Guest Author - Andrea Andrews

How to Manage Your Time with Distance Learning:
One reason to take a distance learning course is to avoid the challenges that a traditional classroom poses, one being rigid class schedule. One challenge to not having the solidified class schedule is time management and organization. Having taken quite a few distance education courses myself, I found that the most challenging part was organizing my time so that I completed the course successfully. Good time management and organization skills are essential to becoming a successful distance learner, so here are a few tips to help you improve these skills.

First, know what the requirements or expectations are for the class or course are prior to enrolling. Will the teacher require specific check in dates or times? Will there be mandatory discussion sections (usually in a chat room format)? Is it a self-paced course? These are all important questions to ask so you know what your obligations will be before you commit. If you know ahead of time that the class is self-paced and you tend to procrastinate, you may find it harder to organize your time. Or in another instance, if the class has required discussion sections and you have other commitments during those times, there may be a challenge there as well. Answering these questions ahead of time will set you up for success and you will know what you are about to embark upon.

Second, if a syllabus is provided, print it out. I can’t stress this fact enough. It is a simple sheet of paper but it holds the key to success. It will usually have the reading schedule, assignment schedule, any exams, and the grading criteria. I suggest printing out the syllabus and posting it near where you will be completing most of your work. If you will have a home office area, post it on the wall. Another creative idea for a laptop user would be to plaster it as the wallpaper on your desktop screen. Having these important dates in front of you will help you not lose track.

Third, make a schedule for reading, studying, and assignments, and stick to it! It can be tempting to put off reading a chapter or starting an assignment, but don’t succumb to the temptation. Based on the syllabus you have printed out, schedule out the number of pages you must read to complete the reading on time. If you know the dates of the tests, make sure you schedule ample time to study, and I mean study, not cram. Even though you are not required to physically go to a classroom for lecture or discussions, you still must schedule enough time for learning to take place. I recommend setting a specific time during the day, if your schedule permits. Unfortunately this doesn’t work for everyone, so you might have to work harder on making sure you are allotting enough time for the coursework to be completed.

Last, but definitely not least, communicate with your instructor. If you are having issues or challenges with the course, let your instructor know. That is what they are there for. Utilize the modes of communication that they have made available to you, whether it is a phone number or email address. Some of the instructors also teach in a traditional class setting, so if it is physically possible, you may be able to set up an appointment with them to discuss your situation. An instructor would much rather you ask questions and communicate, then not pass the course, or even worse, drop the course. Use these experts and their guidance to the fullest; it is what they have dedicated their professional lives to.
1. Know the course expectations
2. Print out the syllabus, or have it readily available
3. Schedule out time to ensure you can complete the coursework.
4. Communicate with the instructor.

Following these simple guidelines will set you up for successfully completing your distance education course or program. If distance learning was easy, then everyone would be doing it, so it will take discipline and dedication – but you can be successful!