The flexibility of being an online student is the main reason why so many students prefer to study online. For the most part, you can create a school schedule around your synchronous and asynchronous classes and your other responsibilities. You can prioritize what’s most important to you and study at times that work best for you.
But it can also be easy to get distracted. When you have more freedom to complete your homework and studies, things can pile up quickly if you’re not careful. You need to have good time management techniques to stay on top of your schoolwork.
Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to manage your time because there are so many resources, tools, and apps to help you. In this article, we’re covering some of the best time management tools for online students.
Analog Time Management Tools for Students
These days, suggestions of time management tools typically revolve around websites and apps. Our list is no different, but before we cover digital tools, it’s important to remember that simple analog tools are still some of the best ways to keep track of your assignments and manage your time as an online student.
- Physical Agenda & Paper Planners
You can’t go wrong with handwriting your schedules and tasks. Writing notes down by hand can improve your memory, and it’s less distracting than a phone. Agendas and planners are cheap and easy to use, and they encourage you to take a break from looking at a screen.
No technology is needed, which can be a good thing, but it also comes with a downside. Paper can’t send you reminders, so you’ll need to get in the habit of checking your agenda regularly.
- Whiteboard & Sticky Notes
If you like having your plans and tasks right in front of you, a simple whiteboard and sticky notes can be surprisingly effective.
A whiteboard on a wall in your learning space makes it easy to map out your week or jot down daily priorities, and sticky notes are perfect for quick reminders you can move around as needed. They’re especially helpful if you tend to forget digital alerts, since your schedule is literally in sight all day. Like an agenda, though, they don’t come with built-in reminders, and you’ll need to make a habit of checking and updating them regularly.
Related: How to Create a Good Study Environment for Online Students
Calendar & Scheduling Apps
When you’re learning online, keeping track of classes, due dates, and activities is easier when you have a clear schedule laid out. These calendar tools help you plan your days, block out study time, and make sure you don’t miss important deadlines.
If you already have a Google account, Google Calendar is a great calendar tool, and it’s very easy to use. You can color-code classes, add assignment due dates, and set reminders for when it’s time to log into a virtual class. It’s especially helpful because it syncs across all your devices, so you’ll always have your schedule handy. You can also use Google Calendar to track different types of tasks by creating a new calendar depending on your needs.
Sometimes you just need a quick to-do list instead of a full planner. Google Tasks is a simple app that lets you jot down assignments, set due dates, and check things off as you go. If you’re already using Google Calendar, Google Tasks pairs nicely since it will show up in your calendar events. Google Tasks is pretty basic, and depending on your needs, you may need something more advanced.
Microsoft To Do is another great option if you like making lists. You can organize tasks by subject, set reminders, and even share lists with classmates for group projects. It also works well if you use Microsoft 365. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a built-in calendar view; you’ll need to pair it with another app for scheduling.
Todoist is one of the best time management tools for students and a great choice if you’re looking for something a little more polished. You can organize assignments by class, set recurring tasks, add reminders, and see a simple weekly and monthly calendar view of your workload. The free version does limit how many tasks you can keep active, and some advanced features require an upgrade. But for keeping projects organized, it’s more than enough.
Task & Assignment Trackers
Calendars are great for the big picture, but sometimes you need a tool that’s designed just for homework and assignments. These apps are built with task management for students in mind. They make it easy to stay on track with all your classes and homework.
With iOS, Android, and desktop apps, myHomework makes it easy to keep track of classes, homework, and tests. The app looks like a digital version of the planners you might get at school, and it can send reminders when assignments are due. It’s user-friendly and perfect if you’re in middle or high school. Just keep in mind that the free version comes with ads, and some extra features are only available with an upgrade.
MyStudyLife is another planner built just for students, and it’s great if you have a rotating schedule or classes that don’t meet every day. You can plug in all your classes, assignments, and exams, and the app will remind you about what’s coming up. It syncs across all your devices, so you’ll never lose your schedule. It’s not as flashy as some other apps, but it’s practical and reliable.
All-in-One Organizers
If you like to have everything together in one place, online study organization tools are a great option. They let you centralize your notes, schedules, tasks, and projects.
Notion is amazing if you like customizing your workspace. With Notion, you can build pages for each class, add to-do lists, track assignments on a calendar, and even take notes. The possibilities are almost endless. If you’re looking for productivity apps for students, Notion has lots of free templates you can use, as well as lots of great time management templates. Be aware that Notion can feel a little overwhelming at first, especially for younger students who just need something simple.
Trello is perfect if you’re a visual learner. It uses boards and cards (kind of like the digital version of sticky notes on a wall) to help you organize tasks. You can make a board for each class, drag assignments from “to-do” to “done”, and even work on group projects together with your classmates.
Focus and Timer Apps for Students
Even with a solid plan, it’s easy to get distracted while learning online. Focus and timer apps can help you stay on task by breaking your study time into smaller, manageable chunks.
If you have an Android phone, Brain Focus is a no-frills Pomodoro-style app that lets you set custom focus and break intervals. It’s simple, effective, and totally free. You can also track your productivity stats over time, which can be motivating.
Forest is a focus timer with a fun twist: while you study, a little tree grows on your screen. If you leave the app to scroll social media, the tree dies. It’s a playful way to stay on task, and many students find it surprisingly motivating. Forest is available as a Chrome extension, and on the App Store and Google Play.
Tide combines a focus timer with calming background sounds, like rain or ocean waves. It’s a great option if you find it hard to concentrate in silence. You can set study sessions, take mindful breaks, and even use it for sleep support.
Find What Works Best for You
Every student has their own style of learning and organizing. Some like the simplicity of a paper planner, while others prefer the flexibility of apps like Notion or the fun focus timers in Forest. The best tool is the one that fits your lifestyle and actually makes it easier for you to keep up with school and everything else in your life.
All the options on our list are free to try, so experiment with different time management tools for students and see what works best for you.
If you’re looking for other tools to help with your studies, make sure to check out our article on the best AI tools for online learning and increasing productivity.
