In the same way that successful managers plan and staff resources, successful online students plan their
activities so they can accomplish their professional and academic goals and still have time for family and
leisure. In your professional life, you have to look at your schedule to plan for personal and family activities
or determine when it is possible for you to make vacation plans. You will need to do the same in your academic
career to ensure that you have enough time each week to comprehend the material and complete your assignments on
time. Take a moment to review the Syllabus link on the Navigation bar, paying special attention to the due dates
for all Applications and Discussion posts that may be found on the course schedule. Consider a schedule that you
could create for this course. How many times a week would you need to log on to the course and for how long? How
many hours would you need to reserve for working on your assignments?

To prepare for this Discussion, complete the “How Good Is Your Time Management” quiz listed in your Resources page
for this week. After completing the quiz, scroll down and explore how you scored in the different areas of time
management. Also complete the “Flash Interactive Presentation on Time Management.”

After completing these activities, think about how you currently plan your days. Are you able to accomplish your
tasks or do you have a long list of items on your to-do list at the end of each day? What are your strengths in
planning and managing your time? What are the greatest challenges that you face?

Now respond to the following:
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• Select one of the areas of time management from the “How Good Is Your Time Management” quiz in which you
believe you need the most growth. What can you do to specifically improve this area of time management? How could
this also help you both in school and in your career?
•
• After completing the Flash Activity, consider unanticipated events or obligations that will undoubtedly
occur in your life. How can you plan for the unexpected?
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• Using the information from the above “Prime Times,” provide a description of at least one strategy each
for planning, managing time, and studying effectively (choose strategies that are new to you). Explain how and why
you think each will contribute to your success as an online learner.
•
• Also, share one strategy with your class that you have used in the past, either in your academic or
professional experience that has empowered you in time management. Describe the strategy and explain how it has
been helpful. In addition, include a tip on how you handle unexpected interruptions or unexpected changes to your
schedule.