to reduce not only stress but many of the symptoms associated with mental illnesses. Try one or more of the following techniques for relaxing your mind and body and reducing the physical and psychological tension associated with stress. Take the time to experiment with these techniques to find out which ones work best for you.

Breathing Exercise: Place one hand on your abdomen right beneath your rib cage. Inhale slowly through your nose, drawing a deep breath into your lungs. Your chest should move only slightly, while your stomach rises, pushing your hand up. As you exhale, just let yourself go and imagine your entire body becoming loose and limp. It should take you twice as long to exhale as it does to inhale. Practice three times per day for two to three minutes. For more information and resources on this technique, click here.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Pay a "mental visit" to your muscles, stopping at each area of the body from head to toe (or toe to head), paying attention to individual areas where tension exists. As you pause at each area, tense and relax each muscle, trying to release unnecessary tension. Spend a few more minutes on those areas that seem to be holding the most tension. For more information and resources on this technique, click here.

Visual (Guided) Imagery: Imagine tension flowing out of your body from top to bottom. Visualize tension draining down your shoulders and arms and out through your fingertips into the air, down your thighs and legs, and out through the soles of your feet into the ground. It's also helpful to take a mental "vacation," imagining yourself in a pleasant, relaxing place such as on the beach or in the woods. This can be a place where you've been or a place you'd like to be. Take time to imagine the specific details of what you see, hear and feel in this place. For more information and resources on this technique, click here.

MINDFULNESS
❖ Mindfulness: Mindfulness is about noticing our thoughts, feelings or bodily sensations without judgment. It's a helpful tool in managing stress for those with a mental illness.

➢ Being Mindful of Everyday Activities. As a student, your life and your mind are often so busy that you forget to take notice of the everyday occurrences that keep your senses 'awake'. For example, as you walk across the Diag, you may be lost in thought while drinking a latte. You may not be aware of how you arrived at your destination or of the steam of the latte as you take a sip. Rather than allowing yourself to miss the moment, pause, take a breath and notice what you are experiencing. Your experiences may be pleasant and worth savoring. But even if they are unpleasant, you will be better able to cope if you face your experiences directly and strive to live "in the moment."

➢ How to practice Mindfulness through Meditation.

Find a comfortable position.

While focusing on your breathing, allow your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations to flow over you, entering and leaving your awareness at their own pace. Recognize each sensation, but then let it fade away, allowing the next thought or feeling to enter your mind. Continue to acknowledge each sensation, then let it go.

You will likely find that your mind is very busy with thoughts about all kinds of things - some pleasant, some unpleasant. Each time you notice that your mind has wandered, gently and without judgment shift your awareness back to your breath.

It can be most helpful to practice mindfulness for 30 minutes a day until you become comfortable with the technique.

The goal of mindfulness meditation is not to change your thoughts in any way, but simply to notice them and as best you can, continuously returning to your breath. Learning mindfulness meditation is similar to learning any new skill. There are an abundance of website and apps for guided meditations. Keep it simple. Be patient and kind with yourself. Do not expect that you will be able to "empty" your mind of thoughts and enter a state of deep relaxation. Try starting with ten minutes each day, setting a timer to see what happens. Remember that each moment is a new opportunity to begin. With practice, meditation can allow you to develop clarity in your thoughts and feelings, decrease your negative thoughts, and promote a sense of peacefulness and centeredness. You can also contact The University of Michigan Psychological Clinic for information on mindfulness-based cognitive group therapy for depression, which is an eight-week course developed to prevent depression relapse.

Check out a list of mental health apps recommended by the ADAA

Visit MiTalk to learn more about academic stress and maintaining balance

Wellness Coaching is a free 1:1 consultation focused on helping a student promote their own well-being and can help students find ways to manage stress

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Many students find that they need to develop new skills in order to balance academic demands with a healthy lifestyle. Fortunately, the University of Michigan offers many resources to help students develop these skills.

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Correct! Make a plan, look at it regularly, and if you fall behind, ASK FOR HELP! :)

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Online courses give students the flexibility to take their class anytime, anywhere. The trick, students say, is staying on top of them.

Doing so requires discipline, commitment, and organization-traits any successful student should possess, no matter what path they're taking to complete their degree.

"Being a good student, whether you're online or in person, are pretty much similar things," says Tamara Popovich, associate director of student services for ASU Online, the distance learning arm of Arizona State University.

But unlike their peers in the classroom, who have regular face time with instructors, online students receive no in-person reminder of when papers are due or tests are scheduled.

[See which schools have the Top Online Education Programs.]

"The big myth is it's easier to go online, because you can do it at your own pace," Popovich says. "You do have more flexibility, but it's not any easier ... It's harder, because you're on your own; you're left to your own devices."

A need for flexibility is one factor fueling the growth in online education-online enrollment hit an all-time high in 2010 with more than 6.1 million students-but a lack of direct oversight can make it easy for them to fall behind.

[Learn the ins and outs of financing your online degree.]

