As someone who is in full-time employment and still having to pursue an online course, I can tell you firsthand that effective time management is a skill that you cannot afford to lack. It is absolutely essential if you need to succeed in both your professional life and your online studies. Most people who are in full-time employment assume that after taking an online course, which comes with convenience, they have it all figured out. However, without effective time management, it will be difficult for you to complete the course and it might even affect your performance at work. Here are some practical tips that you can employ to achieve balance.
The freedom associated with online courses comes with its unique set of challenges. While flexible, in that you can watch lectures late at night while in bed, the flexibility can quickly turn into procrastination particularly if you’re not careful enough.
My advice? Treat your online course like a physical class or your job. Set specific “work hours” studying and stick to them as much as possible. If you can, make use of a digital calendar such as the Google one to block out time for readings, lectures, and assignments. Besides, do not forget to schedule in buffer time and breaks, things often tend to take longer than you might have expected.
Pro tip: At the start of each module or semester, ensure you input all your exam times and assignment due dates. This can help you to plan accordingly since you can spot potential crunch periods early enough.
Alternatively, if you’re short on time, you can pay someone to do your online course for you. Nonetheless, this option comes with various ethical issues, which you should be aware of.
All tasks are not created equal. Many people learn this the hard way. As an example, when I was pursuing my Master’s degree, I spent hours trying to perfect a bibliography, while I had completely neglected a 10-page essay that was due in 2 days.
Here’s what you can do to prioritise tasks accordingly by using this matrix:
For student life, this might look like:
If there’s one thing I have learned through experience, large projects can feel overwhelming, and the outcome is usually procrastination for most people. When pursuing my masters, which was online, I had to complete a 20,000-word dissertation, which made me nearly have a breakdown. I consulted my professor, whose wisdom helped me to complete the dissertation. He simply referred to the old adage: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. This changed my perspective.
The secret is to break big tasks into smaller, bite size chunks that are manageable. For instance, instead of ‘write dissertation”, try:
Suddenly, that mountain looks a lot more climbable.
Distractions are a huge one particularly when your classroom the same place you Netflix and chill. Most people think that they can multitasks, which is usually not the case. Research shows that every time you switch tasks, it takes around 23 minutes to get back to full concentration as you were before.
Here are some strategies you can employ to deal with distractions:
This time management method has been a game-changer for me. Here’s how it works:
I find this helps me stay focused and prevents burnout. Plus, it’s amazing how much you can accomplish in focused 25-minute bursts!
You can easily fall into the trap of thinking that every spare minute that you have should be dedicated to study. However, the truth is that burning the candle at both ends is a sure path to burnout, and the outcome may be detrimental to your personal and professional life. Thus, you need to ensure that you get sufficient sleep, eat well, and stay active as much as you can. Your brain will thank you.
You can take care of yourself properly by scheduling “non-negotiable” time for meal preparation, exercise, and catching up with friends. Remember, your focus should be on creating a sustainable study habit.
Technology can make your life easier. There are numerous tools and applications designed to assist students like yourself stay organised. Here are some of my personal Favorites:
Don’t be afraid to experiment to discover which one works best for you.
Never be ashamed of asking for help. The earlier you know this the better. Whether it’s forming a study group with classmates, reaching out to your tutor, or using professional academic support services, don’t try to do it alone when you’re overwhelmed.
This is where online course completion services come in handy. While it’s crucial to maintain academic integrity, these services can provide valuable support when you’re feeling overwhelmed. They can help with everything from proofreading and editing to providing guidance on research methods and essay structure.
For instance, when I was struggling to balance a major work project with a looming assignment deadline, I used a reputable service to help me organise my research and create a solid outline. This gave me the boost I needed to complete the assignment on time without compromising on quality.
However, it’s extremely important to use these services ethically and in moderation. They should supplement your learning, not replace it.
Finally, remember that time management is a skill that takes practice. What works for one person might not work for another. At the end of each week or month, take some time to reflect on what’s working and what isn’t. Be willing to adjust your strategies as needed.
Balancing work, study, and life as an online student is no small feat. There will be times when it feels like you’re barely keeping your head above water. But with some solid time, management strategies and a willingness to seek help when needed, you can not only survive but thrive in your online learning journey.
Remember, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. So be kind to yourself, celebrate your wins (no matter how small), and keep pushing forward. You’ve got this!
Sandra holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Sydney and has over a decade of experience in academic writing and editing. Her expertise spans across humanities and social sciences, with a particular focus on critical analysis and research methodologies. Sandra's work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, and she has co-authored two books on contemporary Australian literature.
