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As many of us know all too well, time management is deceptively difficult to master. Ostensibly, it seems it should be pretty easy — but, as we realize when we find ourselves deep in the midst of a project, maintaining a high level of efficiency and sticking to a precise schedule can be tricky.

The importance of time management for students cannot be overstated, but for online learners trying to balance school, work, family, and personal obligations, the task is often a daunting one. To help make it simpler and more attainable, so that scholars can work more productively, let’s examine various time management tips, strategies, best practices, and tools that can quickly be adopted as good habits.

Prepare for Success

Set up a dedicated study space

Learning from home on your own schedule allows for great flexibility, but it comes with the challenge of finding an optimal workspace. The comfort of your sofa makes it an attractive option, but it’s also strongly associated with leisure and television-viewing in your mind, which can make it difficult to get work done in that spot.

Having a designated quiet study space is an essential part of all successful online learning strategies. It gives you a clear separation between your school and personal lives, reducing distractions and allowing you to maintain a productive mindset. Even if you live in a studio or one-bedroom apartment and have to create a makeshift study area with a portable divider and a foldable desk, it will help you concentrate better.

Particularly in situations like that, a pair of headphones can go a long way — especially if they have noise-canceling capability. Wherever you learn, make sure you have a reliable internet connection, so you won’t have to deal with many interruptions or a lot of lag when working on your computer.

Routinely practice self-care

Fatigue, illness, and negative feelings such as stress and worry can all lead to procrastination. Even when you’re not putting off your schoolwork, these factors make it difficult for you to concentrate and be productive, significantly increasing the amount of time it takes to complete assignments. Considering the great importance of time management for students, it’s crucial to take care of yourself by eating nutritious meals, exercising on a regular basis, and getting enough sleep, which will improve your focus, energy level, and mood.

Meditation is another practice that makes time management easier by refreshing you mentally and physically, allowing you to stay calm, increasing your awareness, and expanding your capacity to resist distractions. It reduces stress and anxiety, so that your mind is less preoccupied with worries and better able to devote its resources to focusing on the task at hand.

By making you more aware of your thoughts and behaviors, meditation allows you to make fewer mistakes, which means you save the time that would ordinarily be spent correcting those errors. It also enhances willpower and boosts energy levels, increasing your ability to stay motivated and committed to your goals, even when the days are long and distracting or difficult thoughts and stimuli are present.

Perhaps most importantly, meditation helps you be more mindful in the present moment, rather than losing time as your thoughts vacillate between the past and future. The practice trains you to completely focus on whatever you are doing at each point in time, even if it’s just a mundane task, so that you develop great skill in quieting your mind, observing yourself, and giving your full attention to each action in the moment.

Identify & Minimize Time-Wasting Activities & Distractions

Determining the behaviors, actions, and external factors that cause minutes and hours to be wasted, and then greatly reducing the time spent on those things, may be the most important of all time management tips.

Resist the pull of your phone

For many people, the source of the problem is their smartphones, which are almost always close by and provide instant access to endless distractions. If you’re tempted by Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube, avoid getting sucked into time-consuming scrolling or video-watching sessions by turning off notifications and logging out of the apps on your phone.

Simply having to enter your password each time you want to access your social media feeds or watch “just one” video can be enough to make you stop for a second, reflecting on whether or not you should be spending time on that activity at the moment.

As a second layer of protection against time-wasting, you can make your passwords more complex and not commit them to memory; rather, write them down in a notebook somewhere, so that you have to get up and go find them before you can log in and view or post content. Unless you’re powerfully motivated to engage with social media or YouTube at that time, you’re unlikely to do that, which means you’ll successfully stay on task instead.

And remember that it’s not just the apps on your phone that can interrupt you and impair your concentration and productivity: receiving calls and texts can be just as disruptive. Consider setting up calls to go straight to voicemail and hiding alerts for text messages during your study sessions.

Turn off the TV

It’s well known that you shouldn’t indulge in televised entertainment while you’re supposed to be studying or working — but how about the news or an educational show? It’s easy to rationalize leaving the TV on in those cases: you tell yourself that it’s just there in the background; you’re just casually listening, and there’s a good chance you’ll learn something valuable.

