US online classes are both liberating and challenging. The absence of a physical presence and a rigid class schedule can lead to procrastination, missed deadlines and burnout. Students complain about not having time to finish their work, rather than it being too hard. Enter time blocking. Time blocking is not simply a list of tasks; it is an exclusive scheduling process for allocating time for different tasks, much like a college timetable.
If you feel busy, but not productive, you are not alone. Students often resort to outside help, like someone to help with my online class, as their study methods fall short. But using time blocking techniques, you can take back control of your week. Here are five effective strategies for asynchronous lectures, discussion posts and intense deadlines.
Pomodoro Lecture Blocks
The greatest sin of the online student is to try to watch three hours of recorded lectures in a single sitting. Our attention spans are only 20-30 minutes long. The Pomodoro Block Method breaks down the traditional 25-minute work sprint for the online classroom, so you can learn without feeling exhausted.
Matching 25-Minute Sprints to Video Lectures
Begin by downloading lecture videos for the week. Rather than watching the videos in their entirety, watch each video in 25-minute sprints. Set a timer: 25 minutes of video, 5 minutes of rest (stretching, water, etc). While watching, take notes in another document. Take a 20-minute break after four sprints. This technique is ideal for math and physics. For example, if you're struggling with weekly sets of problems, you may be tempted to look for someone to Take my algebra class for me . But before you pay someone to do your homework, try this: set three 25-minute chunks for algebra formulas. You'll often find that 25 minutes of focused time helps make complicated formulas clear, rather than two hours of staring.
Task Batching for Discussion and Quizzes
Online courses often involve several small tasks: engaging with two posts in an online discussion, completing a low-stakes quiz, checking email, and viewing the rubric feedback on the quiz. Time blocking is the practice of scheduling time to focus on a task; task batching is the practice of grouping similar types of cognitive tasks together to avoid the "switching cost" that drains your willpower.
Blocking 45 Minutes for Low-Stakes Tasks
Allocate one 45-minute chunk of time on Tuesday and Thursday for "Course Maintenance" only. In this block, have all of your course tabs open. First, post three discussion comments (15 minutes). Then, complete any open-book quizzes (15 minutes). Third, clean up your file downloads and review the syllabus for the next assignments (15 minutes). Batching allows you to stay out of the habit of checking Canvas (or Blackboard) twenty times a day. Batching distributes the weight of an assignment so that a 5-point quiz is no longer a big deal.
3-3-3 for the Big Assignments
In midterm and finals week, your to-do list expands threefold. The 3-3-3 method is an intense time blocking approach for weeks when you have a research paper, lab report and group project all due in 72 hours. This time blocking structure works by breaking the day into three parts.
3 Hours, 3 Tasks, 3 Outcomes
Here's how the 3-3-3 will look in the US online classroom:
3 Hours of Deep Work: Spend the first 3 hours working on the most challenging course (e.g., calculus or organic chemistry). In this block, silence your phone, close all other tabs, and work on problems. If you get stuck for more than 20 minutes, circle the problem and move to the next. This is when students really get stuck and start to feel like they need an "algebra class tutor". Instead, identify the harder problems using the 3-3-3 rule and then come back to them for a second block.
3 Specific Tasks: In the second block (90 minutes), focus on three moderate tasks such as writing an essay outline, sourcing two academic sources and filming a video response.
3 Easy Wins: This last block is for those small tasks - filing a document, checking your email, sorting your desktop calendar.
This way, even during your most unproductive days, you get three wins.
Weekly Theme Blocking (Thematic Time Blocking)
Typically, students plan on a day-to-day basis, which results in reactive learning. Weekly Theme Blocking involves focusing on a single subject or skill per day. This is ideal for students taking four non-related subjects (e.g. English Literature, Algebra, History and Biology).
Dedicate Each Day to One Subject
Examine your semester-long syllabus. Monday is "Algebra Day". Monday becomes the day for all things math: listen to the lecture, do the homework, go to the tutoring session, and study the flashcards. Tuesday is "English Day" to focus on essays and reading. Theming the days allows your brain to remain in one focused state for 24 hours. You don't have to go from a Shakespeare sonnet to a quadratic equation every hour. By theming your days, you will naturally gain momentum. If something is really difficult, you will know when to ask for help. Rather than feel overwhelmed on Sunday night and plead with someone to take my algebra class for me, you will have an "Algebra Day" in your schedule where you will have time to revisit the problem or email your professor for help.
Conclusion:
Different time blocking techniques work for different people. Some people thrive on the sprint and rest approach of Pomodoro, while others enjoy the focus of Weekly Theme Blocking. The trick is to experiment. Select one of the methods outlined above and experiment for three days. Track your completion rate. If you miss a block, do not be disheartened - move the task to the next block. Over time, tools like this transform online learning. They convert the unruly flow of notifications into a more predictable process. And while there are businesses that will take my algebra class for me or provide general Help with my online class in dire situations, time blocking makes those situations less likely. You can manage US online classes; you just need a system that fits your life.
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