2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This mixed-methods study explores the time management challenges encountered by online students in higher education, focusing on how these challenges vary across demographic groups such as age, gender, ethnicity, and educational background. As online course enrollments continue to grow, it is essential to understand these challenges to design effective instructional interventions that improve the educational experience. Data were collected through quantitative surveys (n=59) and qualitative, semi-structured interviews (n=4) to investigate students' experiences, strategies, and obstacles to time management in online learning environments. The study identified six factors that significantly affect online students' time management skills: (1) lack of sufficient time management training, (2) challenges in balancing school, work, and personal life, (3) limited knowledge of effective time management strategies, (4) inadequate planning, (5) insufficient self-assessment or self-reflection, and (6) a tendency toward procrastination. Results reveal significant variations in time management practices across demographic groups of students. Adult learners and students from diverse ethnic backgrounds faced distinct challenges related to work-life balance, familial responsibilities, and resource accessibility, which hindered their ability to allocate sufficient time for online coursework. Consequently, these challenges often lead to procrastination and reduced engagement in learning activities. These findings underscore the complex interplay of time management skills with demographic factors and emphasize the need for tailored support services and interventions that address the unique needs of diverse student populations. The study recommends that educators implement proactive time management training, provide technical support, and the development of a supportive learning environment before the commencement of online courses. Furthermore, future research should evaluate the effectiveness of specific interventions, such as a three-hour workshop on time management skills for online students prior to the start of courses, measuring their impact on completion rates and exam performance. Addressing these challenges is crucial for enhancing academic outcomes and improving the overall experience of online students.