But dividing your attention between coursework and TV is a recipe for wasted time and lost productivity. And while any TV program will increase your level of distraction, having the news on may actually harm your time management further, due to the amount of anxiety-inducing content to which you’ll be exposed. Keep the two activities separate: for example, watch TV as a reward during a scheduled rest period after an hour or two of hard work.

Avoid multitasking

Doing two or more tasks concurrently sounds great in theory, especially to busy online college students — after all, what could be more efficient than that, right? But in reality, the end result of this approach is usually that each task takes longer to complete and is not done as well.

As the American Psychological Association has reported, studies have found that multitasking, especially when done to a heavy degree, has a detrimental impact on productivity. Our brains were designed to concentrate on one activity at a time, and that’s how we typically do our best work.

Structure Your Study Time

Time block

One of the most successful online learning strategies for time management, time blocking involves segmenting your day into chunks, typically by the hour or half-hour, and dedicating each chunk to a work-related task or break. This technique works well because it is straightforward and flexible: should you need more time to complete a task, you can simply devote a second block to it and adjust your schedule for the rest of the day accordingly. It’s also an effective way to establish and maintain a study routine from day to day, which can be especially challenging for those who work from home.

To prevent boredom due to following the same schedule for many days, you can divide bigger, more time-consuming projects into smaller blocks and fit other tasks and short breaks in between them. Make sure that your breaks feature a healthy balance of rest and fun, which can sometimes be combined in the same activity, such as a leisurely nature walk.

Get work done before deadlines

Stay well ahead of deadlines as you’re studying or doing projects. This is especially important for partner or group assignments in which you have to work with multiple people to coordinate meetings and contributions. Often, you don’t know exactly how long the work is going to take, so don’t fall prey to procrastination and be forced to rush at the end.

Pretend that the deadline is a different date significantly earlier than the real one, and keep yourself on pace to complete the work by that day. Then, if the assignment takes longer than anticipated, you have given yourself a buffer and don’t need to stress or stay up all night to finish in time.

Pick the best time to study

Most students have higher levels of energy and motivation during specific times of the day or night. Perhaps you are most focused and inspired early in the morning after a cup of coffee or two; or maybe you find that you can get work done more effectively late in the evenings, once the other stressors and obligations of the day are behind you.

Whenever it is, find that window of greatest alertness and cognitive functioning, and try to get your most difficult tasks done during that time; save the easier assignments for those periods when you feel your mental acuity and energy waning.

Use Time Management Tools to Your Advantage

Get organized

There are myriad organizational tools available to help you with time management. 1Password provides a simple method of storing, managing, and using strong passwords, enabling you to log into websites and securely fill out forms with just one click.

With Evernote, you can keep your notes, to-do list, and schedule all in one convenient place. Additionally, create and assign tasks with deadlines, flags, and reminders to ensure everything gets done on time. The resource also gives you the ability to scan vital documents to eliminate clutter and find records and communications more quickly.

Another effective tool to keep you organized is RescueTime, which helps you find periods of time in between scheduled tasks and meetings when you can fully focus and get work done. Its recommendations are tailored based on your agenda and the daily focus goals you indicate. The program also keeps track of how much time you have left in the current task or meeting and offers insights and coaching to help you improve your time management skills.

Plan

A creative resource for visual brainstorming, MindNode assists you in capturing your thoughts, organizing them, and transforming them into a clear mind map. You can utilize various themes and styles to match your preferences and easily keep related thoughts and details connected. MindNode also lets you keep track of your progress on various tasks.

Pocket ensures you can stay focused on the assignment at hand without missing out on the other things you come across along the way. This tool allows you to save and curate articles, videos, and stories from any publication, webpage, or app for later consumption whenever you have the time. Content is accessible both online and offline on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.

With ZenDay, you have access to a calendar and to-do list featuring a three-dimensional timeline, instead of the traditional vertical list format. Tasks “float” within the interface, and ZenDay conveniently and automatically reschedules them into open time slots in your agenda. The program also uses a color-coded system and changes the hues of tasks that are nearly due or overdue, so you can easily keep track of your priorities and act on them.

