Time Management

The most significant factor causing students to succeed - or not - in a Distance Learning class is their ability to manage time. The more successful Distance Learning students report regularly spending 2 to 3 hours each week for each hour of class credit. A 2 unit credit class, for example, requires a minimum of 4 to 6 hours of work EACH WEEK of the semester to complete all requirements.

Without class lectures to spur that quick burst of activity to complete the project or study for a test, some Distance Learning students procrastinate throughout the semester - only to find themselves hopelessly far behind. The following information was developed by former students who have successfully completed Distance Learning courses:

Work out your typical weekly schedule - on paper - so that you will have a general guide for fitting your study time into your activities.

Here is a typical plan for scheduling:

• Set up a grid with 1/2 hour times on the left side of the page, from waking to closing down for the night, and all 7 days of the week across the top.
• Fill in your non-flexible times (work hours, scheduled classes, etc) with specific information.
• Fill in your flexible times related to those non-flexible ones (travel time to work or school, lunch, break, etc).
• Fill in your other activities - clubs, choir, meetings, etc - which happen less than once a week.
• List special must-do tasks for family, etc., e.g. pick up the kids from school, that occur regularly. Consider taking a course book along to accomplish study needs at the same time.
• List DEDICATED TO STUDY TIME. This will be time that you will reserve for study; nothing less than a major emergency will be allowed to disturb it. One student suggested that this be set in 1/2 hour segments -1 segment per credit hour - and before or after this segment a 1/2 hour or hour TRY TO STUDY TIME be scheduled.
• List TRY TO STUDY TIME. This will be time that you are planning nothing but study, but recognize that it may be interrupted. If interrupted, remember to grab some catch-up time.
• Use a semester calendar to lay out your deadlines. If your instructor did not provide specific deadlines, set your own and meet them.
• Arrive a bit early to work and use that 20 minutes for study.
• Have your lunch hour with the textbook and syllabus away from the "gang".
• Review the syllabus, study guide, or notes while waiting for the kids at the dentist, dance lesson, etc.
• Find a corner at school to work on a project between, before, or after other classes.
• Get up a half hour before the kids and use that time for important, difficult, or new material.
• Work solidly for 1/2 hour, keeping to that 1/2 hour limit as a reasonable stopping point. Using a timer with a bell or tone alarm can be very useful and productive; you don't have to guess or clock watch and can concentrate totally on the work.
• Do not puzzle for days on a problem. Get with a fellow student in the class or with the instructor for help early.
• Lay aside a problem piece of work and go back with a fresh look later. However, if that does not work after a second try, get help.