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Articles Tagged With time savers

Ten Time Savers To Help You Make Time To Attend An Online College

November 19th, 2010 by michaelm

Attending an online college can help to improve your opportunities in innumerable different facets of life. However, it can be difficult to juggle schoolwork along with other responsibilities such as children or a job. The following time savers will help relieve stress and enable you to get the education that you so desire.

1. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Many people will admire your goals and will be more than happy to assist wherever they can. For instance, you could ask a friend to take your children to school in the mornings.

2. Divide household responsibilities. Ask your family to help with chores, taxes, and errands.

3. Tell your boss about your classes. Your boss might be willing to give you more adaptable hours if he or she knows that you are currently working towards a degree.

4. Take your time. Most online courses have very flexible completion dates, and there is no need to stress yourself out with more work at one time than you are able to handle. Working at a reasonable pace will actually save time in the long run.

5. Every once in a while, take a break! You will be able to work more efficiently if you are rested and enthusiastic about your goals.

6. Ask for some emotional support. You will likely be stressed out with your new responsibilities, and this is natural. Emotional support from friends or family can help you to deal with this stress in a healthier manner, allowing you to work at a more vigorous pace.

7. Set aside some time for pure studying. You will be able to accomplish far more in a smaller amount of time if you do not have to deal with various distractions while you are trying to work.

8. Find a quiet work place. If you have kids, try to work while they are at school. Most people find that they are able to study much easier and more efficiently when they are alone.

9. Remind yourself of your objective. If you are motivated to achieve your goals, you will feel propelled to work at a much swifter pace.

10. Stick to a schedule. Most people work more effectively when adhering to a given time frame.

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Ten Ways to Make Working on Assignments for Online Colleges More Efficient

November 7th, 2010 by michaelm

You may have already prepared for your online courses by creating a workspace and schedule for yourself, but it’s also important to be ready for productivity. Here are ten ways to make working on assignments for online colleges more efficient.

1. Create a folder system on your computer
Before your classes begin, you should create a folder for all of your schoolwork with sub-folders for each class, as well as different types of assignments.

2. Use the same accounts for all of your courses
Cut down on the time you spend checking e-mail by using the same account for all of your courses.

3. Do all of your work in the same programs
If you’re using a text editor or a graphics program for some of your courses, use the same program for every assignment you do. This will make files more search-able in the future.

4. Have shortcuts on your desktop
For the programs you’ll be using often, create a shortcut on the desktop for easy access.

5. Name your files consistently
Create a consistent naming system for your files, and name each new file in the same format. This improves your organization and saves time when you’re searching.

6. Bookmark important pages and resources
Have a bookmarking system to keep track of pages and resources you’ll need to come back to.

7. Keep records of your coursework
Maintain records of assignments, projects, and other interactions you have with your instructor, so that everything is on file if you need to refer back to it.

8. Label and archive e-mails in folders as they come in
Avoid becoming overwhelmed by e-mail, by processing each message when you receive it.

9. Maintain separate files and folders for different courses
Though your coursework should be together in a school folder, make sure to keep folders for each individual course separate, so that your business assignments aren’t mixed in with graphic design projects.

10. Keep an online calendar or desktop program to track your assignments
Stay on top of your schedule and your work by utilizing an online calendar or planning system.

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Ten Ways To Prevent Distractions While Taking Online Classes

November 6th, 2010 by michaelm

Taking online courses can be challenging, especially if you live in a home that has other people living there, but there are some ways to avoid distractions and keep involved with what is important, studying.

1. Find a room that is very quiet and located within the home with fewer distractions and out of the way of visitors or other family members.

2. Attach a note to the outside of the door where studying is taking place to inform everyone that you are studying. That way when family members come to ask a question, they know you are busy and can come back later.

3. Inform other family members that you will be studying. This will avoid having someone run a sweeper, having a television or a radio on loud and running loud tools or equipment that may distract you.

4. Avoid the visitors. If it is possible, have another family member handle visitors and friends if they arrive. Have them inform them that you are studying and can call them or stop by to see them at a later time.

5. Be prepared to sit for awhile. Have a drink and a snack available, make sure laundry or dinner will not be a distraction and go to the restroom before you start to study.

6. Shut the window if outside noises are a common interference and use a small fan instead for air circulation.

7. Make sure the television and radio is shut off. It is easy to have a song or a conversation on a show catch your attention.

8. Do not open applications on the computer that will interfere with working, like instant messages or email notifications.

9. Keep dogs, cats loud birds or other animals out of the room, unless they are very calm and can lie on a bed or by a chair without wanting constant attention or making noise.

10. Shut off cell phones and home phones in the room where one is studying. These can be a huge distraction that one can avoid. Use an answering machine to answer the incoming calls.

