As online learning becomes increasingly popular worldwide, seeking out online courses to bolster your skill set and further your career isn't uncommon. Yet, with a busy schedule and personal commitments, it can be challenging to balance work and education.
To manage your time effectively, it's essential to create a schedule that aligns with your job's demands and allows you to study. If you’re struggling to achieve that balance, here's an overview of how to schedule online learning around your career for maximum efficiency.
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When selecting an online learning path and scheduling it around your career, you should consider several things.
Learning Objectives
First, determine why you're pursuing online education. For example, are you seeking professional development or personal growth?
Your reasons might include:
- Advancing your career
- Increasing your salary
- Obtaining new skills
- Overcoming work challenges
- Standing out to prospective employers
Once you've identified your purpose, research options that align with your goals.
Flexibility Options
One reason for online learning's popularity is its flexible formats, which are beneficial if you’re a working professional with a set schedule.
Not all online courses offer the same flexibility. Some use synchronous learning models; others asynchronous.
- Synchronous learning: Real-time interaction between you and your instructors—either in-person or remote
- Asynchronous learning: Access to course materials and assignments at your own pace, typically with assignment deadlines
Ensure you understand the differences between these models before deciding which best fits your personal and professional needs.
Online courses are often asynchronous, providing the flexibility to learn at your optimal time. For example, Harvard Business School Online’s certificate courses allow you to learn at your own pace during your lunch break or before or after work. You also have opportunities to network with classmates.
Networking Opportunities
Some courses only provide instruction; others offer opportunities to network with peers—which can benefit your career prospects.
Here are six tips for networking in an online course:
- Introduce yourself: If your course provides a way to chat with other learners, take advantage of it and introduce yourself. Try to also connect with them via LinkedIn or email and regularly engage in conversation.
- Use technology: Leverage meeting tools like Zoom, Google Hangouts, or Skype to facilitate conversations with peers and share real-time feedback.
- Create value: Share your knowledge with others, and ask how you can support them. This can help establish you as a subject matter expert.
- Establish and maintain an online presence: Create a LinkedIn profile and consistently maintain it.
- Join relevant online communities: Networking doesn't only have to happen during your course. For instance, the HBS Online Community has 34 Chapters worldwide you can join at any time to connect with like-minded professionals.
- Follow up with your connections: Connecting is just the first step in the process. Continue interacting with your classmates and instructors after your course ends.
Used properly, online courses are excellent tools to network and jumpstart your career advancement.
Educational Outcomes
Pursuing an advanced degree online—such as a master's—can help boost your resume. But you may not have the time or money to pursue that type of education.
If you want a highly valued credential that doesn’t require years to obtain, taking a certificate course—like those HBS Online offers—is an excellent alternative. If a certificate isn't as important to you as the learning outcomes, review the course's syllabus to ensure you'll obtain your desired skills and knowledge.
Related: What Is the Value of a Certificate from HBS Online?
9 Tips for Scheduling Online Learning
Once you've found the right course, it's vital to create a study schedule—especially since balancing online education and your career can be challenging.
Here are tips that can help you schedule online learning more effectively.
1. Plan Ahead
Planning ahead is essential to scheduling online learning around your career. Doing so can help you make the most of your time, increase your productivity, and ensure you successfully balance your academics and work commitments.
Before beginning your program, carefully review its syllabus and materials. This will help you better understand its topics and assignments.
2. Identify When You Learn Best
You might function best at different times of the day—or even the week. Determine when you're most effective so you can study during that time and not sacrifice productivity.
You may find time before or after work most conducive to your educational pursuits. If your job gives you weekends off, using that time to study can help you achieve balance.
3. Choose the Right Environment
In addition to finding the right time to study, it's crucial to determine what environment you work best in. Lighting, background noise, and your general surroundings can all impact your productivity. Create a dedicated study space to improve your focus.
Environments to consider include:
- A coffee shop
- Your living room
- A rental office
- Your bedroom
- Your company’s break room
Keep in mind: Not all of these spaces allow you to study in solitude. Therefore, it’s critical to know if the presence of others will help you avoid distractions or prevent you from concentrating.
4. Find a Scheduling Tool
You can use several tools to schedule your time effectively, such as paper planners, task management software, and online calendars.
A benefit of online tools is that they can send you notifications. Writing your schedule on paper can be just as efficient—as long as you stay on top of it. The most important consideration is what works best for you.
5. Plan Breaks
When balancing your education with your job, taking breaks is vital to avoid burnout. According to a study published in the Monitor on Psychology, most people who work in jobs that require mental effort should seriously consider taking breaks that involve exercise or spending time in natural settings to combat job burnout or, in some cases, depression.
While you may occasionally need a spontaneous break, it's a good idea to also plan breaks in your schedule. Doing so can ensure you don’t forget to step away from your work and studies to recharge.
6. Allow Adequate Time for Sleep
In addition to planning breaks, it's critical to get enough sleep. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults sleep at least seven hours each night.
Sleep isn't just important for your overall well-being; it helps you study and retain information more effectively. According to the U.S. National Institute of Health, a lack of sleep can decrease productivity by 40 percent.
Planning sleep in your schedule—and sticking to it—is key to avoiding burnout when balancing your education and career.
7. Communicate with Your Employer
You should communicate your professional development goals and the support you need to achieve them with your employer for several reasons. For one, it demonstrates your commitment to growing your career and improving your skills.
Your employer may also be able to help you with your learning schedule. For example, garnering your company’s support might help you earn more flexible working hours around your educational commitments.
Another benefit of communicating with your employer is that your organization may be willing to cover your education’s cost. Many companies are invested in developing their employees because their skills will ultimately benefit the organization.
8. Incorporate Coursework Into Your Current Role
If you're taking an online course that's relevant to your job, you can incorporate what you're learning into your daily work, resulting in benefits such as:
- Retaining lesson content
- Impressing your manager
- Gaining hands-on experience
- Solving work challenges
For instance, HBS Online's courses use real-world cases of challenges business leaders faced that illustrate concepts and enable you to apply your knowledge.
9. Identify What Works for You
Navigating your career while continuing your education can be challenging. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to scheduling your study time. It’s essential to find what works for you and stick to it.
The process will likely involve trial and error. Once you get the hang of it, you can reap online learning’s rewards while growing professionally.
Ready to Advance Your Education?
In addition to teaching valuable skills, the right course can help you take your career to the next level. Whether you want to increase your salary or earn a promotion, advancing your education through an online course can provide the tools to succeed.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore our online course catalog—which covers topics including leadership, business sustainability, and financial accounting—and download our free guide on how to advance your career with essential business skills.