Time
Management
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of working in an asynchronous
online environment is the ability to effectively manage your time and
tasks. Everyone has a preferred way to do this, but successful students
all have a deliberate plan to help them manage the assorted tasks and
deadlines associated with the class as well as the other parts of life
that require their attention. Here are a few things to keep in mind as
you consider how to structure your time.
Make
a Schedule:
In a traditional face-to-face class, there is a specific time and
specific days for the learner to attend a class. Asynchronous online
courses offer significant flexibility, but that can be a blessing and a
curse. For learners with busy lives and diverse responsibilities
outside the classroom, this flexibility can mean the difference between
excelling in a course because they can fit it into their schedule and
failing a course because they are unable to meet at 9:00am on Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday every week. At the same time, if a learner
interprets this flexibility as "I can just work on it whenever I have
free time", that learner is likely to find that they have no "free"
time or their "free" time is rapidly consumed by other tasks. Make a
reasonable estimate of the time you will need to be successful in the
course and specifically schedule that time, just like you would
schedule a work shift, or a doctor's visit, or a birthday party for
your favorite sibling. Once you have established that schedule, protect
your time. Sure, there may be a day when an emergency comes up and you
have to attend to something else during your scheduled course time, but
make sure your criteria for labelling something an "emergency" sets a
very high bar.
Work Ahead:
Despite our best intentions, life happens. When you have the
opportunity to work ahead, do it! That's time you are putting into the
bank to use later when an "emergency" comes up.
Find a
Space:
Just like identifying specific times, identifying a specific place
to do your learning can be extremely helpful. Maybe it's your couch,
maybe it's your kitchen table. I strongly suggest finding a space that
is not normally used for other activities that are not associated with
learning or other similar activities. If you try to "learn" in a space
that your brain already identifies with "relaxing" or "family time", it
can be difficult to change gears when it's learning time. This doesn't
mean you have to have a dedcicated room just for online learning, but
maybe you have a specific placemat for your kitchen table or lapdesk
that can send a tangible signal to your brain that it is time to learn.
{I personally like something like this: https://www.dickblick.com/products/helix-metal-edge-drawing-boards/
to use as a lapdesk for my computer.}
Stay in
Touch:
Never hesitate to contact the instructor. It is always easier to
address a challenge when we know about it earlier rather than later. My goal
is to help you succeed in this class and your future; help me to help
you do that.
These are just a couple tips and tricks. Good luck and let me know when
and how I can help.
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