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Ten Ways To Customize Internet Explorer For Attending Online College Classes

November 4th, 2010 by michaelm

When starting online classes it is beneficial to set up your home computer so that when you are taking your online classes it is easier to navigate around without confusion. Online classes offer flexibility for any individual that works, has a family, or just simply doesn’t have the time to go to classes in person. This allows an individual to work on classes at his or her own pace. Below is a step by step guide in how to set up Internet Explorer for your online classes.

Step 1. Check and see which version of Internet Explorer you have. To check click help after you have opened Internet Explorer. Then click about. If your Internet Explorer is not 7.0 or higher, you need to upgrade it.

Step 2. Upgrade now if you need to. If you have the 7.0 or higher, skip this step. To update, click tools after you have opened Internet Explorer. Then click Windows update. Follow the instructions as prompted. When the update is completed restart the computer.

Step 3. Open Internet Explorer and click tools. Then click internet options. The dialog box will open at this time.

Step 4. Find the security tab and click it. Click on the green check mark labeled trusted sites. The words trusted sites will be highlighted in gray, now move the slider to medium security level and then click apply.

Step 5. Find the Enabled Protected Mode check box and then un-check it. If you are prompted to reboot your computer at this time, select no.

Step 6. Locate the Custom Level button and then click it. Scroll down in the scripting area and activate the following by using the radio buttons provided. Active Scripting, Allow Status Bar Updates Via Scripts, Allow Websites To Prompt For Information Using Scripted Windows, and Scripting of Java Applets. Click OK and then yes.

Step 7. Click the sites button on the internet options. Un-check if checked Require Server Verification. Add in the your schools website in the text box labeled “Add this website to the zone”. Click Add and then close.

Step 8. On the privacy tab uncheck “Turn On Popup Blocker” and then click apply.

Step 9. Click the sites button. Type in your online classes website url and then click Allow and then click OK twice.

Step 10. Add your schools online website URL to the trusted sites list to any other tool-bars you may have installed. Then exit and restart the PC for all changes to take effect.

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Ten Ways to Customize Google Chrome for Online Colleges

November 4th, 2010 by michaelm

Google Chrome is the web browser that is notable for its security and speed. Developed by Google in 2008, students have made Google Chrome a staple for all desktops. This list compiles the top ten Google Chrome customizations for students attending online college courses.

Google Chrome's Logo

1.) AutoPagerize is a Chrome browser extension that automatically loads up multiple pages on a website. For instance, college students read newspaper articles in the New York Times that have multiple pages to a single article. AutoPagerize automatically loads the other pages eliminating the need to click “next page”

2.) Note Anywhere allows the student to create sticky notes on a website. The sticky notes load automatically when the student revisits this website. Note Anywhere is a great customization for students performing research related web work.

3.) StayFocusd is a productivity customization for Chrome browser that limits the amount of time spent on time-wasting websites. The program is configurable by the student and monitors time spent. Perfect for the student with a knack for staying off topic.

4.) Wikipedia Companion is a function that allows the student to look up the meaning to any word on a webpage. A popup is displayed when a text is highlighted and a definition is given.

5.) Clip to Evernote is a productivity tool that allows students to make notes about a particular website and then retrieve later form the Evernote desktop app.

6.) Lazarus is function that resurrects crashed windows within Google Chrome. When a window is closed due to any reason at all, Lazarus revives Chrome tabs and saves data temporarily. It will even store previously entered data back in. This is perfect for students that have a web browser shut down while trying to respond to an essay question.

7.) IE Tab is a customization for Chrome that displays a page in an Internet Explorer mode. Some websites requires the use of Internet Explorer. Google Chrome is the only web browser a student will need with IE Tab.

8.) DayHiker is a Google Calendar that allows students to keep their schedule in order. Pop-ups will come up when a certain deadline is in place and will ask to block websites around this deadline.

9.) FastestChrome is a customization that adds to the efficiency of Google Chrome by auto paginating websites as well as other useful enhancements for college students.

10.) After the Deadline is a built-in spellchecker that also proofreads documents. The program will check for grammar and content mistakes and works with a majority of websites. When posting on an online discussion board, students can use this function to ensure proper grammar usage.

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Ten Ways to Customize Firefox for Online Colleges

November 4th, 2010 by michaelm

Firefox is a web browser that is popular for its ability for customization. It is a stable and well designed web browser that gives students of online colleges the flexibility and dependability to succeed in class. These are the top ten customizations for students attending online college courses.

Firefox logo

1.) Taboo is a Firefox customization that allows the student to save tabs for later. This is good during web sessions that involve heavy research on multiple websites. Not only does Taboo save the tab, but also the location last visited within the page.

2.) Reminderfox is a calendar program developed for the Mozilla Firefox web browser. This customization gives students access to a calendar where he or she can list important school dates. Reminders as message pop ups remind students when important deadlines are due.

