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In our busy, face-paced world today, where many people attempt to juggle multiple responsibilities, it can be very easy to lose sight of what is important and how to keep “all the balls in the air” simultaneously. Being able to prioritize your various responsibilities will be imperative to success in your online classes.
1. Why am I taking an online class or program?
Once you have answered this question, write it down and post it in a prominent place in your home, office, or other places that you study. This will keep you focused on your ultimate goal.
2. What do I have to give up in my current situation to make time for my studies?
Think through this very carefully. Be realistic in what you can give up, based on your current responsibilities. Also, know that you can shift what you give up each semester. For example, one semester, you may give up certain family or work obligations. The following semester, you could take back those items, but give up a volunteer responsibility. By trading off on your various activities, you can still keep a well-rounded life, but not do everything all the time.
3. Where can I get help?
Sometimes people fail to prioritize because they don’t understand topics or concepts in their courses and may need help beyond the course instructor. It becomes easy to fill your time with other work to avoid admitting that you need help. When you get your course materials, review them thoroughly and identify where you think you may need help. Try to find people that you know (family, friends, work colleagues, etc.) who may be able to help when you get to that part of the course. Also, utilize your fellow classmates to assist you with understanding course content. In some cases, you may want to hire a tutor to help you through a particular course.
1. Don’t get bogged down with details of small assignments.
While it is important to learn as much as possible in all classes, be sure to keep the time spent on assignments in accord with the value that is placed on your final grade for that assignment.
2. Keep your team on track for group work.
Know that if you have team assignments in your class (most classes do) that you will not have as much control in prioritizing your work and will need to fit into the team schedule. However, do not let the team get you completely off-track. Continue to work on your individual assignments as the team assignments/class discussions progress.
3. Learn the fine art of re-prioritizing.
Just because you set up a schedule and have everything prioritized in your life, doesn’t mean that you can’t change it. It is important to know when changes need to occur, but also to have the courage to make those necessary changes.
4. Identify the things that you tend to procrastinate about and make them your highest priority.
Typically these are things that we don’t like to do or we don’t feel we do well. Once you have those things done, it is amazing how quickly some of your other work can be accomplished.
5. Schedule time to plan and prioritize.
Some people believe that prioritization just happens, but it rarely does. If you spend 5-10 minutes each day, prioritizing your schedule for the next day and 30 minutes prioritizing your responsibilities for the week, you will be pleasantly surprised how much smoother things will run.
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