How to Be a
Good Online Learner

4. How do I manage my time to study online?

Online learning requires learners to be organized and to manage time wisely.

Develop a Study Plan

In order to be successful in your online studies, it is best to make a study plan.  This study plan will help you to determine when, where, and how you will study.  Below are some of the questions that you may want to answer in your study plan:

• When will I study?
• Where will I study? (home/library/computer center)
• How many hours a week can I commit to studying?
• What else do I have going on in my life?  How can I work around them?
• When will I look back at my study plan to see if it is working?

Your Learning Space

Before starting online learning, it is a good idea to set up a learning space.  Make sure that you have all materials and supplies needed, including your computer.  Keep your papers about your learning here.  Make sure that it is a comfortable and well-lit space.

If you aren't accessing your online learning at home, make sure that your learning materials and supplies are kept together. A bookbag or tote bag may help with keeping all of your things together and organized.

Getting Support

It is important for us all to be supported in our learning whether face-to-face or online.  Before beginning online learning, it is a good idea to talk to your family to let them know that you are planning to start learning online.  Let them know how long you will be involved and what you need from them.

You'll find that getting their support early in the game makes it that much easier for you to be a good learner.

Managing Your Time

If you have ever spent any amount of time online, you know that time seems to go much faster.  Before you know it, it's been three hours!

One important skill to learning online is learning to manage your time first.

Here is a list of tips for managing your time effectively so that you have time for all the things you want to do.

• Make a list. Create a checklist of things that you need to finish and check them off as they are completed.
  
  
• Set reminders. Set aside a certain amount of time for a specific task and then use an alarm to tell you when you have almost used up your time.  This will keep you focused on the task and will keep your attention from wandering while online.
  
  
• Don't try to do it all at once. It's ok to set aside some tasks for doing later.  Unless it is due that day, it can most likely be put off for another time.
  
  
• Get help. Don't feel that while you are learning online you have to do everything for everyone.  Part of the conversation with your family is to decide how responsibilities will be taken care of while you are learning online.

It's important that you also don't make too strict a schedule too far in advance. Making a weekly study schedule is one of the most effective ways to keep on top of your studying.  Look at your commitments for the week and plan your study time in between.

Motivation

When we sign up for online learning, we are excited at the beginning but as the weeks progress, motivation can decrease.  When this happens, remind yourself of the reason you enrolled in the first place.  Realize that you are doing this to make a better life for yourself.