Oche Gbemi
Unlike studying in a classroom with peers, learning online requires a bit of discipline that can sometimes be difficult to manage. This can affect your productivity and grades.
The same can be said for distance learning, which is done without the presence of a teacher to guide you through the lesson.
Here are 5 helpful tips you can follow if you feel like you need to become more productive in your online studies.
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Table of Contents
1. Stick to a schedule
Since by learning online you can usually access classes 24/7, it can be tempting to put off your studies for later in the day or even take classes from the comfort of your bed.
But no matter how appealing this may seem, it’s always best to stick to a routine, one that mirrors your day in class as closely as possible. Set aside some time to sit down and create a schedule, blocking out an appropriate period of time for each subject you need to study. There is no point in leaving a 4-hour window for a subject, as you are likely to burn out and find it difficult to retain knowledge, which will have a negative impact on productive learning.
It’s also important to leave breaks in your schedule to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Allow time during the day for lunch or a short walk, to get away from your computer screen and relax.
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2. Create a study space
Instead of studying in your bed, in your living room, or in the kitchen, find some space (maybe inside your bedroom) to focus on your distance learning. This will get you out of more distracting environments, like a busy living room.
3. Take notes the traditional way
Recent research suggests that you are more productive and retain concepts much better if you take notes with a pen and paper rather than typing them on your computer. That’s because when you’re working from a laptop, you tend to type sentences exactly as they come to you, rather than breaking them down into simpler, more digestible language like you would when taking notes by hand.
Working on a notebook also takes away distractions; you’ll be less likely to switch between internet browser windows during the lesson, allowing you to learn online more effectively.
4. Listen to music while studying
Of course, you won’t be able to listen to music while you’re in the middle of an online conference, but music can be a fantastic aid to your study outside of class. In fact, research has shown that the right genre of music can lead to more productive learning; classical music is well known for this, as it lacks distracting lyrics. Many people think that classical music also improves brain activity and relieves stress at the same time.
Video game music is also a great choice for studying, as it has been composed specifically to enhance the gaming experience, not hinder it. If you play video games in your spare time, you’ll notice that the background music is always there, but it doesn’t take you away from your goal while you’re in the game; sometimes it actually encourages you to keep going.
5. Time yourself
If you find that your mind wanders throughout your study day, a timer may be just what you need to stay focused on when learning the line. Knowing that you’re timing what you’re doing is actually an effective tool that can increase productivity, rather than looking at a clock from time to time and giving yourself.
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At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that it’s not always possible to be productive in school; there are some distractions in the home, like children and pets, that can’t always be avoided. However, using whatever time you can find will be far more beneficial to your studies than forcing yourself to sit in a chair for hours on end feeling frustrated.
