The last four years have been a tough time to be studying at all levels, starting with Coronavirus, followed by strikes and then the RAAC investigation, may students have missed out on days of education and schools and universities have had to adapt to distance learning with the prospect of continued teaching via online platforms in some areas and the increase in students enrolling on online courses.
Planning is crucial and universities and schools are adapting fast to new learning landscapes, whilst preparing for longer-term distance learning options. Preparing for distance learning is important for both teachers and students.
In fact, it has opened up a whole range of options for both students and teachers alike. Flexible and hybrid learning options are now available in many academic institutions as a standard to assist students on their educational journey.
Staying focused at home isn’t as easy as it sounds. Procrastination is a major player in distance learning; it’s just way too easy to slack with snacks in the fridge, Xbox and bed.
For some, it might seem like the dream, rolling out of bed at 8:30 to just open their laptop to work whilst they eat some breakfast and stick the kettle on. For others, though, this is hellishly difficult and staying motivated is extremely hard.
Each to their own, there’s no right or wrong, but at some point, anyone can become demotivated and it’s best to be well-equipped with some tips for when motivation is low and distractions are high.
Morning rituals are a great strategy to get your day started on the right foot. Even though you’re in your own home, you can fly out of tMorning rituals are a great strategy to get your day started on the right foot. Even though you’re in your own home, you can fly out of the blocks and start the day with some zest and energy.
Morning routines should have 3 key elements:
Which order you put them in is down to you. Research suggests that a bit of exercise before eating breakfast is very healthy. It can boost fitness, and weight loss and enhance concentration. Wake up and try and do some stretches, star jumps, sit-ups and jogging on the spot – you might be surprised about how good you feel after.
You can then shower or eat breakfast in whatever order you like. Building a powerful morning routine can change your entire day. Use apps like Streaks to track your progress and set reminders to help keep you in check.
Don’t be tempted to work from your bed. This is bad for your posture and can easily lead to bad habits. The key to a good working-from-home routine, no matter what level of education or work you are in, is to separate your space. Not getting out of bed before you start studying or working can lead to bad habits down the line, such as staying up late, napping when you should be attending online lectures, turning on the TV or games console (if you have one in your room) and distracting yourself from your studies.
Our daily structures have changed hugely. It’s your time to build a routine that works for you. To some extent, your routine might be setIt’s your time to build a routine that works for you. To some extent, your routine might be set by what work you have to do, whether you’re attending e-lessons, lectures and seminars or have to do your work in your own time. If it’s the latter, it’s best to draw up a plan that will guide you through the tasks for the day.
Try writing a list with the following:
This will help keep you focussed on main objectives without letting side projects fall to the back of your memory.
Many online resources and apps are out there to help you plan your time effectively. Or perhaps you are a paper and pencil-type of planner. Why not get a daily planner or a wall planner and plan out your day? If you were at school, college, or university, then your day would be planned for you. Try using a similar technique for planning your day. Eg. An hour of one topic, a break and then move onto a different topic, making sure you plan in a full hour lunch break and time away from your desk or workspace to stretch and get those steps in.
If you struggle with concentration throughout the day when studying from home, why not try the Pomodoro Technique? This involves studying for 25 minutes at a time and then taking a 5-minute break. It allows you to break down study and ensures optimal concentration on a task.
Lack of study space can be a big issue. We build positive associations to work when we’re in an office space that we find comfortable and productive. A poor workspace, or none at all, will leave you feeling lethargic and distracted. Keep your workspace clear with no distractions. Your phone might be a tricky candidate here, and the fact your PC or laptop is a gateway to all manner of distractions. It’s a test of willpower.
Find a zen state where you don’t need to flick through social media every 5 minutes by closing apps and turning your phone off whilst limiting your browser to just essential windows. The longer you go without being distracted the more you can feel good about yourself.
Some devices now have built-in screen time limiters, which can be utilised to assist with keeping you on task. And apps such as Forest can help by keeping you focussed, present and on track without giving in to the distraction of your phone.
We rely on screens more nowadays than ever before. Nevertheless, you need to get into the habit of looking away for a few minutes, every 30 minutes or so if possible. You can couple this with a walk around the house, garden or other more intense forms of exercise.
And that doesn’t mean walking around the house with a phone!
Taking breaks from screens takes the strain off your eyes and gives them a well-earned break from blue light created by LEDs which has been shown to negatively impact our sleep.
A good desk routine whilst working is essential. Ensure you look away from your screen for around 20 seconds every 20 minutes to ensure you are not straining your eyes. Stand up, have a stretch, walk around the room, and perhaps go and get a glass of water or a cup of tea. These are all great ways of ensuring your body stays active, and you don’t burn out whilst studying.
You can still stay social with friends by chatting regularly, calling, and using video chat. Most online courses have the ability to interact with fellow students and tutors built in to ensure that you are not alone in your studies.
During the Coronavirus we all got good at online communication and socialising. It’s time to renew the habit! You may not get to see your classmates in person, but there is nothing stopping you from interacting with them online or perhaps setting up a weekly study session or online meet-up. Distance learning doesn’t have to be lonely. Try to connect with other students on your course; they will all be in the same boat as you and will likely welcome the chance to socialise.
Head straight into our next post so you don’t miss out on more helpful articles like Distance Learning: Has your Course Migrated Online?
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