Online learning is becoming an increasingly popular way of learning. It offers flexibility since people can decide what they study and when they want to learn. As a result, students can fit their education around their schedule.
However, the downside of online learning is that it can be difficult to concentrate. This is because most people learn from the comfort of their homes, meaning that they are not in a focused learning environment.
Learning online requires a ton of self-discipline and dedication. So if you want to be a more productive online school student, this guide will give you some valuable tips!
How To Be Productive During Online School
Participate in Classes
To increase your focus, it is recommended that you actively take part in your online classes. Otherwise, you will become easily distracted.
Active participation can include getting involved in class discussions and asking questions.
Moreover, you should use your microphone to speak or communicate via a group conversation. This way, you will engage with the material.
If you turn off your camera and microphone during online school, you likely won’t be able to benefit from the class. Though it can be intimidating, actively participating can be both incredibly simple and extremely beneficial.
Create a Working Environment
Studying from home can be tricky. After all, this is a space that you usually use for relaxation.
By making a specific space for your studies, you can become more productive. This is because it will help you to get into the studying mindset.
Find a specific room to work in. If you have a study or office, this will be the obvious place to conduct your online classes.
This space should be quiet and removed from any distractions. Preferably, it should contain a desk and office chair.
If you find it impossible to study at home, you can always relocate. For instance, you could take your school work to a local library.
Avoid doing work on your bed. Since most people associate their beds with sleep and relaxation, beds are far from suitable working spaces.
Remove Distractions
Distractions are numerous when studying at home. Perhaps the main distraction in your home is devices, such as smartphones. What’s intended as just a quick browse on your phone can end up wasting hours.
To prevent yourself from becoming distracted, it is best to identify and remove any disturbances from your study space.
It’s best to place your phone in another room so that you are not tempted to check it. Moreover, you should turn off any other devices, such as your television, and take a break from social media.
If you live with other people, this can also be an interruption to your studying. This is because people may want to have a quick chat, which can take up valuable studying time.
To prevent this, tell your housemates or family members not to disturb you during your class.
Make Notes
You don’t always have to contribute to a class discussion to actively participate. One of the best ways of actively absorbing information is by taking notes during class. These lecture notes can also be used later during your studies.
To make notes, all you will need is a notebook and a pen. Some people prefer to make notes on their devices. If this is the case, just make sure that you don’t become distracted by social media.
Refrain from doodling all over your notebook, as this will encourage you to draw during classes. Instead, your notebook should be kept as neat and organized as possible.
It’s okay for your notes to be a little scruffy, as you will likely have to write quickly if you want to keep up with your lecturer. Refer back to your notes when you are revising a topic at a later date.
Create a Study Schedule
Perhaps the primary reason why online school is so attractive is that it enables students to work around their schedules. This means that you can take classes whenever you want.
So if you have another commitment, such as a part-time job, you can juggle this alongside your online education.
The problem with this flexibility is that it can be difficult for students to motivate themselves.
It makes it challenging for students to actively study or complete homework assignments. After all, it’s incredibly easy to procrastinate when you have a flexible schedule.
As a result, it’s a good idea to create a schedule for your online learning. This can include organizing specific periods for studying and doing your homework.
When devising a schedule, make sure that you give yourself sufficient time to do everything.
Not only should you account for your classes and study periods, but you must also give yourself breaks. This is because these breaks will refresh your mind, thus making you a more effective student.
Some students may require a more flexible schedule. For instance, they may have a part-time job that requires them to work in shifts. Even so, a loose schedule can help motivate you and create a stable learning environment.
Listen to Music
Some people like to listen to music when they study because it helps them to concentrate. Others don’t! The reason for this is that some students find the music quite distracting.
As a consequence, you should simply do what works best for you!
The reason why some students enjoy listening to music is that it is soothing. Furthermore, music can put people in a better mood, thus improving their memory. In addition, music can enhance a student’s endurance.
However, there are also some disadvantages to listening to music. This includes that loud music can negatively impact a person’s concentration. Plus, listening to music may limit a person’s ability to absorb information.
If you intend to listen to music when studying, it is recommended that you avoid music with lyrics. This is because these lyrics are distracting. You should also opt for a low volume, as this might hamper the thought process.
Instead, you should select music without lyrics and play it at a quiet volume. Classical music has been proven to aid studying. Moreover, you might want to select an instrumental song.
If at any point this music starts to distract you, simply turn it off so that you can be more productive during your studies.
Utilize Productivity Apps
If you have problems with productivity, it might be worth downloading a productivity app.
Some of the best apps that you can try are:
- Todoist
- Beeminder
- Evernote
- Freedom
While some of these apps are designed to increase focus, other apps study apps can be used to organize your study schedule.
Just bear in mind that phones can be distracting. Therefore, it is best not to spend too much time on your phone.
These apps will enable you to schedule your time. Plus, some of these apps can be used to measure your activity. As a result, you will be held accountable for your studying.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
In stressful studying situations, students can sometimes neglect their mental health. Unfortunately, online school can be tough because it can impact your mental health.
This is likely due to the stress of study and its isolated nature. To be a productive student, you must take steps to take care of yourself. Doing so will reduce your feelings of burnout.
Burnout is the feeling of being emotionally drained and exhausted. This sensation occurs when you feel stressed over a long period of time. It is usually caused by stressful working environments.
To ensure that you are taking care of your mental health, it is advised that you get plenty of sleep (between 7 and 9 hours every night) and maintain a blanched diet. You should also try to exercise regularly.
Plus, you should reward yourself when you’ve worked hard. This reward can come in numerous forms, such as spending time on one of your favorite hobbies.
If you feel that your exhaustion is hampering your studies, it’s best to take a break from them.
Join a Study Group
Though online schooling can be massively beneficial, one of the disadvantages of this type of education is that you will have limited social interaction. After all, you aren’t studying in a traditional brick-and-mortar school.
By joining a study group, you can meet new people and make friends. Not to mention, it is easier to overcome procrastination by joining one of these groups. You can also cover any gaps in your lecture notes.
To set up a study group, you should contact your fellow students. You may want to set up a group chat on a social media platform, such as Instagram, Facebook, and Linkedin.
Closing Remarks
Online schools can be a great way of learning new skills and becoming a more educated individual.
Despite the numerous advantages that online learning offers, the main disadvantage of this type of learning is that it’s difficult to be productive.
To make the most of online learning, simply follow the above tips so that you can become an effective student!
