July 29, 2024
Many high school and college students now opt to complete online classes during the summer months at their own pace. While one might think that this presents greater ease, courses may be condensed (to accommodate the shorter semester) and demand more reading, projects, and independent study. “Asynchronous” means that the classes do not have to be attended at a certain time of day, and one might complete the coursework at a self-selected time, date, and place (the student still needs to manage and be aware of deadlines imposed by the professor). Online courses offer flexibility, but also create challenges for those who have executive functioning deficits—managing time, staying organized, inhibiting impulses, and remaining disciplined amidst distractions (i.e. friends are getting together, opportunities to take part in seasonal activities, checking social media, and so on).
The chart above summarizes how to prioritize daily activities. We choose to do those activities that are more enjoyable or easier first. This may feel better, but causes more difficulties in the long run when we run out of time to do essential, time-sensitive tasks. Procrastinating or waiting until the last minute may cause increased stress, greater carelessness in work product, and (perhaps) even greater task avoidance.
Prioritize Daily Actions:
A: Must Do Assignments or Responsibilities! Prioritize these tasks as they need to be done first and are time-sensitive. Schedule these responsibilities first, even if they are less desirable. Break down lengthy assignments into smaller, more manageable blocks. Plan to complete the work when you are most energetic and alert.
If there are many A activities, then those can also be prioritized: A1, A2, A3, and so on. Absolutely DO NOT do the B activities first.
B: These are activities or assignments that can be scheduled, hold importance, but can wait. Put them on your calendar, daily schedule, or whatever system you choose to manage tasks. The biggest difference between the A and B activities is the time sensitivity or deadlines imposed. ALWAYS recognize the important, urgent tasks first before those that can wait.
C: Activities in this box carry personal importance, but may be less urgent. For example, getting together with friends is important but not necessarily essential if there are work tasks that need to be completed and should not be postponed. Think of C as “wants” but not immediate “needs.” I may want to go grocery shopping, but if I have food to eat, then this activity falls in the C column.
D: When a task is neither important nor urgent, it belongs in the D box. Catching up on the latest YouTube videos fits in this column. You can schedule D items when there are no activities left in A, B, or C. Difficulties with time management are often because of doing D activities in place of A or B. Do you “dead scroll” through Facebook or Instagram? Those belong in D.
Avoid "Multitasking:"
Many students attempt to engage in multiple activities simultaneously, such as listening to a required reading online while writing a paper or completing a project. However, effective multitasking is a myth. Dr. Earl Miller, a neuroscientist at MIT, states, “Our brains are not wired to multitask well. When people think they are multitasking, they are actually just switching from one task to another very rapidly, and every time they do, there’s a cognitive cost” (Observer) . This process, known as divided attention, involves focusing on multiple tasks or ideas at once, but it often leads to decreased efficiency and poor performance. To maximize productivity and learning quality, it is crucial to concentrate solely on your studies without distractions from other tasks. Multitasking can significantly reduce the quality of your learning and increase the time required to complete tasks.
Space Out Your Studying
Avoid cramming by spreading out your study sessions over several days. This approach helps improve retention and understanding of the material. As mentioned, break large, overwhelming tasks into smaller chunks.
Ask yourself:
“What will take the most time to complete?”
“Do I know the deadlines of each assignment?”
“How much time will I need to allow to complete each assignment?”
“If I come across something I don’t know, how much more time will I need to get the information I need?”
Practice Time Management
Decide what type of planner, calendar, or list you need to keep track of your assignments and stick to it. Make sure that you take the time to write everything down, whether it is using paper-and-pencil or a computer-generated app. If you don’t record and regularly review tasks, it’s easy enough to forget something. Take the time either first thing in the morning and/or before bed to examine the day’s schedule. I recommend color-coding A, B, C, and D items to create greater awareness of priorities.
It is important to allow sufficient time for urgent tasks. When blocking off time on your schedule, don’t forget to include travel time and time for scheduled breaks (refer to my CogBlog on using the Pomodoro technique for time management). In order to schedule time periods correctly, estimate the time a task should take and then match that number against the actual time the job took. Often, we underestimate time for challenging, less familiar activities. Before initiating an activity, decide the level of difficulty, familiarity with the content, and understanding of the actual assignment.
Planning is an essential executive functioning skill when developing a system to improve efficiency.
Ask yourself:
"Did I make a list and remember to bring all the materials I need before heading to my study spot, like the library or a coffee shop?"
"Am I working in a place where I won’t get easily distracted?"
"Am I distracted by social activities or basic needs like hunger?"
"How will I know when my work is complete and ready to submit?"
"What study methods work best for me? Do I need someone to keep me accountable?"
Conclusion
Successfully managing your time and study habits in an online learning environment can be challenging, especially with the allure of more enjoyable distractions. However, by setting clear goals, avoiding multitasking, spacing out your study sessions, and optimizing your study environment, you can enhance your productivity and learning experience. Remember to focus solely on your studies without letting other tasks divide your attention. If you need more support with time management and completing your course requirements, Cogmotion Learning can help!
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