We all know how hard the past year has been. Everyone’s lifestyle has changed drastically. For students, the switch to online learning was and is still far from easy. Going from regular school to online school in such a short period of time is a hard transition. Since they have to be more responsible for their studies, students have to change the way they learn.
There are so many ways to make online learning easier. From staying organized to taking breaks, it is crucial to know the best tips and tricks that will help you stay on top of the online school situation that most students are facing right now.
The Right Workstation
Organizing a workspace that is perfect for you is essential to be productive when learning at home. If you know that you need very little space, choosing a more compact desk might be better for your needs. However, if you prefer to spread your notes out, a more spacious workstation could be what you need. For some of us, having all our notes out when writing a paper or when studying for an exam is vital. No matter what, get yourself the perfect desk. For students, one of our smaller desks such as a desk shell is ideal. They aren’t too big, which means that they will fit in even the smallest rooms.
Another important thing to know if you’re setting up your workspace is that you must be comfortable. Get yourself a nice chair that will help your posture and relieve the tension in your body. Discomfort might build up if you’re constantly slouching. Try to remind yourself to sit straight more often.
You should also organize your space. We all know that a messy desk equals a messy mind. Knowing where your things are will help you stay on task. You should consider adding storage to your desk. This way, all your supplies and school papers will have their own spot. Staying organized is much easier when you have the space to do so.
It might also be a great idea to separate the place where you learn and where you entertain yourself. This trains your brain to know when it is time for school and when you can relax. This is also why learning from your bed might not be good. Your brain will find it harder to turn off when you’re going to bed since you stayed there all day.
Keep the Distractions Away
One of the hardest aspects of online learning is probably avoiding distractions. When you are at home, distractions are everywhere. Usually, when you’re physically in class, you can resist the temptation to play on your phone. During online school, it’s easy to just check your social media or play games during class… you’re alone after all.
Online school is also far less stimulating than in-person school. Not feeling like the teacher is really looking at you makes it harder to feel involved. The best tip, which might be hard to get the hang of, is to act as if your online class was an in-person class. Try to keep your phone somewhere you don’t have access to. Don’t stroll on various websites. What you wouldn’t do in person, don’t do at home.
If you still can’t stay on task on your own, there are plenty of other solutions out there. You can find some apps for your phone or extensions for your browser that keep you from going on certain websites. You are sure to find at least one that will help you stay productive during your online-learning days.
Get Your Schedule Ready
Of course, schedules are not for everyone. However, they could help you stay on top of all your due dates more efficiently. By having a schedule, you can hold yourself accountable if you hand something in late. Just like you should organize your space and your things, it is crucial that you organize your time as well.
Schedules are not just for knowing when your exams are, you can also use them to know when to do your things. Have you tried to-do lists? They are a great way to remember your tasks. Plus, when you check one of these tasks off, it is quite gratifying. It is pleasant to know that you are one step closer to being done with your work.
A good way to ensure that you never miss a class is to have different alarms for each of your projects. This way, you don’t necessarily have to know when your classes are. That’s one less thing to remember, so you can focus on other things.
Trying out time blocks might be another excellent way to plan your days. You can determine the moments when you need to be working. By doing that, your schedule will also show you the moments when you are free. You can then organize other socially distanced activities to enjoy in your free time.
Take a Break
We discussed how to be more efficient during online learning. There’s no doubt that these tips and tricks will help you stay productive. However, if all you do is study, you will get overwhelmed quickly. It is just as important to take breaks. If you concentrate on a paper or an exam for too long, you might get frustrated.
As we said, when you’re done with your learning time, you should do something different. Have you thought about going outside to exercise perhaps? Staying active can help your brain be more efficient when you need it most. It is ideal to get some fresh air whenever you can! Staying inside for long periods of time can be detrimental to your physical and mental health.
You should also try to stay in touch with your friends whenever you can. It might be hard right now to see them in person. That being said, there are many ways to socialize online, such as video chatting. Talking and hanging out with your loved ones when you can is important. You might find it easier to be productive during school if you know that studying isn’t all you do.
Online learning is no easy task. Most of us will do anything to make it even a little bit easier. These tips will help you become more productive when learning at home. They are the best way to successfully get through your online learning journey!
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