Online schooling offers busy students the freedom and flexibility to reach their college dreams, but too much freedom can spell trouble for the procrastinator.
Don’t surrender to the temptation to put off today’s work until tomorrow. You can become a time management pro and a successful online student by following these simple tips:
1. Invest in a calendar. Choose one with plenty of room to jot down all of your daily assignments and due dates, and write them down as soon as you get your course syllabus.
2. Review assignment details immediately. Your English essay might not be due until next month, but you might need to read a novel before you can write it. Brief yourself on those specifics so you aren’t caught off guard.
3. Break homework into manageable parts. That overwhelming chemistry research project will seem less intimidating if you view it as a lot of little jobs instead of one big job. Set small target goals for each day and then aim to complete them one step at a time.
4. Study every day. Even if you aren’t in the mood, do some homework, preferably at the same time each day. When you do things repetitively, they become habits.
5. Make a daily “to do” list. Review what needs to be done at the start of every day.
6. Pay attention to your biological clock. Some people rise at dawn. Others sleep until noon. Ask yourself when you work most efficiently, and study during those hours.
7. Prioritize. A procrastinator’s hallmark is finding a million things to do besides the task at hand. Resist the temptation to clean your room or play a video game when deadlines loom.
8. Set limits. If an assignment is due, turn down that babysitting job or the dinner date with friends. Don’t be afraid to say “no!”
9. Find a quiet place to study. Stay away from busy locations where you might run into friends who will lure you away from your work.
10. Tune out technology. Your favorite television show can wait. Sign off of Facebook. Shut down instant messaging. Turn off your cell phone so you won’t be distracted by text messages.
If you put your mind to it, you can beat the procrastination blues and achieve your educational goals.
I think the first thing that must be done is for the student to make a connection to WHY they should study/work hard. If they truly understand why it will be second nature to be successful.
Jeff Gawronski
http://www.dormco.com
Jeff, you bring up an excellent point. Remembering the reason that we are engaging in a cause — be it finishing assignments or getting up for work in the morning — will help us find the fuel we need to do what needs to be done.