Structure & Technology

Create a Structure for Yourself to Manage Your Time & Priorities

The greatest challenge for new college students can be completing work outside of the classes.  They may know they have work to complete, but struggle because they lack a schedule, have too many distractions, spend too much time on distractions, multitasking or lack a work/study space that allows them to be productive. 

The secret is creating a structure for yourself by using strategies to manage your time and priorities.  Here are some tips:

Create a schedule for your time

Sketch out how when you'll work on your classes by creating a schedule.  Include your fixed commitments and schedule time for your online classes around it.  A guideline for how much time to devote to a class is about 6-9 hours for a 3-credit course.  

• Master Schedule (Fillable pdf version)

• Weekly Schedule  (Fillable pdf version)

Create a Master Calendar or Semester at a Glance (See Your Semester at a Glance, 2018)

A semester schedule gives you a visual picture of the assignments, projects, tests, exams, and quizzes that will happen during the semester. If you are taking a number of classes, this is a tool to be able to see what is coming up next.

A semester schedule includes important assignments, tests, exams, and other key events that will happen in your life during the next months.  You may wish to use color to indicate different classes, or to distinguish between your academic events and personal events.

Look at the example semester schedule below.  What do you notice about what the student chose to include?  What will you include on your semester schedule?

Create an effective study space

• Location:

  • If you're going to be completing your work for your class(es) at home, prepare a designated space preferably not your bedroom or a place where you are less likely to be interrupted.  Have plenty of lighting and keep it organized.  

  • If you struggle to complete your work at home, you might consider studying outside of your home.  Options might be studying at the Learning Commons, available on each Aims Community College Campus, a local library, a coffee shop, or fast food restaurant like McDonald's.  

• Minimizing Distractions:

  • Set boundaries with individuals that you live with such as posting when you are working on your online class.

  • Take action to minimize digital distractions. Consider using a productivity app on your phone such as Forest https://www.forestapp.cc/. These apps are designed to essentially lock your access to your phone for a specified period of time (e.g. 25 minutes) to help you have focused study sessions.  Others to consider are tech blocking tools such as Freedom  https://freedom.to/ that you can use to block websites while working on your computer

Maximize Your Use of Technology

Seek out technology to help you to be successful in your classes.  Here are some tips.

Make sure that you have a computer (NOT your phone) and internet to complete your work. 

• Aims Community College Learning Commons provides students laptops, hot spots, calculators, and other items available for short-term usage or for semester-long check-out.  You just need to complete the reservation form.

• You have access to Google tools through your MyAims account.  Explore your use of google tools with this article Using Google Tools.

Download the Brightspace Pulse App to allow you to access your classes from your phone.

Brightspace Pulse is a mobile app for iOS and Android phones that helps students stay organized and up to date with their courses. Stay productive while on-the-go with offline access to content, push notifications and easy viewing on your mobile device.

Watch this video that will guide you step by step on how to use the App, specific to Aims Community College.

Use technology to help you with writing. 

College instructors expect your writing to be professional and error-free.  Use technology such as Grammarly  There is a free version that checks basic grammar and spelling.  You can pay for Grammarly Premium for features like plagiarism detection and advanced writing feedback. 

Know your support resources at Aims Community College

1. Information Technology (IT):  This department can resolve issues with Aims Online (D2L, Okta, etc.) and other technology challenges they may encounter.  You have the option to call, email, or complete a help desk ticket.

2. Learning Resource Technicians (LRTs): The LRTs can help you with Aims account navigation and assistance, including Okta, Aims email, password reset, account unlock, WIFI assistance, basic program, and device assistance, usage, navigation, troubleshooting, setup, usage, file management, internet connectivity, uploading, downloading and formatting documents, Google "G" Suite - Drive, Sites, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Chat, Meet, and Jamboard, Microsoft Office Suite/ Office 365, and more. Just complete this short form to request help.  A technician will respond within thirty minutes during our normal business hours.

3. Desire2Learn (D2L) - Learning Online Specialist: You can receive support for learning how to navigate D2L, understanding online instructions, instructor feedback, study techniques specific to learning online, etc.  Make an appointment with Marina Rodriguez, Online Learning Specialist (marina.rodriguez@aims.edu or (970) 821-9961.