Photo courtesy of iStockphoto, Bart Coenders

Learning how to set a personal schedule is one of the most difficult challenges online learners face. Many virtual colleges have lax deadlines, allowing students the flexibility to learn at their own pace. However, when faced with work routines, family obligations, and other obstacles, far too many students fail to complete their coursework all together.

Pick the Brain recently published a useful article called How to Stay Productive When You Make Your Own Schedule. They explain:

"Studying for exams, freelance contracts or working on bigger projects can mean freedom with your schedule. But it can also mean procrastination, stress from deadlines and an organizing nightmare. Working on your own schedule can be easier. However, there are more ways to waste your time if you aren't being paid by the hour...

Whenever you start a new project, start taking classes again, or simply run into a block of flexible work time, you will need to set up a schedule. A good schedule is one that accomplishes the work you need to do and you actually stick to it. Unfortunately many people forget the second step and make impossible schedules that would require a machine to follow."

If personal scheduling is a challenge for you, take a look at the full article for a handful of useful tips.