Issue link: http://ncumarketing.uberflip.com/i/889209
become overwhelmed and better able to manage it all effectively, and get their work done on time! When tackling a paper or weekly assignment, I find that it really helps to work with students to break the assignment down into smaller parts or manageable pieces. For example, they might collect research articles on their topic of interest on Monday, read the research articles on Tuesday, outline their paper on Wednesday, start to write on Thursday, and add the finishing touches by Friday. When putting this type of plan for the week together on Monday with a student, I recommend that they first review their assignment, and reach out to their professor with any questions before they put together their plan for the week. This way, they have clarity before they begin. Finally, I suggest that they make every effort to shoot for an early target date for their assignment. This way, if something comes up, they have some wiggle room built into their schedule. They also will be more likely to have the time to give their work the once-over before submitting it, review- ing for spelling, grammar and citations for a more polished and professional final product. Although much of this seems to be common knowledge, you might be surprised by the number of students who really struggle with this, particularly those in the first class or two of their program. Getting started sometimes can be challenging, particularly when it is something new. Given this, assisting students with their few steps in the program can go a long way! Time Management For new students, one of the biggest things that I see them struggle with when they first start their online studies is how to manage it all. Most of our students are working outside of the home, and they usually are juggling many responsibilities such as family, caring for children, aging parents, etc. Given this, I find that it is often extremely helpful to have them develop a plan each week. I ask them to consciously think about their time and how they currently use it, how they might improve, as well as some of the challenges that they might face along the way. Here are some of the main points that I like to go over with students who seem to be struggling with getting started, or who seem to have quite a lot on their plate already. First, I reiterate that they will most definitely need the 15-20 hours a week to dedicate to their studies. I emphasize to them that cutting corners will not get them where they want to be. With this in mind, I have students look at their current schedule, and then I work with them to set up a schedule with regular days/times when they will study. I remind them to add both start and end times to their daily schedule, and to think about when they are most productive and to set up their study time then. I also suggest that they be realistic when putting together a schedule, and to remember to factor in downtime and the need for small, frequent breaks along the way. My recommendation is for students to try to get something done every day, even if it is something small. This way, they are practicing good work habits, are less likely to Mary Streit, PhD Full-Time Faculty Department of Psychology TEACHING TEACHING