Set Aside Specific Hours for Schoolwork

Typical college students have classes during set times every day. As an online student, you aren’t restricted by such a schedule. One way to stop yourself from procrastinating is to set aside specific hours for schoolwork every single day.

Follow a Daily To-Do List

Scheduling time for your schoolwork is just a start when you’re trying to organize your time. It’s also a good idea to have a clear to-do list, or multiple to-do lists, depending on your class schedule. You can keep the list directly on a file on your computer or hand-write it and hang it on the wall to help keep you motivated. As you complete tasks, cross them off the list. The sense of accomplishment can be tremendously relieving.

Avoid Social Networking during “College” Hours

When you set a schedule for school, make sure that this is actually college time, not computer time. Prohibit yourself from social networking sites, such as Facebook when you’re supposed to be working. If you intend to spend a long time working online, you can reward yourself with little breaks every few hours, but otherwise stick to only using the computer for activities related to your classes.

Study Small Amounts Every Week Rather than Cramming

As soon as you start learning about the material covered in the course, begin to study efficiently for the mid-term and final. Many courses also have other tests and quizzes, so by doing a small amount of studying every day, you’re preparing yourself for whatever your instructor throws your way. Even just 15 minutes every night before you go to sleep can help you retain material. Come finals week, you’ll have a very good base of knowledge before you ever begin to prepare for the exam.

Ask for Help as Soon as You Need It

Just like typical college instructors, online college instructors are more than happy to help students who feel confused or are struggling with their schoolwork. Don’t be afraid to speak up–and do so as soon as you start feeling unsure about a concept or lesson. If you wait until the end of the course, you won’t be prepared for tests and the confusion will only snowball until it’s unmanageable. On the other hand, if you get help right away, you’ll spend less time on homework, papers, and studying throughout the entire term.

Set Your Own Deadlines

Whenever you are assigned a homework assignment or paper for your online class, schedule a deadline. When setting a deadline, don’t schedule it for the day the assignment is really due to your professor; instead, give yourself a few days of leeway in case you run into problems or otherwise need extra time to work. Try to stagger your personal due dates throughout the semester so you aren’t overwhelmed with work at any one time.

Invest in a Laptop

Lastly, when you’re taking an online class, one of the best ways to manage your time is to invest in a laptop. You don’t need a laptop to take courses online, but having one means that you can make good use of time that would typically be lost, such as time during your lunch hour at work or waiting at the doctor’s office. Fit in your classes during times that would otherwise be wasted, and you’ll have much more free time during the rest of your day.