Throw in everyday distractions typical for an online student-full-time jobs, kids, family activities-and the work can easily pile up. These time management tips from online learning veterans can help you stay ahead of the game:

1. Make a plan: Online students need structure, and a study calendar is a great way to create it, says Christina Robinson Grochett, University of Phoenix's territory vice president for the Gulf Coast.

Check your syllabus before your course kicks off, and commit to due dates on your calendar. Then, designate study times for each class, and stick to them.

"I set aside a specific block of time every day, usually after the kids' bedtime, to work on my classes," says Natalie Fangman, mother of three and an online nursing student at Northeast Iowa Community College in Peosta. "I treat that time just like I would if I were in the actual classroom."

Sticking to her plan helped her juggle work, family, and multiple online courses without falling behind, Fangman says.

2. Check in daily: One draw of online classes is that students only need Internet access to connect to their courses.

If you have an iPhone or Android device, leverage it to stay organized, Robinson Grochett recommends.

[Read about four technology must haves for online students.]

"With all of the mobile devices we have, somebody can go to a baseball game and still be checking in," she says. "Not necessarily doing full-blown homework-just checking in and staying current."

Turning school into a daily activity makes it less overwhelming, and it prevents students from getting caught off guard by syllabus changes, says ASU Online's Popovich.

"Getting into a rhythm helped keep me on schedule and, most importantly, fight my urge to procrastinate," says Alex Bonine, who took online classes while earning his bachelor's in electrical engineering at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg.

3. Look ahead: Knowing what is due in six weeks, not just the next day, can help students maximize their time, Robinson Grochett says.

"Many times people don't read ahead to see what's next, so what they end up doing is replicating work that they've already done," she says.

And once you know when an assignment is due, don't wait until the day before to start working on it.

"If you have class, and you know it's due Tuesday night, well, don't make Monday night your night that you're going to finish your homework," Robinson Grochett says. "Sunday is a great day to say, 'I'm gonna go ahead and knock it out.'"

4. Speak up: If you struggle or fall behind, don't stay silent.

"Students are always hesitant to ask for help," says Popovich, with ASU Online. "They start to drown and they take drastic measures, or they don't take measures at all. Either way, they end up making a mistake."

Instructors may offer wiggle room with deadlines or extra credit if a situation warrants it, and most online programs have teams of counselors and advisers to help you along the way-but students need to be proactive, Popovich says.

Even if the course seems like a total loss, Popovich says there is someone who can help.

"We don't want them to fail miserably. There's always a middle ground," she says. "Let's rescue what we can, and then move forward from here."

Searching for an online program? Get our complete rankings of Top Online Education Programs.

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4 Time Management Tips for Online Students

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Online courses give students the flexibility to take their class anytime, anywhere. The trick, students say, is staying on top of them. Doing so requires discipline, commitment, and organization-traits any successful student should possess, no matter what path they're taking to complete their degree.

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I love this article. As a first time online college student, it provides effective ways to maximize your learning abilities. After reading, I have found that most of these tips I have taken upon myself and I am finding success.

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You have just enrolled in your first online course, but are you ready to study for it? Does it need more, less or the same level of commitment with the traditional instructor-led class you are used to? What are the best strategies for studying in online learning? In this article, I'll share 10 study tips for online learners that will help you succeed while studying for your online courses.

10 Study Tips For Online Learners

Taking online courses can be very convenient for many people. However, online learning requires time management skills, self-discipline, willpower, and strong motivation, as it may be challenging for online learners to successfully complete their eLearning courses. In this article, I'll share 10 key study tips for online learners, in order to help you stay focused and motivated when taking courses online.

1. Understand online learning practices and expectations.
The first thing you need to realize is thatonline courses are not an easier way to learn, but rather a more convenient one. To successfully learn online, you need to dedicate a significant amount of your time, consistently attend the program, be concentrated while studying, and fully commit to your learning process, just as you would do for a regular course. You should also have in mind that when you take an online course, you may be expected to:

Fully commit yourself and participate in the virtual classroom as required.

Be, or be willing to become, tech-savvy.

Work with others effectively.

Complete your learning tasks and assignments on time.

Be self-disciplined.
If you are not able or willing to do all of the above, you will probably not be a very happy online learner.

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2. Make sure that you have reliable internet access.
Technology glitches happen all the time. Imagine you are working in the middle of the night and your computer crashes. To avoid mishaps, ensure that you save your work repeatedly and backup regularly using cloud storage, for example Dropbox or Google Documents, in order to be able to access your previous work from your smart phone or tablet, if needed. Furthermore, ensure that you not only have a backup of your online course material and assignments, but also you have saved your instructor's or trainer's contact information in your cell phone or in your email. A reliable internet access will also give you the opportunity to check in, stay current with your eLearning course, and deal with sudden schedule changes.

3. Have a dedicated study space.
Whether you decide to study in your office or in your living room, ensure that this place is quiet, organized, distraction-free, and available for use at any time. Your study environment should be one of your main concerns when you are an online learner, so make sure that it enables your study routine. Furthermore, ask your friends, relatives, and colleagues to respect your "work mode" and consider turning off your phone and logging off of all social networks when studying; you will want to be neither interrupted nor distracted.

