Distance learners normally face more demands on their time than other learners. Often the reason that someone has enrolled in an online course is because they have work and family commitments that can’t be ignored and thus they must fit education into their already busy lives. For the distance learner, structured, effective time management is of the utmost importance. Without the ability to effectively manage their time many students will not be able to complete their online courses in the way they had hoped. Here some suggestion to help you make the most out of every studying minute that is available to you. One of the most important first steps in managing your study time effectively is to know what is expected of you. Take the time to read the course syllabus and have a clear understanding of what assignments you will be expected to complete and how many tests there are in the course. Included in this information should be the marking system and how each assignment and exam is weighted in the marking scheme. If this information is not clear to you, take the time to get in touch with someone who can explain it to you. A disadvantage that is unique to distance learners is that they don’t have the ability to stop and ask the teacher questions at the end of a class. It is crucial that distance learners know how to contact their teacher or teaching assistant in the event that they have questions about the course. When you begin studying for the course try to make a schedule of how you will spend your study hours on a week to week basis. This study plan should include achievable, realistic goals. Most distance learners will have family or work commitments so they must take care when creating a study schedule and sticks to it in order to best manage their time. Things like reading one chapter or thirty pages a day of your textbook is a good measurable goal. Don’t leave your hardest or most disliked subjects to the end of your study time. Try to do the things you least enjoy first and then reward yourself with the work you love. The lack of a teacher and fellow students can cause some students to become complacent and procrastinate. Don’t leave things to the last minute! This will cause you undo stress and may affect the result you achieve in the course. It’s always a good idea to submit your assignments well before deadlines so try to plan your time accordingly. In some cases, when there are a lot of people taking an online course, servers may become jammed and you may be unable to electronically submit your assignment on time. Always try to have your assignments ready in advance to avoid any last minute computer problems and loss of marks for late submissions. Remember that time management is a very important skill when you are taking your high school diploma online. Online courses require organized self-directed learners who can manage every free minute of their time. Learning to manage your time effectively will guarantee you the results you hope for.
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