Dr. Troy Glassman Shares with Students Insights on Time Management and Life Balance

By Dr. Troy Glassman (MAJ), Professor of Military Science (ROTC), Adjunct Faculty for the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business

Rangers Lead The Way…I have the distinct privilege to serve as the Professor of Military Science (ROTC) and as an adjunct faculty for the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business at Florida Tech. I am honored to serve in this dual role because of the power of online education and its impact on today’s soldiers.

I have many years within the on-line (distance learning) community. The majority of these years have been in the student mode, so I fully understand the pressures and difficulties that you may encounter. Also, I have been an advocate for on-line educational opportunities for over 14 years because of its incredible impact to soldiers, families, and others that have limited access to traditional brick and mortar institutes.

Some background information, so you understand how I think: (See my profile)

Again, I hope that you were able to read through the background about myself so you have a better understanding of how I think and why I stress the importance of time management. As you can see…I have a busy life and still have found time to achieve advanced degrees and remain personally / professionally balanced.

One of the first pieces of advice I give to all online students (or those thinking about taking online courses) is to develop a plan early for the time management and life balance. There are numerous books and articles written about this particular topic, but the reality is that there is no special code or means to do this. It’s truly up to each one of you to make a personal commitment to successful achieve the task at hand. I do have some suggestions that will assist in this endeavor that I would like to share:

I. Time Management and Balance are CRITICAL. It’s easy to put off assignments, come up with excuses, find something better to do; the list can go on and on. Those that are successful are able to create a plan that works for them.

• My suggestion is to block off some time each day to focus on your class work: This can be 30 minutes in the morning, at lunch, or in the evening. These small blocks of time are easier to manage than expecting to work a couple of hours a few times a week. It’s really up to you, your learning style, and how much time you need to complete your assignments.
• Make attending class part of your routine. I find that logging into class and just reading through the discussions on a daily basis assists me to better understand the course material. Each person brings about a different viewpoint and expertise to the task at hand. This is one of the special aspects of an on-line education.

Something I do is print the on-line threaded discussions and read during my lunch or on any free time during the day. I then jot down notes/responses on the printed questions and type them when I get home. This cuts down on the amount of time I need to be logged into the class, ensures a better response since I have time to think about what I want to say, and allows me to maximize my time. It’s just one technique of many…

II. Here are some additional suggestions to assist you:

• Join or develop a Support Group. You can also get an “on-line buddy or mentor” to work with.
• When you are working on your class work, do not “surf” the web. I know logging into Facebook is tempting, but make all efforts not to do this. A simple “Facebook Drive-by” becomes posting pictures, seeing your friends’ status, chatting, and similar…You see my point here.
• Keep up or ahead of the assignments. Do not allow yourself to fall behind. If you do find yourself in this situation, immediately contact the professor. A simple email or phone call can resolve the issue immediately. Bad news does not getter with time…
• Stay motivated! Do not get discouraged. You may receive a grade, feedback, or similar that you do not agree with. Take the advice that comes with the assignment and improve upon with your next work.
• Be persistent! Be careful not to procrastinate!
• Read through the assignments, instructions, and details of the task at hand. Ensure that if the question(s) asks for certain items or calls for certain formatting that you follow this.
• Stay involved!
• Have fun!

I wish you the best on this endeavor and know you will do an amazing job!

Dr. Glassman (MAJ)

Motivation will almost always beat mere talent. – Norman R. Augustine

Profile Information:

I began my military career in 1984 at 17 years of age. Over the past 27 years of service, I spent 12 years enlisted achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) and served the majority of my enlisted time with Airborne Rangers (1/75th Ranger) and Ranger Training Brigade (Desert Phase of Ranger School) as a combat medic. In 1996, I was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate at Officer Candidate School (OCS) and selected to serve as Quartermaster Officer (Logistician). I hold a Bachelors of Arts degree in Business Administration from St. Leo University (Summa Cum Laude), Masters of Science in Logistics Management from Florida Tech, and PhD in Organization and Management from Capella University. Also, I am recognized as a Demonstrated Master Logistician through the International Society of Logistics (SOLE) and U.S. Army Logistics Management College.

I have served the majority of my military career within the Special Operations Community with highlighted units such as the Rangers, Special Operations Support Battalion (Airborne), Special Operations Support Command, and Special Operations Command. My combat experiences have spanned Afghanistan and Iraq.

Highlights of my military education and awards include: Command and General Staff College (ILE), Logistics Executive Development Course, Quartermaster Officer Basic Course (Honor Graduate and Leadership Award), Officer Candidate School (Distinguished Military Graduate), Special Forces Medical Sergeant’s Course, Airborne School, Ranger School, Military Freefall Course, Jumpmaster Course, SERE School, and Aerial Delivery Management Officer’s Course. I have been awarded the Bronze Star Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), Expert Field Medical Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Parachute Rigger Badge, and Ranger Tab. My foreign decorations include the Royal Thai and Jordanian Airborne Wings.

In addition to my military experience, I have taught or developed numerous online classes to include: Organizational Behavior, Management Theory and Thought; Organizational Communication; Interpersonal Relations and Conflict Resolution; Leadership Theory and Effective Leadership; Business Supply Chain Management; Principles of Management; Applied Management I and II; and Organizational Behavior and Group Dynamics.

None of the above would be possible without an amazing support team. I have been married for 25 ½ years to my soul mate and best friend Naomi. We have three children Destinee (CPT Medical Services Corps, Army Officer), Ryan (PFC, Army Enlisted), and Mei-Mei (2 years old). Also, we have two grandchildren (Aiden and Landon).