Managing online classes can be quite tricky. Indeed it is very different to the demands of in person classes as e-learning requires even more planning ahead and a greater capacity to adapt. And if you add all the other class times, club meetings, homework, and jobs or work-study, there never seems to be any space for error in daily life scheduling. In this blog we will share some of our tips for effectively managing your online learning schedule.
Think ahead
Your busy schedule, mixed with everyday life tasks and distractions can make it difficult to focus on learning. The most successful online students know how to prioritise their studies. This involves sticking to a regular schedule and workspace, filtering out distractions, and avoiding social media.
Despite the convenience of being an online student, it's critical to keep up with your studies throughout the week. Allow enough time to spread your mandatory readings, assignments, and online discussions out.
Consider purchasing a calendar to help you organise your daily and weekly assignments, highlighting: Assignments due, including drafts and final submissions, program-related activities (such as study group gatherings), and virtual or in-person meetings with professors and advisers.
Focus on one thing at a time
It can be quite tempting to do multiple things at the same time to keep on top of your duties. However, it may become detrimental to you and your learning progress. Avoid multitasking because it will reduce your productivity. Concentrate on one job at a time, whether it's studying for an exam, reading a textbook, emailing a professor, or engaging in an online forum. Arrange your chores in priority order, and focus on the three or four most important things that demand the most work.
If you're having trouble keeping focused, use a specialised project management application to help you arrange your tasks and responsibilities. Look at digital notebooks if you prefer a classic to-do list. You could even opt for good old pen and paper, there are a lot of lovely stationery brands out there.
Finally, focus on what needs to be done right now and avoid worrying about the future. Put everything on your calendar and take care of one thing at a time. Overthinking is your enemy, so relax and have faith in your capabilities.
Find your own space
To reach your full potential, it is essential to work in an environment that works for you. The perfect working environment can be very different from one person to another, so we would advise you to try different methods to find what works best for you.
Make sure that you have access to a reliable internet connection, that you are in a comfortable environment, and that the lighting, sound, and background are appropriate for the situation. For instance, some people find it more comfortable to work with headphones on, while others find that stillness or ambient sounds are more conducive to their productivity. Take a seat in a chair that's comfortable, put away your phone and close all of the browser windows you have open.
Lastly, make sure you have everything you need for a good studying session within reach (such as textbooks).
Find the balance and take care of yourself
It is crucial to strike a balance between your coursework and your other duties. This is especially true if you are trying to juggle school and a job.
Be sure to prioritise your time in a way that enables you to focus on school, work, and your personal life when you need to achieve an effective balance and avoid burning out. This will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed. Establishing a routine that complements your way of life and enables you to reach your goals while staying healthy.
In order to prevent mental exhaustion and burnout, it is essential to give yourself a reward after completing a task.You can reward yourself by celebrating your achievements and giving yourself something that you actually like, such as eating your favourite meal, watching an episode of your favourite show, reading a few chapters of a good book, hugging your cat or simply eating a sweet.