Flexibility and freedom to choose your daily schedule are two fantastic features of online learning. The ability to work at your own pace, whether as a synchronous or asynchronous student, definitely has its perks. Having the freedom to decide how and when you study and complete your assignments is a major advantage, but it comes with a catch: you must have a plan. Time management, organization, and self discipline are all essential for academic success in an online environment. Effective time management ensures that you meet deadlines, submit work on time, and maintain consistent study sessions. Without it, you can easily fall behind, miss deadlines, and fail to meet academic expectations. In this article, we will explore ways to stay productive and manage your time more effectively to support strong academic achievement.

 

So, why does time management matter in online learning? 

Time management that is consistent and well planned can:

  • - Help you meet deadlines

  • - Reduce stress

  • - Balance your life, including: school, activities, and your personal time.

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In 2025, a study of 10th grade students found that time management and a stable study routine were common among students with “very satisfactory” study habits. This study suggested that structured study, good time management, and a consistent study routine all contributed to academic success. Research shows that students with strong time management skills have a higher tendency to achieve their academic goals and meet deadlines, which often results in improved grades. Creating balance within a hectic schedule of extracurricular activities, assignments, academic responsibilities, and other commitments can reduce stress and improve overall well being.

International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 15, Issue 8, August 2025

Do you find yourself waiting until the last minute to complete tasks, or assignments?  Feeling overwhelmed with your schedule? Together, we will take a look at some helpful strategies and practical tips to help get you on the track to academic success. First, let’s start with a clear mind and create a productive routine that works for you in your virtual online learning world. Let’s begin:

 

Tip #1: Create a daily schedule:

(for the 5 minutes between classes, log into the next class and take a quick break)

7:00 am Wake up and get dressed

7:30 am eat breakfast

8:00 am open laptop and log in

8:10-9: 05 am 1st period class

9:10-10:05 am- 2nd period class

10:10-11:05 am-3rd period

11:05-11:45 am- lunch

11:45-11:55- log back in and prep for afternoon classes

11:55-12:50 pm- 4th period class

12:55-1:50 pm-5th period class

1:55-2:50 pm- 6th period class

2:50-4:00 pm- Study time, club activities, etc.

4:00-5:00 pm- Complete some homework assignments-eat a snack

5:00-6:00 pm- Leisure activities

6:00-7:00 pm- Dinner

7:00-8:00 pm- Study, complete any assignments, chores around house

8:00-10:00pm- Get ready for the next day, personal care, and bed time

10:00pm- Lights out!

 

This is a sample schedule by all means, but you get the idea. When designing a schedule, block out specific times for classes, studying, breaks, meals, and other personal activities. When setting your beginning and end times for the school day, be sure to give yourself some buffer space. For example, if your first class begins at 8:10 a.m., do not wait until 8:09 to open your laptop. Give yourself at least ten minutes before class starts to log in, open Blackboard or Google Class, and make sure you have everything ready to go. Another very important step is to make sure your computer is fully charged, that your cord is ready to plug in, and that all of your class documents and assignments are prepared before class begins.

 

Next, we are going to look at setting up your lists of important things, including your goals and priorities. It is important to set daily and weekly goals to give yourself something to work toward, and there is nothing more satisfying than checking something off your to do list. When you set goals and create lists with priorities, you can break larger projects into more manageable chunks. When you are creating your lists, start with the most important tasks first (for example, an assignment due soon or an essay that requires more time), and then move on to the less important items. This will help balance your workload and begin to create a productive flow. Here are some ideas:

 

Tip #2: Set Clear Goals and Priorities

1. Write down daily or weekly goals, like “finish ELA assignment by 3PM” or “review Mrs. B’s science notes for 30 minutes”. 

2. Prioritize your tasks by importance and deadlines so you know what you need to tackle first.

3. Break your larger assignments down into smaller, more manageable steps.

4. Write down 2-3 main goals for the day.

 

These ideas can help you spread out your work so it doesn’t seem so overwhelming, and creates a more manageable approach to pacing assignments. This allows you to identify which tasks are most urgent or important, and allows you to control your schedule.

 

Another important part of being productive is having a designated work space, free of distractions. Working and studying at home is wonderful but sometimes, full of distractions. The television blaring, notifications blasting off your phone, or loud chatter, can cause disruptions to your work environment. It's important to keep your space focused, calm, and organized for you to be fully productive. 

 

Tip #3: Minimize Distractions

1. Find a quiet, dedicated workspace free from distraction, this includes: TV, gaming consoles, cell phone, and tablets!

2. Turn off phone notifications, or use apps that block distracting websites.

3. Ask family members to respect your work time, and kindly ask that they help in keeping a quiet environment when you are working.

 

If you don’t know where to start, ask your parent or learning coach to help you create this workable space. 

These strategies can increase your productivity and keep you organized while you work.

 

Feeling frazzled? Sleepy? Take a moment for yourself, to help keep your time managed, your schedule flowing, and you feeling good as well! Don’t forget to take time to break and recharge! When you are burned out, productivity will cease to flow. It is important to take breaks and refuel.

 

Tip #4 Take Breaks and Practice Balance

1. Take a creative reset-maybe doodle or draw a picture, play an instrument.

2. Take an outdoor break-step outside for some fresh air or go for a walk.

3. Take a mindful break-maybe stretch or meditate for a moment. 

4. Don’t overload your schedule with too many projects in one day, space them out.

 

 

Taking breaks and practicing balance can refresh, reset, and maintain balance during online learning. Taking breaks can improve your focus, and increase productivity though taking these moments to include times for rest, hobbies, and even fun!

 

Tip #5:  Stay Organized with Assignments and Deadlines

1. Organization is key: for each class, try using digital folders (Google Drive), or digital notebooks for each subject.

2. Create assignment checklists, or create calendar reminders so that you hit those deadlines on time.

3. Always review your schedule before your week starts, create those lists, and plan ahead. 

 

Stuck? Don’t know what to do? Ask for help if you need it! Communication is important, never assume your learning coach or teacher knows you are struggling.  Time management sometimes can be tricky, and it is okay to reach out to your mentors, teachers, or learning coaches-they are a wealth of information.

 

Tip #6: Communicate and Ask for Help

1. If you are lost, need advice, or just guidance-ask for help: if you are stuck, reach out.

2. Reach out to your teachers, advisors, and classmates-you may learn some helpful tips and tricks to manage your time better!

3. Utilize your school's resources-learning coaches, teachers, and student services. 

 

Lastly, it is important to get up and get moving. When you are in your comfort space (your home or bedroom), it’s easy to want to stay in your pajamas, but treating your day as if you were going to a brick and mortar school is advantageous. Wake up and get ready for your day, as if you were hopping on that school bus-dress for success! Also, reward yourself from time to time for achieving your goals and being productive, maybe it’s an extra 10 minutes on your favorite game or a nice 10 minute nap. Reflect at the end of the week what is working and what is not, it will help you to fine tune your schedule.

 

Online school gives students freedom, but that freedom only works if students are responsible and disciplined enough to manage it responsibly. Plan your time carefully, avoid procrastination, and stay organized. Time management is a skill that is developed over time, so don’t give up if the first try is not as successful as you like. Start small, implementing one or two strategies to start, and build from there. As J.R.R. Tolkien once said, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”.