1. Have realistic expectations - work hard and learn what you need to but be flexible. If you are tired from work or had a sick child keep that in mind when you look at your class assignments.
2. Make a schedule - time is a resource, make the most of what you have. Schedule a regular time to study and work on assignments, it is about setting priorities. Establish a routine that works for you.
3. Utilize your relationships - don't try to do it on your own. Develop relationships with other parents, find online or local parent support groups.
4. Keep your eyes on your goals - think about why you are getting a degree. Imagine the benefits and the example you are setting.
5. Remember to take care of yourself - eat well (increases energy), take a walk for at least 15 mins a day (increases alertness), get some sleep (aids memory retention and problem-solving).
6. Set boundaries - let your family know what you need (quiet time in mornings, hours when you can't be disturbed).
7. Enjoy the experience - celebrate big and small things (doing well on a paper or a test, finishing a paper before the due date, or understanding a difficult concept). Share those achievements with your children and family.
8. Learn to delegate - Ask your family for help with household chores and errands.
1. Stay organized - know your class assignments, due dates, and class meetings. Binders and page dividers can help. Also using certain color highlighters and page tags for each specific course. Use a planner and write all your due dates in it as well as schedule study times.
2. Make checklists - what needs to be done before class, assignments for class, readings for class, and steps to writing a paper. Making a checklist can help break down bigger tasks into more manageable chunks.
3. Block schedule - work for an hour and take a fifteen-minute break and then work for an hour. By breaking up the work you can focus during that hour.
4. Reward yourself - If you do four hours of working on your paper, you get to watch that new movie that came out. If you write that discussion post then you get to read that next chapter in your book. If you finish and turn in that assignment, then you get to have a snack and go on social media for a half hour. It is about giving yourself things to look forward to as you complete the task you set for yourself to complete.
5. Treat your Schoolwork like a job - setting daily goals and making a checklist for each course.
6. Manage time carefully - most tasks take more time than you estimate. If you finish an assignment early, get a jump start on the next one.
7. Use your phone for good - There are apps for everything. You could use the calendar, clock (timers), note-taking, and checklist apps.
1. Hold yourself accountable - set goals at the start of every semester.
2. Practice time management - Create your own schedule (Look at the syllabus at the start of the semester - mark all assignments on a calendar. Designate certain times to complete assignments, studying and participating in class discussions.
3. Create a regular study space - whether it is the kitchen table or your room, it is good to figure out where you work best.
4. Eliminate distractions - Dishes, social media, Netflix and so many distractions pulling your attention. Some you can eliminate by listening to music on headphones, others can be handled by shutting off notifications on your phone.
5. Figure out how you learn best - If you work better in the morning, afternoon, or night (set time aside during the time you have the most energy and focus). It might also help to use different color pens while taking notes. If you are a visual learner - print out the transcripts of the lectures, if you are an audio learner - you may have to make time to listen to the lecture more than once.
6. Actively participate - ask questions, turn on your camera, and comment in discussions and during lectures.
7. Try not to procrastinate - make small steps and progress on homework, group project, or the big paper.
8. Always back your work up - be prepared for internet glitches and computer crashes. You can utilize Google Drive but it is also good to use jump drives and external hard drives.
9. Have family or friends quiz you - make and use flashcards, make it a game, get them to ask you questions from your notes. This will help you remember facts for quizzes and tests.
10. Log on and check your course material frequently - discussions, schedule changes or extra instructions for your assignments, and notifications. If you set a certain time of day to go on and check everything it can help you stay on top of things and be successful in class.