10 Time Management Tips for Online Learners

Master your schedule and succeed in your counselling education journey

The Reality of Adult Learning: You’re Not Alone

Picture this: It’s 11 PM, your kids are finally asleep, you’ve finished the dishes, and you’re staring at your laptop knowing you have a case study due tomorrow. Sound familiar?

You’re part of a growing movement. Over 68% of counselling students in Canada are adult learners juggling education with full-time jobs, family responsibilities, and life’s endless demands. At VCCT, 73% of our distance education students are working professionals who chose to pursue their counselling dreams without putting their lives on hold.

The challenge is real, but so is the solution. With the right time management strategies, you can successfully complete your counselling education while maintaining your sanity and relationships. Here’s how hundreds of VCCT graduates have done it – and how you can too.

10 Time Management Tips That Actually Work

1. Create “Sacred Study Hours” (Non-Negotiable Time Blocks)

Treat your study time like a medical appointment – you wouldn’t skip it, reschedule it last minute, or let others interrupt it. Block out 2-3 specific time slots per week and protect them fiercely.

Best times for counselling students: Early morning (5-7 AM) or late evening (9-11 PM) when interruptions are minimal and your mind can focus on complex topics like psychopathology or case analysis.

2. Use the “Pomodoro Technique” for Intensive Reading

Counselling coursework involves heavy reading – from understanding cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to learning about trauma responses. Break your reading into 25-minute focused sessions with 5-minute breaks.

Why it works: Your brain retains more information in shorter, focused bursts than during marathon study sessions. Perfect for courses like Introduction to Psychopathology where you need to absorb complex diagnostic criteria.

3. Batch Similar Learning Activities

Group related tasks together to maximize your mental efficiency:

• Theory Days: Focus on readings and conceptual learning
• Practice Days: Work on case studies and skill applications
• Writing Days: Complete assignments and reflection papers
• Review Days: Study for exams and consolidate knowledge

4. Master “Micro-Learning” Sessions

Don’t underestimate 15-minute pockets of time. Use them for:

• Reviewing counselling ethics guidelines during lunch
• Listening to mental health podcasts during commutes
• Practicing active listening techniques with family members
• Reading one journal article while coffee brews

5. Apply Counselling Skills to Your Own Time Management

Use the same skills you’re learning for clients on yourself:

• Self-awareness: Notice when you’re most productive
• Goal setting: Break large assignments into manageable steps
• Mindfulness: Stay present during study sessions instead of worrying about everything else
• Self-compassion: Don’t beat yourself up for imperfect days

6. Create a “Study Sanctuary” Space

Your environment affects your learning. Designate a specific area for coursework that signals “focus mode” to your brain. This is especially important when studying sensitive topics like trauma counselling or addiction recovery – you need a space that feels safe and contained.

7. Use Technology Strategically

Apps that help counselling students:

• Calendar blocking for study sessions
• Note-taking apps for organizing case study materials
• Recording apps for practicing counselling responses
• Focus apps to block social media during study time

Digital boundaries: Turn off notifications during study hours. Your future clients deserve your full attention in training.

8. Implement “Energy-Based Scheduling”

Match your energy levels to your coursework:

• High energy: Tackle complex theories, write major assignments
• Medium energy: Review notes, organize materials, lighter readings
• Low energy: Administrative tasks, planning, email responses

Mental health consideration: Honor your emotional capacity. Don’t schedule heavy trauma coursework on days when you’re already emotionally drained.

9. Build in “Life Happens” Buffer Time

Add 25% extra time to every estimate:

• If reading should take 2 hours, block 2.5 hours
• Submit assignments 24-48 hours before deadlines
• Plan catch-up time each week for unexpected challenges

Counsellor mindset: You’re learning to hold space for others’ unpredictability – start by holding space for your own.

10. Connect with Your “Why” Daily

When motivation dips (and it will), remember why you started:

• The clients you’ll help overcome anxiety and depression
• The families you’ll support through crisis
• The addiction recovery journeys you’ll guide
• The positive impact you’ll have on your community’s mental health

Practical tip: Keep a photo or quote about your counselling goals visible in your study space.

The Financial Reality: What Counsellors Actually Earn in Canada

Let’s talk numbers – because your time investment should lead to financial stability.

Canadian Counsellor Salary Ranges (2024):

• Entry Level: $45,000 – $55,000 annually
• Experienced (3-5 years): $65,000 – $85,000 annually
• Senior/Specialized: $80,000 – $120,000+ annually
• Private Practice: $75 – $150+ per hour

Growth Outlook: The counselling field shows 2.0% annual growth (higher than the national average), with 33,300 new job openings projected through 2033. Canada faces a moderate to strong labour shortage in mental health professionals.

Regional variations:

• British Columbia: $62,000 – $90,000 average
• Ontario: $58,000 – $88,000 average
• Alberta: $60,000 – $85,000 average

Factors affecting salary:

• Specialization (addiction, trauma, couples therapy)
• Work setting (private practice vs. community agencies)
• Additional certifications and training
• Years of experience

Sources: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS), Job Bank Canada, PayScale Canada

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Remember: The time management skills you develop as a student will serve you throughout your counselling career. Learning to balance multiple clients, documentation, self-care, and continuing education starts with mastering your study schedule now.

References 

Association of Canadian Community Colleges. (2023). Student Success in Online Learning: A National Study. Retrieved from https://www.accc.ca 

Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. (2024). Adult Learning Trends in Professional Programs. Retrieved from https://www.cifar.ca 

Canadian Occupational Projection System – ESDC. (2024). Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies. Government of Canada. Retrieved from https://occupations.esdc.gc.ca/sppc-cops/occupationsummarydetail.jsp?tid=194&lang=eng 

Canadian Professional Counsellors Association. (2024). 2024 Salary Survey Report. Retrieved from https://cpca-rpc.ca 

Indeed Canada. (2024). Counselor salary in Canada. Retrieved from https://ca.indeed.com/career/counselor/salaries 

Job Bank Canada. (2024). Mental Health Counsellor in Canada – Job prospects. Government of Canada. Retrieved from https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/2254/ca 

Online Learning Consortium. (2024). Distance Education Enrollment Report 2024. Retrieved from https://onlinelearningconsortium.org 

PayScale Canada. (2025). Average Mental Health Counselor Salary in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Mental_Health_Counselor/Salary 

Statistics Canada. (2024). Postsecondary enrolments, by registration status, institution type, age group and gender. Retrieved from https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects-start/education_training_and_learning 

Talent.com. (2024). Counselling Salary in Canada. Retrieved from https://ca.talent.com/salary?job=counselling