How to handle a crazy course load

[defscarlett]

I'm taking a course at TESC, that is just way more work than what I've ever had to do before and I have no idea how to manage this load. Any suggestions would be amazing.

Each module at TESC (2 weeks) I have to:
Reading assignment: average 9 chapters from 2 books. chapters are approximately 40 pgs a piece
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum replies
Typed essay from a pre-written prompt. 3 pages plus all APA requirements, cover page, reference page etc
Quiz: Essay response 3-4 questions
Final: 15 page paper pre-written prompt

This is on top of a 2nd class I'm taking, which has more reasonable requirements of:
Reading Assignment: 2 chapters average 40 pgs
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum replies
2 Essays throughout the entire course 3-5 pgs
Final: 8-10 pg final paper

What's the worst course you've ever taken.

[sanantone]

How many different books do you have? At that rate, you should be finished with the typical textbook in a few weeks.

Graduate programs tend to require tons of reading. You quickly learn that you can't read everything thoroughly.

[defscarlett]

2 books for the first class that are THICK, just one for the 2nd class

[mrs.b]

For a year, I took three online courses each term and studied for three CBE exams, on top of full-time work and family needs. Each semester, I was sure I was going to drown in books and paper, go insane, or some combination therein. Each semester, I struggled for the first module or two, then settled into a rut where things became more manageable, but promised myself I'd go easier the next semester. Your heavy course sounds like Organizational Theory course; that one brought on tears a few times, particularly since I took it with two other upper-level courses (Operations Mgmt and Organizational Behavior). But, like all courses, it came to an end eventually.

As for how to manage it, here's my suggestions:

• Reading requirements: Like sanantone said, if you're supposed to read 180 pages every two weeks, there's little chance you'll be able to read and absorb every word while also taking care of other course obligations (and other courses). Learn the value of skimming. First sentence of each paragraph, bolded or highlighted definitions, summary of each chapter. As you do the assignments, thoroughly read those necessary sections (which you'll be able to identify after skimming through) to do the paper.
  
• Start your module papers at the beginning of the module so you've got the whole time allotment to do it as you move through the reading material. Try to turn these in as early in the week as possible.
  
• For the discussion boards, pick two days a week (for me, Monday and Thursday worked great); post your discussion topic response on Monday, then sign back in on Thursday to answer your classmates and that covers that.
  
• Save quizzes for last, particularly those requiring essays in a course with discussion boards. I had a couple courses like that, and found the course mentors/professors would drop tidbits that they liked to find mentioned in those quiz essays and you usually won't see them post until closer to the end of the week/module.
  
• Work on final papers as you move through the course. Do not save them for the end, and definitely do not save them for the final week. You never know what's going to come up to throw the best time-management plan into chaos towards the end of the course.
  

That's all I've got. Good luck! You'll get through it, I promise. Just don't procrastinate with courses like that. It's easy to get behind with heavy workloads, and it's very hard to get caught up.

[Devanna]

The worst course I've had thus far I'm actually taking right now. The workload itself isn't that bad actually, it's my professor that's making it hard.