Online learning is one of the most flexible ways to develop new skills. With the ability to learn at your own pace, you can gain knowledge quickly and use it to advance your career.
However, studying online also comes with distractions that could affect your productivity. Read on to discover valuable strategies to help you stay productive and focused.
Understanding the Four Quadrants of Time Management
Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower came up with the concept of the four quadrants of time management. The method involves prioritizing your tasks into four classifications based on their urgency and importance.
The four quadrants of time management are:
- Important and urgent
- Important but not urgent
- Urgent but not important
- Unimportant, not urgent
Quadrant 1: Important and Urgent
Tasks in this quadrant are both essential and urgent. These tasks require immediate attention and must be completed on time. Here are three examples of tasks that fall under Quadrant 1:
- Attending classes and lectures scheduled at specific times
- Completing a class report due in two days
- Reviewing for an exam by the end of the week
Any delays to these crucial and time-sensitive tasks can hurt your academic success. Taking care of these responsibilities based on the set deadlines is in your best interests.
Quadrant 2: Important But Not Urgent
Quadrant 2 in time management focuses on important, but not necessarily urgent tasks. While they don’t require your immediate attention, these tasks are crucial to long-term success.
Remember to set deadlines for these tasks to ensure you’re making progress.
Examples of these tasks include:
- Improving your rating or grades
- Joining a new club to become a better speaker
- Publishing an article in a reputable magazine before the end of the school year
Quadrant 3: Urgent But Not Important
Urgent but not important tasks in the Eisenhower Matrix of time management matrix are tasks that are not necessary and that do not contribute to your end goal. Often these are tasks based on the expectations of other people from us.
Examples of these tasks are:
- Checking social media notifications.
- Attending meetings that are not directly related to your academic or career goals.
- Excessively cleaning your dorm room.
- Spending too much time on extracurricular activities that do not align with your goals.
These activities can divert your focus and energy from your goals and prevent you from taking action on your most important tasks. Learn to prioritize responsibilities that contribute to your success.
Quadrant 4: Unimportant, Not Urgent
Quadrant 4 is famously known as the procrastination quadrant. This happens when you waste your precious time doing things that do not lead to your progress.
Examples of these tasks are:
- Online shopping when you should be working
- Spending too much time with your friends chatting when you should be studying
- Mindlessly scrolling on social media for several hours
- Overthinking minor decisions
If left unnoticed, these activities turn into habits, eventually leading to decreased productivity and missed opportunities in life. Recognizing these unhealthy patterns will help you make more meaningful decisions about how you spend your time.
Have Your Own Study Area
Boost your productivity by having a designated area to study. Having your own space will help you control distractions and allow you to focus on your studies.
Additionally, a cozy spot will help you relax and provide you with the best possible mindset for learning. Here are some tips to help you create a soothing environment and boost your productivity:
- Choose a quiet location with minimal distractions.
- Use comfortable seating and good lighting.
- Keep your study area clean and organized.
- Add some greenery or plants to the space.
- Listen to calming music or nature sounds to help you focus.
Take Regular Breaks
Amid our busy schedules, it can be tempting not to take a break when studying. We think forcing the information through is the best way to learn. However, this is not true at all.
According to Cornell University, taking purposeful breaks between 5-60 minutes can refresh your mind and body, increase focus, and even lead to better learning outcomes.
A few things you can do to relax during short breaks include meditating, breathing exercises, or even listening to a podcast. These are all perfect activities to give your brain a break and enhance learning.
Write Study Notes
Keep organized notes of key concepts to access information quickly whenever needed.
Taking notes can be especially helpful for online students, as it can help you engage during online classes. In addition, it can assist you in retaining information and keeping track of relevant material. It can also be a great resource when finding research materials on specific topics.
By actively taking notes on the material presented, you are more likely to retain the information and stay on track with the lesson.
Additionally, taking notes can help you to identify key concepts that may be important for assignments or exams later on. Writing down what you’ve learned will help you quickly find the information you need in the future.
Conclusion
Online learning provides an incredible opportunity to gain new skills. Maximize your learning by becoming more productive and sticking with your goals despite distractions.
The Eisenhower Matrix approach to time management is an invaluable strategy you can use to become more productive.