4. Identify your learning objectives and goals.
To stay on track with your online course, make sure that you always keep in mind what you hope to accomplish by the end of it. Thelearning objectives and goals of the eLearning course can be an excellent road map during online learning; read carefully your online course requirements, create notes that are closely related to your objectives, and make sure that you review them thoroughly every time you start an assignment, so that you stay focused on your goals. Finally, consider starting with the most difficult tasks, as this will improve both the effectiveness of your study and your performance.

5. Build a study plan.
An study plan is critical to online learning. Here are some tips to help you build it:

Plan ahead.
Never wait until the day before an assignment due date to start working on it. It will stress you and stress will prevent you from effectively completing the online task. Furthermore, knowing when all of your assignments are due until the end of the eLearning course will facilitate yourtime management; for instance, if you are going on vacation in the middle of the eLearning course, you can study ahead.

Have an effective calendar system.
Online learning needs structure; create a study calendar that will help you remember all important dates, like exams, or deadlines for submitting your assignments. You can save your calendar in your computer or in your mobile device, or you can even create a wall planner, which you can mark up and check every time you study.

Create to-do lists.
At the start of each week, make a to-do list of the tasks you need to complete by the end of the week. This is an excellent way to prioritize your study plan and stay on track with your studying.

Set time limits.
Before you start studying, estimate how much time each task will take to complete, whether it is a specific assignment or simply reading a chapter. Try to stick to your time limits, as this will help you develop your self-discipline. Furthermore, when you realize that despite your best efforts you cannot concentrate, consider stopping for an hour or for the night; it is better to wait until you are able to start afresh than to waste your time trying to focus.

Stay on schedule.
Finally, stick to your study plan. Procrastination is the worst enemy ofonline learners, so make sure that you stay organized and you are not falling behind in your online class. If you are having difficulties submitting your assignments on time, contact your online course instructor and let them know, so that they can help you create a consistent study routine.

6. Ask for help when you need it.
While it may be constructive to look for answers to your online course-related questions independently, hesitating to contact your online instructor when you are stuck may be problematic. If you don't ask for help when necessary, you may end up falling behind, which may lower your self-esteem, as you may not be able to keep up with the online course. Build a relationship with your online instructor and avoid misunderstandings by contacting them regularly and informing them who you are, and how you could use their help. By asking your online instructors to clarify problems, you will also help them not only to evaluate learners' level of understanding of the online material, but also to get an idea of the overall effectiveness of the online course. Finally, due to the open nature of online courses, by asking a question, you also help at the same time your virtual classmates, in case they are having similar difficulties. Keep in mind that if you don't ask for help when you need it, your online instructor may never know that something is wrong.

7. Review, revise, repeat.
Regular revisions of the things you have already studied will not only improve yourmemory, but they will also help you better understand what you are learning. Create your own flash cards for your key notes and quiz yourself on the key concepts of the online course. Furthermore, consider having one or more study partners; working in groups will offer you alternative views of difficult concepts, motivation to achieve better results, and help in completing your online assignments more quickly by reviewing what you have learned. Share your study notes and habits with your virtual classmates and support each other throughout the online learning process.

8. Take study breaks.
Your performance will decrease if your are feeling tired or frustrated while studying. Integrate some personal time into your study routine and you will be able to work more effectively on your online course goals. When taking a break, make sure that you get away from your study space; you need to have a change of scenery. A mild physical activity, such as a walk around the block, will help you maintain balance, renew energy, and go back to studying with a clear mind.

9. Participate in online discussions.
Online learning doesn't necessarily mean learning in isolation. Connecting with your virtual classmates onsocial media or your online course's forum will enhance tremendously your eLearning experience, especially if you are an introvert and visual barriers hinder you in expressing yourself. Participate actively in online discussions and group activities, suggest study tricks, offer your input on the eLearning course, and in new ideas. Just ensure that you are mindful of your online tone; be respectful when you disagree with other members of your online group, and always write in complete and clear sentences to avoid misunderstandings and tone mishaps.

10. Stay motivated.
Finally, don't underestimate the effort needed to fully commit to your online course. To make sure that you staymotivated and engaged in your online learning experience, consider following these tips:

Feel free to create your study routine at your own comfortable pace.

Decorate your study space with inspirational quotes and pictures.

Never forget the reason why you took this online course.

Accept that you will have productive and less productive days.

Have healthy snacks nearby to boost your energy.

Reward yourself every time you complete a challenging task.

Make sure that you take some time for yourself from time to time.

Stay positive and keep your chin up.

Follow these study tips for online learners and you will be able to make your online learning a fun and enjoyable eLearning experience. If you are not sure about how an online course can fit into your busy schedule, read the article The Top 7 eLearning Benefits For Busy Adult Learners and discover a few of the many benefits of eLearning for busy adult learners who are always on the run.

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Getting The Most Out Of Your eLearning Course: 10 Study Tips For Online Learners

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You have just enrolled in your first online course, but are you ready to study for it? Does it need more, less or the same level of commitment with the traditional instructor-led class you are used to? What are the best strategies for studying in online learning?