I’ve said it before I’ll say it again, two things you need to be successful as an online student, especially one who is also professionally employed, is good scheduling and time management skills. The thing that I use to meet the rigors of academia is routine. That’s right, kind of like your grandparents, I have a certain time I get up everyday, a certain time I arrive at work, a certain time I finish and workout and lastly a certain time that I do school work. Without a routine there would be no possible way for me to get everything done that I do in a day, which quite honestly is more considerable than you may imagine. So if you want to be successful as an online student I suggest, in fact I strongly urge you to get used to the idea of conforming to a routine. Get acquainted with the fact that spontaneity, which has been referred to as the spice of life by some, will all but vanish. That’s right, if my schedule were an entrée it would be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Quick, efficient, gets the job done but is hardly anything to get excited about.
So for those of you wondering how to adopt a new routine to a smarter, thinner, sexier yet more boring version of yourself (remember there’s no spontaneity) follow these simple tips:
1.) Sit down and list all the things you have to do throughout the week, one day at a time and list them according to day.
2.) Next place a time next to each thing and move things around until it is reasonable. Note, you need to prioritize, do not reduce study time to increase T.V. time. T.V. is a privilege not a necessity.
3.) Wear a watch, know where you need to be and what you need to do and when. Live by time and schedule new responsibilities and tasks around your otherwise busy schedule.
4.) Adhere to your schedule. If you are supposed to be at work at 7:00AM then by God you be at work by 7:00AM. Being late in the morning can cause you to be late in the afternoon like a domino effect. “Tic-toc and you don’t stop” as Everlast would say. You know, Everlast. What? You don’t know Everlast? The rapper? No? House of Pain? The song Jump Around? Ringing any bells? Never mind.
5.) When it’s time to relax, relax. Don’t over commit and yes you need to schedule time to relax. Without doing so you cannot have routine.
After about 2 to 3 weeks of living like this it becomes 2nd nature and you will be amazed the amount of stuff you can fit in a day. Also, one last hint, if you didn’t schedule it the answer is by default “no” unless there is a compelling need to break routine, like a trip to the emergency room or to the Betty Ford Clinic for addiction to caffeine pills.
Just get into a routine, let that develop into a rhythm and watch the amount of success you can have in astonishingly quick amounts of time.