Study Skills & Time Management for Online Courses

Core Principles

• Online courses require discipline and independence; self-assessment and a solid study skills plan are essential for success.

Step 1 — Identify your time management style

• Reflect on past habits: does your current approach fit your online courses, or is change needed?
• Remain open to improvement; you can always adapt your approach to study and time management.

Step 2 — Create a schedule

• Build flexibility into your schedule to handle unforeseen events.
• Scheduling approach varies: milestone-based or day-by-day planning—use what helps you stay on track.
• Must-have elements in any schedule:
  • Major deadlines and due dates
  • Milestones for large tasks or assignments
• Use your course syllabus to determine rhythm:
  • How often discussions are required
  • Test/exam dates
  • Assignment/paper due dates
  • Group or collaborative deadlines
• Tools to use:
  • Cloud calendars: $Google Calendar$, $iCal$, $Outlook$
  • Student-specific tools: $iHomework$
• Time budget baseline:
  • We all have $168$ hours per week: $168$ hours to allocate.
• Time allocation rule of thumb:
  • Studying: $ext{study time} = 2 imes ext{class hours}$
  • Example: If enrolled in $12$ units, aim for $24$ hours of study per week.
• Level of detail should fit your needs: some prefer a detailed daily plan, others prefer focusing on major deadlines; either can work if you stay consistent.
• Determine your peak productivity window: morning, afternoon, or evening.
• Plan for changes: create a variable schedule to accommodate shifts or days off.

Step 3 — Get better at prioritizing

• Set clear short-term and long-term goals; decide what needs to be done today, this week, by the end of month, and by semester.
• Respect your time; aim to minimize wasted time and maximize productive study.
• Procrastination is the biggest risk in online learning; address it proactively.

Procrastination cues and remedies

• Common warning signs you may be procrastinating:
  • Paper due in two days and no start
  • Pulled an all-nighter to finish
  • Late submission or unnecessary extensions
  • Working at the last minute
  • Underestimating reading time
  • Relying on online summaries instead of finishing readings
• Strategies to overcome procrastination:
  • Keep studying bite-sized: e.g., read for $45$ minutes or solve $10$ problems
  • Minimize distractions: turn off your phone, close chat windows, block distracting sites
  • Study in a dedicated space; avoid bedrooms if they invite napping
  • Use checklists: be specific, describe each task step-by-step
  • Reward yourself for sticking to a self-imposed code of conduct

Quick recap (essentials for last-minute review)

• Schedule beats cramming: plan ahead with a flexible, realistic calendar
• Daily or milestone tasks should align with syllabus rhythms
• Maintain steady study habits: aim for regular, incremental learning
• Protect study time from distractions; create a focused environment
• Procrastination indicators should prompt immediate action