Illustration by Mark A. Hicks

For the student who has too much on their mind, this post is dedicated to you…

In any given week think about the amount of lists you produce of things that need to get done. What’s the issue here? Unless it’s built around a schedule that works for you, you’ll forget about the lists and you won’t get these things done. I’ve emphasized on here before about limiting distractions. While this is an ideal concept, it’s nearly impossible for those with family and work obligations. I sugggest giving into the distraction from time to time to be more constructive.

For those looking for inspiration try 43 Folders. It’s a snarky site with great information to really get your creative mind in gear. Say you’re having issues coming up with talking points. Type into their search something on that topic and check out the results. If the perfect answer doesn’t come up, don’t be shy about posting your own question. Think of it as an intellectual Yahoo! Answers. It’s another way to gain perspective, and a different viewpoint.

By: J. Mason

The online student needs to make sure they have 5 areas of interest down in order to survive school. They need to know time management, how to take notes, refine their writing skills, how to conduct research effectively, and effective study habits. Here are 5 app types to facilitate the online learning process:

• Time management/Organization
  • GoTasks
  • Homework Tracker w/Reminders
• Note taking
  • Evernote
  • iAnnotate PDF
• Writing
  • Write 2 Lite
  • Papers
• Researching
  • Article Search by Foreminds
• Studying/Flashcards
  • Flashcards Pro
  • iCram Master

Check out my app picks in the podcast below!
By J. Mason
5 App Types for the Online Student by APUS

A picture says a thousand words right? Well, if you were to take a picture of your classes, or online experience, how would that look? A screenshot of your online classroom may not be the most appealing thing to show friends and family, unlike a cute baby or cat picture. What you can do is “snap” a picture by detailing what you’ve learned, and where your education is taking you.

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What’s your preference for absorbing information? Are you tactile (touch), auditory (sound), or visual (sight)? You may think that you’re limited to only sound and sight as an online student, but you can easily modify your home learning environment to fit your needs. Once you’ve identified where your mind is at, you’ll be able to adopt new learning methods that will compliment your experience in the classroom.

Define your learning style.

1. Visual learners learn best through their eyes.
2. Auditory learners obtain information best through their ears.
3. Tactile leaners absorb knowledge through their hands.

Take the time to observe yourself, and how you relay information in a subject. If you find yourself doing a search for videos and podcasts then you should focus on tuning your skills in the auditory direction. Here’s a great post on how to “Maximize Your Learning Style in School and Life.” It’s has great suggestions and exercises for fine-tuning your learning skills.

By: J. Mason