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QEP: Guide for Online Students: Time Management and Organizational Skills

This guide will help students with resources and tips on how to be successful in their online courses

Time Management Techniques

Pomodoro Technique: fixed time intervals for focused work, usually 25 minutes, followed by short 5 minute break. After 4 cycles, you take a 20 to 30 minute break.

 

Eisenhower Matrix: Organize your task list into four separate quadrants, sorting them by important vs. unimportant and urgent vs. not urgent.

 eisenhower matrix

Time Blocking Method: assign each time block in your day to a task

Time blocking Templates (Daily, Weekly, Monthly) | Replicon

 

Setting S-M-A-R-T Goals: Set goals daily, weekly, and monthly. Short them by priority. Make sure the goals you set for yourself are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

Books in Library

Organizational Strategies

  • Organize your study space so you have everything you need in one location. Avoid anything that can be distracting.
  • Break your assignments down into smaller steps. Work on the easier assignments for each model before focusing on the bigger tasks. Organize course materials so its easily accessible.  
  • Keep and calendar or to-do-list. Make sure you check this daily. 
  • Create routines and stick to them

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Time Management & Organizational Tips

helpful tips - Deck The Walls

Clock with calendar, flat design icon of timetable 10290886 Vector Art at Vecteezy Manage your time wisely and organize your schedule so everything gets completed on time.  Find a system that helps you stay on track with all the demands of daily life, school, and work. Use a calendar or to-do-list to organize study times, reading times, upcoming deadlines, exams, working times, social events, etc. well in advance. Mark off activities and assignments as you complete them and adjust your schedule as needed when "life happens".

Clock with calendar, flat design icon of timetable 10290886 Vector Art at VecteezySet a dedicated study time for each day, make sure you allow time for yourself as well. Do your most demanding tasks during your most productive times of the day

Clock with calendar, flat design icon of timetable 10290886 Vector Art at Vecteezy Prioritize assignments, tasks, and events by priority. complete shorter, simpler to-do items, and then move on to larger projects or assignments but keep in mind due dates and time restrictions. 

Clock with calendar, flat design icon of timetable 10290886 Vector Art at Vecteezy Break material down into small chunks. Take a 5-minute stretch break once or twice an hour. Give new information a chance to sink in.

Clock with calendar, flat design icon of timetable 10290886 Vector Art at Vecteezy Try not to multitask. Focus on one assignment or task at a time. Focusing on one task at a time helps you deliver quality end results.

Clock with calendar, flat design icon of timetable 10290886 Vector Art at Vecteezy To help keep track of information take notes to remind you later. 

Online Tools for Organization and Time Management

Simple tools such as calendars or planners, notebooks or binders, sticky notes, etc., can help with time management and organization when navigating through online courses. Click the links below for different online tools you can use:

  • The Learning Toolbox is a free site that can help you improve in eight specific areas: advanced thinking, math, note-taking skills, organization, reading, study skills, test-taking skills and writing.
  • Schooltraq is an online digital planner that keeps due dates in check.
  • Evernote - tackle any project with your notes, tasks, and schedule all in one place.
  • Microsoft Office Lens is a powerful tool that turns your smartphone (iOS or Android) into a pocket scanner. It allows you to capture notes, documents, and whiteboards with your phone camera, then enhances the image by cropping, sharpening, and straightening it. The app can convert images to PDF, Word, or PowerPoint files, and save them to OneNote, OneDrive, or your local device.

Digital calendars

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