Solutions: Inconsistent Schedule

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Previously I gave an example of what a bad online course schedule might look like. I’m going to bring that back for reference so that I can share some tips and options for dealing with it.

  • Discussion 1 – due by 4:00PM Tuesday Oct. 2
  • Discussion 2 – due by 8:30PM Saturday Oct. 13
  • Discussion 3 – due by 2:56 Wednesday Oct. 17
  • Journal 1 – due by 8:47AM Wednesday Oct. 3
  • Journal 2 – no date or time listed
  • Essay 1 – due by 2:30AM Friday Oct.19
  • Essay 2 – due Wednesday Oct. 31 no time listed

1. First, try contacting your instructor. Maybe they missed some dates by accident or didn’t realize how inconsistent the due dates had become. Maybe they did it on purpose but don’t understand the negative impact that it has on a student’s success and you can help them understand. Always give your instructor an opportunity to explain their methods and correct a mistake before taking any other action unless you truly feel uncomfortable contacting them. 

2. If you have trouble contacting your instructor, or feel uncomfortable doing so, reach out to your adviser or someone within the department. Particularly if this issue is affecting your success in class or you find yourself constantly penalized for late assignments that would not be considered late with more consistent due times.

3. Lastly, if the first two options just aren’t working, aren’t working fast enough, or you feel uncomfortable with them: set your own due dates and times. This will take a good chunk of time at first but will save you time and headaches later on. For example, the above bad schedule becomes:

  • Discussion 1 – due by 11:59PM Monday Oct. 1
  • Discussion 2 – due by 11:59PM Friday Oct. 12
  • Discussion 3 – due by 11:59PM Tuesday Oct. 16
  • Journal 1 – due by 11:59PM Tuesday Oct. 2
  • Journal 2 – no date or time listed (contact my instructor, make the due date the night before)
  • Essay 1 – due by 11:59PM Thursday Oct.20
  • Essay 2 – due by 11:59PM Tuesday Oct. 30

In this example I’ve made all of my assignments due the night before the instructor requires them to be turned in. Now I don’t have to remember all of the random due times, only the due dates. There are a lot of different ways to restructure the schedule on your own, for more ideas just ask!

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