Manage Your Time and Study Smart

Managing Time and Work Online courses are open 24/7. This can be good or baddepending on how you use your time management skills. Obviously, the "always open" nature of online learning means that it offers flexibility since you can login and participate anytime you have access to the Internet. But, sometimes learners feel as through they need to or should be logged in at all times, since the class is always in session. Though your Online Teacher will value regular participation and expect you to spend time on your coursework, it is important for you to manage your time and workload.

• Be disciplined. Show respect for your work and classmates by sticking to your work plan, team protocols and class participation requirements.
  
  
• Familiarize yourself with the design of your course. At the beginning of the course, be sure to "take a tour" of the course and get comfortable with the format.
  
  
• Read the entire syllabus as soon as possible. It is helpful to review the syllabus at the start of the course to be clear about the class outcomes and expectations.
  
  
• Set reminders for important dates. When your course gets going, it is easy to lose track of time. At the start of your course, to write down important dates for assignments, chats, and assessments so that they don't sneak up on you or pass you by.
  
  
• Prepare for assignments and tests. Treat all online course assignments and tests with the same importance as you would those in a traditional face-to-face class. Be sure to schedule time in your work plan to prepare for long-term assignments and assessments.
  
  
• Keep track of your progress. Check-off assignments as you complete them. Review your grades regularly and communicate with your Online Teacher or your Mentor Teacher when you have concerns about your progress.
  
  
• Work ahead when you can. You never know when you are going to be out-of-commission (sick, family emergency, computer failure, etc.) so when you can, work ahead. It is like buying coursework insurance. You may not need to use it, but if you do, you'll be glad it's there.

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Even More Time Management and Workload Strategies