Enrolled in an Online / Part-Time Program? 5 Tips for Successful Completion for Working Professionals!

As a working professional, enrolling in an online and/or a part-time program is one thing but sticking to the curriculum and completing the course with active learning is another thing. We know it isn’t easy to manage work and studies simultaneously. However, if managed well, it isn’t difficult either. Here we share few effective tips that can help working professionals to complete their online as well as part-time course successfully.

Schedule Your Weekly Study Date and Time along with Deadlines

Don’t let your online course be the last thing in your to-do list. Set your weekly calendar with dates and timings along with reminders so that you can commit the time slot to watching video lectures, presentations, researching and completing your assignments. Do keep deadlines of each module/assignment so that you do not procrastinate over one thing for many days.

Hold yourself Responsible or Pair Up with an Accountability Partner

In a traditional environment, students are given multiple verbal as well as written reminders of an assignments due date. However, when it comes to pursuing a part-time or an online course you have to hold yourself accountable by being pro-active, well-organized and being self-aware of your situation. In case if you are having difficulty holding yourself accountable, you can either ask your spouse, colleague, sibling or your associate to check in with you as an accountability partner.

Set Up Your Dedicated Study Space

If you are a working professional you surely need a dedicated space to study so that you can focus in your dedicated learning space. Experiment few spaces and carry on with the one that boost your productivity. No matter what your dedicated study space is – your garden, balcony, local coffee shop or your bedroom side table, ensure you have a. high speed internet connection b. study material and c. headphones to avoid distraction.

Eliminate Distractions that Can Derail Your Studies

In the age of Netflix, social media, WhatsApp and those random notifications on a mobile phone, it is very easy to get distracted. So, you can either put your phone off or on silent when you concentrate on your study or you can simply deactivate the notifications of the apps/websites that usually distract you easily. For every individual, distractions might vary, you have to work on your strategy to eliminate things that can derail your studies.

Engage with Fellow Students, Instructors, Join Discussion and Leverage your Network

Part-time and online programs can sometimes become a lonely affair but you do not have to make it one. Engage with your instructors/guide, collaborate with other students, join online discussion over forums, make a virtual study group, build relationships and leverage your network so that you can make your online learning more effective.

Lastly, you need to treat your online / part-time course like a real traditional course or better like your job and you’ll always be at the best position right from the very start.