Be productive

Try brain.fm for a unique approach to getting in the zone. This resource uses science to create music that affects your brain in ways that support greater productivity. It utilizes technology to promote strong neural phase-locking for more focused, coordinated cognition, while removing the distractions in the sound.

If you’re often drawn by the siren call of websites unrelated to your work, Cold Turkey may be a good solution. It gives you the ability to block everything from particular sites and applications to virtually the whole internet. Once put in place, its blockades are next to impossible to remove until the designated time period is over.

Are you a fan of the pomodoro technique? This is the practice of studying in fairly short bursts of 25-30 minutes, using a buzzer or alarm to alert you to the end of each session and then taking a short break of two to three minutes before starting the next one. Once you’ve completed four cycles, you take a longer break to refresh yourself further. The rationale is that the sessions are long enough to let you get some work done but not so long that they feel tiring, overwhelming, or unpleasant. If this sounds appealing, try focus booster, which puts the technique to digital use, offering insightful time tracking and helping you stay laser-focused to work efficiently for 25-minute stretches. View your progress and rhythm on the dashboard to help you improve over time.

Schedule

With Any.do, you can organize your tasks, lists, and reminders in one intuitive app that will sync this content across your devices. With its flexible calendar and smart reminders, including location-based notifications, you can reliably keep track of all work and personal events and obligations in the same space. Additionally, the app integrates seamlessly with other calendars, such as Google, iCloud, and Outlook.

Take time-tracking to the next level with Toggl, a tool that offers a multitude of ways to achieve that goal. One-click timers work across laptop, desktop, and mobile platforms, with automatic syncing. Background tracking uses a timeline to track time spent on every application you engage with for more than 10 seconds. Calendar integrations let you assimilate your other calendars, e.g., Google or Outlook, into the Toggl app and start tracking time for events scheduled on those. The resource also gives you insightful, customizable reports.

For partner or team assignments, Avaza is a great way to collaborate on, manage, and discuss projects. The tool allows you to quickly switch from Kanban to Gantt to List views; visualize, filter, and group tasks in one or multiple projects; and complete budgeting and billing flexibly. Avaza also makes it easy to manage the resources dedicated to each project and offers drag-and-drop scheduling and editing of tasks.

Take Control of Your Future

Now that you understand more about successful online learning strategies and the importance of time management for students, are you ready to use these tips, techniques, and tools to further your education and advance your career?

Explore Concordia University St. Paul’s online programs here and discover the opportunities that await you. With associate, bachelor, and master degree programs, as well as certificates, CSP offers something for every learner, wherever they may be on their educational path.

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For busy people trying to juggle work and family obligations, the thought of getting a college education may feel overwhelming or even unattainable. But more and more students are finding peace of mind in the knowledge that this problem has a viable solution: online learning.

“Online education isn’t only for folks who are super well-versed in technology or got straight As when they were in previous programs; it’s not even just for those who have prior experience with college,” says Corey Long, Associate Director of Retention, who works with the advising team at Concordia University, St. Paul and has served in the higher education field for the past seven years. “We can definitely work with and support any student.”

Long’s considerable experience in the online learning space has given her a lot of insight into how to be successful as an online student. Below, we share some of this wisdom, covering the strategies, techniques, tips, and traits that can aid prospective college learners in their goal to not only survive online classes, but to excel in them.

What Are the Keys to Online Success?

Being Proficient in Basic Computer Skills

While one need not be an IT wiz to thrive in online schooling, it does help to have some experience and familiarity with technology. Long explains that it’s not necessary to know the ins and outs of a specific learning management system (LMS), but it’s useful to know the basics of using a computer and internet-based programs and tools, as well as to be able to follow directions well.

Using Resources and Asking for Help

Another part of knowing how to be successful as an online student is actively using available resources, including tech support, advisors, and instructors. “Online learning can feel really isolating sometimes,” Long notes. “We often see that the learners who need the most assistance aren’t asking for it, even though it’s available. It’s crucial not to get lost in the abyss, so to speak, and instead, reach out and ask for help. There are all kinds of resources here for students.”