3.) LeechBlock is a customization that gives the students the opportunity to block out certain websites within a given time period. The internet is a place where time can be consumed easily and as such this customization gives the student power to add websites that he or she may be tempted to view during a designated class period.

4.) Trailfire is a Firefox customization that allows students to comment on web pages. This is great for students that are performing research online and allows multiple websites to be saved underneath a topic with keywords. Trailfire also allows for student collaboration. Students can share their research with others.

5.) Wired-Marker allows the student to highlight text within a web page for future reference. Students can easily pull a page and reference key material that has been highlighted by Wired-Marker.

6.) Juice is a research customization that calls up additional information on any word within a web page document. The student can simply right-click a word and the word is automatically searched on other sites.

7.) Zotero is a customization for bibliography cites. Zotero automatically documents websites so that students can use the information in a works cited page. Zotero can also grab metadata from PDF files and is available in multiple languages.

8.) FireCal is a multiple function calculator that can be used to check math answers. Functions on FireCal include a body mass calculator and compound interest calculator.

9.) Free Translate is a Firefox customization that allows students to translate between English, French, Russian and German.

10.) AdBlockPlus is a customization that removes unwanted ads from websites. This is useful for students and speeds up the process of pulling up a website for research

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Laptop vs Desktop: The Pros and Cons of Each When Attending Online Classes

November 3rd, 2010 by michaelm

If you are planning to take college classes online, then you have made a great choice. There is probably no better or more efficient method available today for obtaining a high quality education. Since you will be getting most of your education on your computer, it is essential that you have a good one. However, you may be wondering whether you should purchase a laptop or a desktop computer. Both laptops and desktops have their own benefits and disadvantages, so there is no clear cut answer. Let’s take a look at a few things that you should consider.

1. Price

When you are comparing laptop vs. desktop computers, one thing that will jump out at you is the price difference. Generally speaking, desktops are a bit cheaper than laptops. You can get the same amount of computing power with a desktop for about half the price. If you are trying to save money, then a desktop is definitely the way to go.

2. Portability

If you want to be able to do your coursework in places besides your home, then you will definitely want a laptop. Laptops are great because you can often head into a coffee shop and connect to your online learning module via a public WiFi connection. You might also want to get some work done in a park if it is a nice day. If you travel quite often, then a laptop is a must. On the other hand, if you spend most of the day at home with your children, then you can probably get away with purchasing a desktop.

3. How Long Will it Last?

A further consideration when deciding whether to purchase a laptop or a desktop is how long you need your machine to last. If you are planning on pursuing a four year degree online, then it might be a good idea to purchase a computer that will last at least that long. Desktops are generally more rugged than laptops. In addition, since you will be carrying your laptop around a lot, there is a higher likelihood it will become damaged.

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Ten Tips For Managing Your Time When Taking Multiple Classes From Online Universities

November 1st, 2010 by michaelm

Though going to college online can give you the flexibility you need to complete your degree according to your schedule, you may still find times where you are overwhelmed by the amount of schoolwork you need to do. During these hectic periods you will need to have solid time management skills in order to get through relatively unscathed. This is why practicing your time management skills at ALL times is so important - you need them in both prevent and manage those stressful periods. Here are ten ways to manage your time when taking multiple classes:

1.) Make a semester calendar, noting all the due dates for assignments and projects. You should also include other dates and deadlines for obligations outside of school.

2.) Next, chunk down your time into weekly calendars. Based on the semester calendar, figure out what tasks need to be completed that week, and divide them throughout the seven days according to relevant due dates, busy days, and other obligations. You will want to spread out the work as much as possible; doing a little every day is much better than doing tons one day. Complete this task at the start of every week.

3.) When you wake up each day, write out a to do list for the day based on your weekly calendar.

4.) On this to do list, you may have too many tasks to complete, especially if some unforeseen emergency pops up. Thus, you’ll want to prioritize your list into three categories: A, B, and C. A = must do; B = should do; C = would like to do. Categorize ALL your tasks, not just school ones, according to this framework.

5.) Don’t leave things to the last minute. This is what planning your semester, week, and day should help accomplish.

6.) Use spare minutes and moments effectively. We all have periods of 10, 20, or 30 minutes throughout the day that go to waste. Identify and take advantage of them.

7.) Don’t multitask. Focus on one task at a time. Complete it and then move on to the next on your list.

8.) If you are really in an emergency, consider ‘triaging’ your classes. Some classes are easier than others, and some classes are less important than others. Put the harder, more important classes first in your to do list.

9.) If you have lots of tests or assignments from multiple classes falling on one day, ask one or more of your professors for an extension to help give you extra time.

10.) Be honest about your work habits. Are you truly ‘working hard,’ or are you hardly working? Work hard, work smart, and have fun.

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