Best practices for completing your online education
Pursuing an online education requires a bit of finesse as you seek to balance work, school, and kids. It requires even more thoughtfulness as you navigate the current situation of social distancing or work from home measures in place. Given these realities, now is a good time to review some important steps one can take to ensure success and progress toward graduation.
- Use a calendar that works for you! Right now it might be hard to remember what you’re supposed to do and when you’re supposed to get it done. Using a calendar will help you remember the important due dates of assignments. You may prefer either a written calendar or an electronic one. The benefit to an electronic calendar is that you can access it on your phone as well as your computer and even set reminders for yourself. The benefit to a written calendar, such as a wall calendar or binder calendar, is that you can see it at all times if you place it near your work space.
- Plan your work. Make time each day to focus on schoolwork, whether that’s 15 minutes before you start your work day, during your lunch hour, or a time later in the evening after your kids have gone to bed. Your schedule may seem out of rhythm and you may struggle prioritizing your various responsibilities. Making a plan for your schoolwork ensures that you are remain actively engaged and working toward your goals. It also prevents you from waiting until the last moment to complete assignments. Procrastination will only increase your stress. Prioritizing your work will help relieve this pressure. Make a list of the tasks you need to do each day in order to stay on track.
- Set limits and stick to them. As you’re planning your work and making your list, anticipate how much time it will take you to complete each task and then stick to the schedule. This will not only help you be disciplined, but will help create healthy boundaries during this season. Setting time limits allows you to focus on what is in front of you. If you find that you are struggling to stick to your limits, consider reviewing them to ensure they are realistic. If you are having a hard time concentrating on your work, consider taking a break from the book or screen to focus on something else for a brief time. You’ll be able to accomplish more when you are in the right frame of mind to do so. And if you find you are having trouble submitting work on time, be sure to communicate with your instructor immediately. They may be able to develop a plan that will allow you to be more successful.