If scholars don’t understand an assignment, they should tell their professors and ask for clarity. If they need more intensive help, tutoring is accessible. Perhaps they’re unsure of a policy — they ought to ask their advisor for an explanation.

In all of these cases, in addition to allowing students to get the support they need, the interaction with other people will allow them to feel a greater sense of community and know that they’re not alone on their journey.

Forming Study Groups

If online learners want to find study buddies, they’d be wise to reach out to their peers in their classes and schedule some time to work together. “I’ve even heard of students who live in the same city meeting in person to study once a week,” Long reports. “The fact that it’s online school doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for students to physically gather, especially if they live in or near the city where their college’s campus is located. And, as we know from our research, that tends to be the case.”

Like interacting with instructors, tutors, and advisors — but typically, to an even greater degree — being part of a study group lets students feel that they belong to a community. When they can meet their fellow learners in person, even just occasionally, that feeling grows stronger.

Having a Good Support System

“School is going to take up a lot of time for a student,” Long says. “One class can be anywhere from 10 – 20 hours a week, so you’ve gotta have folks that can give you the space and time you need. If you’ve got a big family, have them give you a couple hours a day for you to do school work. Friends can help support you as well, if you need to talk through a tricky assignment or you need someone to bring you food during the week.”

All of that can make a big difference in a college student’s studies. Everyone needs support from time to time; humbly recognizing that and then putting said support to productive use is among the most successful online learning strategies one can employ.

Preparing Effectively for Classes

The importance of physical and mental readiness cannot be overstated in an examination of how to be successful as an online student. “Making sure to do prep work before classes start can help a lot,” Long adds. “Getting all textbooks ordered a minimum of two weeks before classes start, or earlier if possible, is best. Students should also make sure to register for courses as soon as possible, so they’re not stuck scrambling to sign up. And then, a week before classes start, it’s a good idea to log in, take a look at the syllabus, and get a sense of what each class is going to look like.”

Long also strongly recommends that students talk with a financial aid planner well ahead of time to ensure they have all of their billing pieces set up. By taking care of all of these things in advance, students won’t have to rush to do them when the term starts; instead, they’ll just be able to focus on their classes.

Being Self-Motivated

Discipline, drive, and the willingness to hold oneself accountable are standout characteristics of a person who understands how to be successful as an online student. “Folks who are pretty self-motivated and don’t necessarily need to be told what to do all the time are well-suited to online learning,” Long states. “It’s pretty self-paced and asynchronous most of the time. So, being able to take a syllabus, build your own study schedule, set intermediary goals, and work towards completing assignments can really help you avoid the problem of getting to the last minute and still having a lot left to do.”

When it comes to successful online learning strategies, there’s arguably nothing more crucial than staying inspired by remembering the reasons why one is working hard to complete an online learning program. It may be to earn a big promotion at the office, land a better job at a different company, transition to a new career altogether, or show one’s children how to follow through and persevere in the pursuit of their goals and dreams.

Getting an education is a big investment of time and effort, so being able to mentally return to that “why” will help significantly. “That’s what we on the advising team like to do in our first conversations with students,” Long says. “We dig into why they’re going back to school, so that, when times get tough and they’re buried in tests and assignments, we can remind them.”

Developing a Growth-Oriented Mindset

Online education is a process, and it takes time to become at ease with it. So, having the right mentality regarding that is another one of the most successful online learning strategies. “Students need to be okay with being a little uncomfortable at the beginning, knowing that learning is a skill and that it takes a little time to flex those mental muscles and get used to the routine. So, understanding that a greater level of comfort will come and just being willing to stick with their studies are keys to success.”

Especially if people haven’t been in school for 10 or 15 years, which is often the case with online learners, nervousness is quite common in the beginning. But as long as they are open to taking advice, adapting as they learn, and sometimes adjusting their expectations, they will benefit greatly from the growth they experience in the educational process.

