5 Tips to be a successful online student

   Time management is a common problem for many online students. It can be hard to push yourself to study and get homework done when there aren’t other students around you doing the same. Many online students have jobs and families competing for their time as well, which just adds to the difficulty of getting down to business on your online homework.

   Here are some time management and study tips any student should implement, but that are especially useful for online students with a lot on their plates:

1. Set aside specific hours for schoolwork:

   As an online student, most of your classes and school activities can be done at the time of your choosing, but you’ll do yourself a favor if you stick to a fairly strict schedule. One way to stop yourself from procrastinating is to set aside specific hours for schoolwork every single day. Think of this time as an appointment that you can’t miss or you’re part time job. Once you get into the habit of studying during that time slot, it will be a lot easier to say no to other activities and recreation.

2. Use various study strategies:

   Engaging all of your senses while you study will help you remember what you learn. You can optimize your learning by actively choosing to use different study styles to learn about each new subject that comes up in your courses. Since online classes will likely only engage your visual and auditory senses, it is up to you to devise creative ways to use your other senses for learning. Writing flashcards on uniquely textured paper, or lighting incense while you study, can create sensory associations with the facts you’re learning, which will help you recall them later.

3. Avoid distractions like Social Networking or TV noise:

   While you’re studying, it is possible to get into a state psychologists call “flow,” which happens when you’re completely focused and immersed in the activity you’re doing. Some of your best work can be done while you’re in a state of flow, but distractions like the buzz of a phone or a TV show in the background stop you from achieving it. When you set a schedule for school, make sure that this is actually college time, not computer time. Ban yourself from social networking sites, such as Facebook when you’re supposed to be working. If you intend to spend a long time working online, you can reward yourself with little breaks every few hours, but otherwise stick to only using the computer for activities related to your classes. Minimizing interruptions during your studying time will increase your efficiency and learning.

5. Ask for help as soon as you need it:

   Just like typical college professors, online college professors are more than happy to help students who feel confused or are struggling with their schoolwork. Most professors, however, won’t go out of their way to ask you if you need help. Don’t be afraid to speak up–and do so as soon as you start feeling unsure about a concept or lesson. If you wait until the end of the semester, you won’t be prepared for tests and the confusion will snowball until it’s unmanageable.

Shannon