Online learning requires learners to be organized and to manage time wisely. Below we have listed hints that will help you better manage your study time.
Develop a Study Plan
In order to be successful in your online studies, it is best to make a study plan. This study plan will help you to determine when, where, and how you will study. Below are some of the questions that you may want to answer in your study plan:
- When will I study?
- Where will I study? (home/office)
- How many hours a week can I commit to studying?
- What are competing priorities in my life? How can I work around these?
- When will I evaluate my study plan to see if it is working?
Your Learning Space
In advance of enrolling in an online course, it is a good idea to set up a learning space. Make sure that you have all materials and supplies needed, including your computer. Keep your papers and documents related to the course in this location. Make sure that it is a comfortable and well-lit space.
Getting Support
It is important for us all to be supported in our learning endeavors whether face-to-face or online. Before beginning online learning, it is a good idea to approach your family and employer to let them know that you are planning to take an online course. Let them know how long you will be involved in the course and what you expect from them.
You’ll find that getting their support early in the game makes it that much easier for you to be an effective learner.
Managing Your Time
If you have ever spent any amount of time online, you know that time seems to go much faster. Before you know it, it’s been three hours!
One important skill to learning online is learning to manage your time first.
Here is a list of tips for managing your time effectively so that you have time for all the things you want to do.
- Make a list. Create a checklist of things that you need to accomplish and check them off as they are completed.
- Set reminders. Allocate a set amount of time for a specific task and then use an alarm to alert you when you have almost used up your time.
- Delegate. Don’t feel while you are learning online that you have to do everything for everyone.
- Make time for offline activities. Make note of these at the beginning of the course and plan accordingly for them.
Motivation
When we sign up for online learning, we are excited at the beginning but as the weeks progress, motivation can diminish. When this occurs, remind yourself of the reason you enrolled in the first place. Realize that you are doing this to improve your teaching skills and to provide better services for your students. Remind yourself that you can do this. We ask our students to juggle the stress of learning and working; experiencing this for yourself will also make you more empathetic towards what your students are going through.
Do you have any other ideas or ways that can help an online learner? What is it you do to prepare?
