Practical tips to manage your time and learn effectively in any training seminar
Enrolling in a professional course is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. Yet, when the program is intensive—such as the Certificate in Digital Marketing (130+ hours)—and your daily life is filled with work and responsibilities, the first challenge is time management. With the right strategies, organization, and small practical tips, completing a demanding course becomes achievable.
Let's meet George L., a 35-year-old business owner working from 9:00 to 19:00. Despite his busy schedule, especially during seasonal peaks, George decided to join the Certificate in Digital Marketing program to enhance his skills and make his business more competitive. The program spans 132+ hours over 3–4 months, with live online sessions three times a week in the evenings, along with assignments, recorded lessons for review, assessment tests, and direct mentoring from instructors.
George successfully organized his time by setting clear goals: focusing on knowledge that would immediately impact his work. He created a realistic weekly schedule, attending live sessions as fixed appointments, dedicating Saturday mornings for reviewing material, and using spare hours during the week to watch recorded sessions for topics he found challenging. He also optimized small windows of time, like quick midday reviews, and adapted his study schedule to his own peak concentration periods.
To maintain focus, George minimized distractions by keeping his phone silent, participating actively in live classes, and informing friends and family of his study hours. He used techniques like Pomodoro for concentrated work intervals, took thorough notes, and completed regular assessment tests. He also engaged with the course community for support, exchanged ideas with peers, and maintained motivation by celebrating small achievements.
Additional strategies include creating a dedicated learning space, setting weekly progress checkpoints, integrating learning into daily tasks, using organizational tools like Trello or Notion, creating flashcards for key concepts, keeping a learning journal, prioritizing energy management, practicing “teach-back” methods, focusing on health, networking, updating your CV or LinkedIn, and actively asking questions.
Even with a demanding 140-hour program, consistent planning, participation in live sessions, and structured review make successful completion possible. The benefits go beyond knowledge and certification—they build confidence, skills, and the ability to manage time effectively for personal and professional growth.