Are you ready to pursue your online degree?

If you’ve been thinking about pursuing an online degree, there’s something you should do before you even apply: assess your time and priorities.

Succeeding at an online university requires strong time management skills. Begin by evaluating how you spend your time, how you want to spend it, and if your time and priorities are in balance with each other.

There are 8 key areas related to managing your time and priorities that you need to consider before pursuing an online degree. Take a moment to think through the following:

1. Support

How much support do you have for everyday life tasks, such as caretaking, finances, and household chores? Chances are you will need a little extra help while attending school.

2. Schedule

We all have busy schedules. Is there room in your schedule for school? Think about a typical week and everything you spend time doing, from working to washing dishes and driving the kids around.

3. Leisure

How much time do you spend doing the things you love that help you recharge? Whether that’s a hobby, exercise, or relaxation, adding coursework to your plate can impact your free time.

4. Study Habits

Do you think better in the morning or at night? Your study schedule can impact the amount of time it takes to finish coursework. Be sure to set aside time when you’re most productive.

5. Study Environment

Do you have a quiet place to study? Are you planning to do homework at the office? Your environment can impact the time it takes to complete your coursework.

6. Priorities

What is most important to you in your life? Where does your education fit in relation to family, friends, your career, and community involvement?

7. Planning

Do you tend to get an early start or do you procrastinate with your to-do list? It is a good idea to have a realistic plan for how online coursework will fit into your life schedule before you start a degree program.

8. Organization

Your organization system is critical to keep you on track with your coursework. What tools do you use to stay focused and on-task?

How much time will you really need?

The actual time you spend on coursework may vary from week-to-week and from school-to-school, but you should plan on about 10-15 hours per course per week. It’s a big commitment, but it’s possible. That’s why managing your time and balancing your priorities is key to pursuing an online degree.