8 Tips for Staying Productive While Studying Online

Since the pandemic started, the popularity of online learning increased; even though it is not a new concept, many people began noticing the many benefits it brings; flexible schedules, uncountable study options, and even lower prices. However, many people discovered that not everything is rosy since being at home meant that they could easily get distracted with everyday chores such as laundry, cooking, cleaning, or even lazing around the house.

If you are someone who can relate to the perks of online learning but to the fact that you can easily get distracted too, here are some tips that can help you stay productive while studying from the comfort of your home.

Set up a dedicated learning space

To concentrate on your studies fully, you should have a designated space to be free from distractions to help you focus. The ideal area should be in a quiet room, comfortable enough for sitting during your whole class or session, and good lighting. Comfortable furniture is also perfect when it comes to studying from home; if your budget and space allow it, make sure you get yourself an ergonomic chair and a desk.

Set goals

To reach your goals, you need to establish them first. Ask yourself the following questions:

What are you looking to achieve with online learning?

When do you have the most time to invest in your studies?

When do you want to start?

After you determine the following questions, make sure you get enrolled in your desired program, stick to your schedule and choose a deadline for when you want to complete the course or finish your degree. When creating your plan, don’t forget to take breaks into account; this will help your mind and body to stay healthy; enjoy lunch with your friends or family, take a walk with your dog or by yourself and treat yourself to coffee or going to the movies whenever you reach a goal.

Limit your distractions

Even though it’s impossible not to get distracted by your surroundings (especially while at home), it’s possible to minimize distractions. If you know your smartphone might be the primary source of losing focus, try to mute it in class so you won’t be anxious about having notifications and not checking them. If this still won’t work, try putting it aside or in airplane mode for a few hours. On another note, if you get distracted by your laptop, close any tabs that are not related to your studies.

Concentrating for an extended period can be challenging; try using time management systems such as the Pomodoro Technique, where you entirely focus for 25 minutes, have a 5-minute break, and concentrate again for another 25 minutes. These intervals are called Pomodoro, and after about four Pomodoro, you can take a more extended break of about 15 to 20 minutes.

Update your technology

Online learning requirements can be demanding; make sure your internet connection is up to speed and the device you use (either your laptop, tablet, computer, or smartphone) is updated regularly to avoid any annoying sudden updates.

If your budget allows it, upgrade your current device to one that meets all the tech requirements: high-quality speakers so you can hear all of your classes (and some good music, why not), a crisp and bright screen so that’s it’s easy to see, high RAM to ensure your device works fast enough, and ample storage so you can safely save all of your projects.

Take notes during class

Studying for a test might be hard for some people, especially when they do not take proper notes during class. According to some studies, laptop note-taking is less effective for learning than longhand note-taking; thus, it’s essential that when you take notes during your course, you do it by writing things down. Many ways can help you keep your notes organized;

You can also use different notebooks for each subject, try to incorporate various colours with pens, crayons, markers, washi tapes, and highlighters, use a binder and separate different sections with tags or labels. You can also ask your teacher if it’s possible for you to record each class so you can go back and watch it later.

Exercise

Your body needs to be as active as your mind is to stay productive. Try to practice any physical activity during your studies; you can take a walk, practice some yoga or meditation, bike instead of using the car, walk your dog, or take a morning run. By exercising, you stimulate your muscles, which will help you stay motivated during the day.

Ask for feedback

Whenever you feel like you need someone to review your progress, don’t be afraid to reach out to your teacher, it’s good to know if you’re on the right track or something you should modify. If the latest was the case, don’t get discouraged, you can also ask your instructor for more feedback on which areas may need improvement and why they think you should change them.

Tip: Teachers are most than happy to help you even when it’s not class time, so don’t be shy and give it a try!

Practice self-care

Taking care of yourself might be easy to forget, especially when you have so many papers to turn in or exams to study for; mental health is as important as physical health, so don’t forget to give yourself a break. Not skipping meals and following a healthy diet are great ways to look after yourself.

Furthermore, try to sleep as much as possible so you can have an active mind and plenty of energy the next day. Also, avoid multitasking as much as possible since it might generate more stress and burnout worse by being unable to finish many tasks while doing them all simultaneously, rather than focusing instead on one task at a time.

By taking good care of yourself, it will be easier to be productive and motivated while online learning. Don’t forget the many benefits online learning has, from studying from the comforts of your home to having a flexible schedule that suits your lifestyle. You can be as productive as if you went to a physical class if you take the proper measures and truly commit. Don’t forget to take breaks and reward yourself for achieving your goals and limiting your distractions as much as possible! You can also read our blog on tips for preparing for studying abroad.