Great article on Organization Strategies: How to Help Yourself get Organized

Ms. Welch’s Daily & Weekly Routine Checklist: Daily-Weekly Online course routines

Weekly Planners

Use a  weekly planner to help you “uncover” blocks of time to have available to do course work, study, etc.

I have attached a weekly planner  I sometimes use with students who like to use a visual tool to organizing their time. (click on this link to access: Weekly Schedule)

I have the students do the following:

1. Using a blue highlighter, highlight all time slots when you usually sleep.
2. Using a green highlighter, highlight all time slots when you are scheduled to work, or train, etc.
3. Using an orange highlighter, highlight all time slots where you have family commitments, routines, schedules (i.e. family dinner times)
4. The remaining white blocks are those times to schedule schoolwork and some study break times.  Make sure these are indicated on your calendar as well.
5. Note: Since this schedule may change from week to week, start with the next couple of weeks, and then complete a new planner when you have your new schedule(s)

General Tips

• Find both large and small ways to reward yourself
  • Setting up a reward system may be the little push you need to be successful.
  • Students have shared they will go work out, walk their dog, meet up with friends, and/or treat themselves to a Starbucks, Tim Hortons, etc. after completing a certain task or assignment.
• Set goals
  • Once you have set your goals stick to them – they will eventually become a good habit and a regular part of your routine,
• Break your work time into shorter sessions (20-30 minute sessions) with 10-15 minute breaks in between. During these breaks get up, stretch, walk around, have a snack, etc.
  • One technique to go along with this is to set a timer to ring at the 30 minute mark. Some students have reported they do this with the intention to really focus on their work for just that 30 minute time block—and many times when the buzzer rings they are now so involved in the task that they find they keep on working. Setting a timer helps eliminate the tendency to keep looking at the clock for the 30 minutes to be up. This strategy is based on the Pomodoro Technique (see below).
• Chart your progress; both in the course and the courses as you successfully complete them. It can be self-motivating to see you are reaching your short term goal of completing assignments in each course, as well as your long term goal of completing courses.
• Eliminate as many physical distractions as possible (turn off the TV, stereo, cell phone, and ringer on your home phone).
• Create a separate log-in account for your computer with no access to email or social media sites such as facebook, instagram, etc. for working in an online course or on a particular assignment or project.
• If possible, avoid using the bedroom as a study or workspace. People have associated their bedroom with sleep for much of their lives and their bodies tend to go into “rest” rather than “active work” mode when they are in the bedroom.
• Find other spaces for coursework and studying
  • Public library
  • Coffee shop, etc. with free wifi

Time Blocking & Time Boxing

Setting a daily or weekly schedule is a form of time blocking and time boxing. the todoist website shares more details and examples of these time management techniques (and some others) on their site: https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/time-blocking

Pomodoro time management technique

An internet search will reveal a number of sites (and apps!) about this time management strategy. Check out this website for detailed information. Another good source of information on this technique can be found here and on the UBC website as well

Time Management apps for smartphones

There are many different choices of time management apps – some are free and some have a fee.