Planning and Managing Time Well

One of the most important parts of how to be successful as an online student is knowing how much time one has available to devote to one’s studies — and how to efficiently divide up and manage that time.

“It’s helpful for students to have a good understanding of what they will have going on in their lives for the two to three years in their programs,” Long explains. “It’s hard to plan that far out. But having a sense of how busy they’re going to be and how long it’s going to take to get all their schoolwork done is good; that will allow them to strike that balance between taking a full course load all at once or doing it a little more slowly and spacing it out.

And that’s part of the beauty of online learning: students can sometimes have that flexibility. Maybe when they start out, they have the time to do two courses at once; then life happens, and they can adjust their schedules to decrease the number of classes, take a break, or do whatever they need to in order to fit what they have going on outside of school.”

In some online education programs, the curriculum is set, and students follow it and take all the same classes in order as part of a cohort. However, there are other programs that afford learners more freedom of choice in terms of which courses they take at which time. In these cases, one of the other successful online learning strategies is planning one’s schedule in the proper way to end up with the right mix of general education and major requirements each semester. That way, students ensure that they are keeping track of and meeting all of the criteria for their programs, while keeping their workload manageable.

Experimenting With Various Techniques

“Different study methods are going to work well for different students,” Long states. “One person might do really well taking lots of handwritten notes and re-watching full lectures, while another might do better just listening and reading in spurts of 10 minutes here and there as they’re absorbing information.”

She recommends that learners try out a few things and see what works best for them personally. And if they’re struggling, they should talk to their instructors and explain that they have experimented with those techniques or strategies, but they’re still not grasping the material. Then, their teachers can either assist them in using those methods more effectively or suggest alternate methods that may be more conducive to their understanding, based on the teachers’ experience in seeing what has worked for other students in the past.

Studying in a Dedicated Space

No discussion of successful online learning strategies would be complete without a mention of the benefit of creating a space designated specifically for studying. “Even if it’s just a corner in a room where a student has their desk, books, and notes, it really helps to have that space to get in the zone,” says Long. “It makes sure that their brain is in schoolwork mode whenever they are in that spot.”

Having headphones, especially if they’re noise-canceling, is a great way to drown out distractions and stay focused. For students who live in studios or one-bedroom apartments, it might be best to set up a portable standing divider to keep their eyes from straying towards the television or other visual distractions during study time.

Celebrating Small Victories

“Earning a college degree requires spending a big chunk of time concentrated on that work,” Long remarks. “If a student is just focused on graduation as their goal, that’s going to feel really far away, so it’s important to celebrate the little wins along the way, too.” The first paper, first test, and first course finished are all great little milestones to recognize. Doing so will enable learners to feel a continual sense of pride in their achievements throughout the duration of their studies, which will help motivate them during challenging times.

Taking Care of Oneself

In her own college experience, after a couple of years, Long learned that it was really important to schedule non-school time as well. “Even if it was just two hours to sit and read a book for fun, or veg out and watch Netflix, giving myself those little self-care breaks was critical.” She advises that all online students do the same to avoid getting burnt out from hard work and stress.

Long also instituted a rule for herself that every learner can probably get behind: “I had a strict ‘no-homework Friday’ policy. So, the rest of the week was a lot more school, and after I finished classes on Friday, that was my evening to do whatever I wanted.” It also extends the weekends, which is never a bad thing.

Ready to Succeed as an Online College Student?

If you’re prepared to take the next step, explore Concordia University, St. Paul’s online programs. With associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as certificates available in various fields, CSP has an option to suit you, wherever you are in your journey.

For more information on how to be a successful online student, explore our related Online Learning Guide.

About Corey Long

Corey Long manages the online academic advising team at Concordia University, St. Paul. She graduated with degrees in history and political science from the University of Louisville and has worked in higher education for over seven years. Prior to entering this field, Corey worked in the nonprofit realm, focusing on the areas of youth development and immigrant and refugee education.

Through direct work with students at all levels, she has gained a strong understanding of academic advising, student interaction, and engagement, and the role education can play in improving lives. Her passion for continuous learning and development stands at the forefront of her day-to-day work with students.