How To Succeed in an 8-Week Course
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By Taryn Kuczynski, August 2015
Many colleges offer a 16-week course semester, while Utica College [now known as Utica University] offers a fast-paced environment with their eight-week course terms. I enjoy the fast-paced, eight-week courses because I like to stay busy and see my accomplishments add up quickly.
At Utica University, as an online cybersecurity student, I can take two courses per eight-week term, which is equal to four classes each traditional 16-week semester. Here is how I made this fast pace work for me.
1. First, Determine Whether This Fast Pace Suits Your Life
Four classes in 16 weeks would be too much for my schedule, as it would be for many others out there. Being able to focus on two classes each eight-week term allows for a job and family time, while still graduating at the same pace as any full-time student
In a full 16 weeks, the classes move slowly, yet you have four classes to juggle. In eight weeks with two classes, the courses are much faster paced, because you are finishing them in half of the time. This can make some people uneasy that they may not be able to absorb the coursework.
Time management plays a big role in the success of a full-time student at Utica University.
2. Structure Your Week Around Assignment Types
The coursework assigned each week may consist of a few chapters to read, one main discussion post followed by a minimum of two responses to classmates, and maybe a quiz, a paper, or a lab due at the end of each week.
Some weeks this can be overwhelming, while others it slows down. The way that I am able to manage my time is by starting my discussion posts on Sunday evening or Monday. I get my first discussions in for each class to have them out of the way.
By Tuesday, I usually have a response or two from other classmates, which allows me to think, research, and post on theirs or respond to their comments on my discussion posting. Meanwhile, I read my chapters and jot some notes down that could help with a quiz, lab or paper due at the end of the week.
I try to start my assignments that are due at the end of the week by midweek to make sure I have given myself enough time to finish.
3. Use the Engage Learning System To Plan
Juggling just two classes at a time makes this type of work very manageable alongside my daily routine. Making a schedule and using the course calendar provided to you through our Engage learning system helps with time management as well.
Engage tracks what you still need to turn in and study for and allows you to move around things when life gets in the way. It not only makes you more aware of what is going on in your classes; it also holds you more accountable to get those things done in time.
Lastly, for each subject, Engage helps to prioritize your time and distribute your time wisely, so you can complete all required tasks by your weekly deadlines. Overall, a little bit of time management goes a long way.
About the Author
Taryn Kuczynski is a senior (full time online student) at the School of Business and Justice Studies. She is a 33-year-old mother of two that had some speed bumps in her studies plan, but never gave up and is so close to the finish line. She is happily married to her best friend who is a Master’s in Cybersecurity student at Utica. She loves to hang out with her family and work on cyber studies projects with her husband and his employers. She plays tennis, loves to cook and enjoys photo editing. She has two labradoodles and a Bengal/tabby mix that are her little babies too! After completing her bachelor’s degree, she plans on working full time while continuing her education through the master’s program at Utica University.