If you’re one of the many students who are now learning remotely, you may be feeling overwhelmed. How can you stay on top of your studies when you’re not in a traditional classroom setting?
You must study, attend virtual classes, compose an opinion paper and some good essays, and complete homework on your own time if you want to succeed in an online education program. In order to avoid falling behind, you’ll need to be disciplined about how you spend your time throughout the day.
Here are 7 tips to help you better manage your remote studying:
1. Get organized
When you were in a classroom setting, it was easy to know what you were supposed to be working on. Now that you’re learning remotely, you need to be self-motivated.
Set goals
Defining goals will help steer you in the right direction. Think about topics that are coming up soon. You may also want to consider setting short- and long-term educational goals.
Create schedules
Being a remote student allows you to work around your lifestyle, so it’s easy to get stuck in a rut or to fall into a late-night Netflix binge routine. When you’re learning remotely, it’s even more important to have a schedule — and stick to it! — than when you were in class. Set a schedule for schoolwork, self-improvement activities, and social time.
Have a consistent routine
You now have more flexibility with your daily schedule, but this can also lead to inconsistency and cause your schoolwork to suffer. Stick to a consistent routine as much as possible.
Make study sessions consistent
In class, you might have had three study sessions per week. But now that you’re learning remotely, it might take three weeks to get together for that one big study session. Try to meet on a regular basis —say, twice a week — to review the material. Make it a priority.
2. Adjust to online lectures
It is essential to realize that online lectures are just lectures and content provided in a different format. Listen to them as if they were a normal lecture, and if you’re watching a tape, try to watch it at a normal pace. Hitting the pause button too frequently may cause you to become easily sidetracked. Understanding the material should be your top focus, above anything else.
Make notes
Observe your classmates’ note-taking techniques, such as keyword or hierarchical organization. Also, be sure to write down the key points from lectures and use these notes to outline major concepts for studying.
Highlight key information
Your textbook might have hundreds of pages, so how do you make sure you cover the important stuff? Before studying, create highlighted lists that group related information by chapter. This technique can help facilitate memory retention.
Organize your materials
Use a system that works for you but helps you avoid document and folder overload. For example, you may want to separate your notes and documents into different folders and files based on a topic; or you may prefer to use an organizational app, such as Evernote or note-taking apps like Notability or a file storage app like Dropbox or Google Drive. Or you can use a system of color-coded highlighters and markers.
3. Manage your environment
Find a space that is comfortable but still allows you to focus.
Create a home study area — no distractions!
Tell friends and family that you need to get some work done and ask them not to bother you. Shut down your phone and tell yourself that you’re not going to check social media or email until you finish your work for the day. If you have a limiting belief that you need to check all the time, write it down and tear it up as a visualization tool to help you let it go.
Go to the library — and take advantage of designated study spaces.
Library buildings are some of the largest buildings on college campuses, and they can be found on virtually every college campus — even those that are distance learning schools.
Study rooms are often designated for students taking regular, in-person classes, and some libraries have them as well. Schedule time for studying at a fixed time each day and hold yourself to it. If a study room is full or doesn’t fit your needs, try a library study table — they’re usually reserved for students taking online classes.
Meet up with friends or family members for study time
Humans are social creatures, so meeting up with friends or family can help combat loneliness and give you a change of scenery — and maybe some extra brainpower.
4. Set limits on computer time
Internet search engines are a great resource for finding information and studying the dossiers of important figures from history. They’re also a great way to build vocabulary and learn new words that can be applied to other parts of life. However, limiting the amount of time spent on them is important. Too much time spent online can lead to isolation and loneliness and can negatively impact mental and physical health.
As a student now learning remotely, you have access to your classes online — and everything else on the Internet. It’s easy to get distracted when you’re on the computer, so keep yourself accountable by imposing limits. Establish a schedule for when you’ll be working on assignments or a block of time dedicated just to study.
Create boundaries for social media and gaming
Just as you might have imposed limits on time spent on the computer, you may also need to establish limits for gaming and social media. When you have time to spend scrolling through Instagram, it’s easy to get caught up in the world of #celebrity #living #the #best #life. It can be tough, but if you want to achieve your academic goals, you need to have discipline.
Use apps to limit time spent online
You can also use apps like FB-lock, StayFocusd, or SelfControl to keep you away from social media and sites that may distract you from your work. You can even set a schedule for social media access at designated times of the day. Another tool is Ommwriter, which limits writing to a set time period. You can also try using the Chromium browser, which blocks ads and allows you to freeze sites.
5. Communicate with your lecturers and classmates
Whether you work with an adviser, mentor, or peer mentor, getting some outside perspective can help you set goals and manage your time effectively.
Encourage group study
Working together will help reinforce the key points and help all students learn the material. Often, one student knows something the others don’t and can serve as the “helper” in the group. Allow leaders to emerge and provide guidance and insight to other students.
Work one-on-one with a tutor
Whether online or in-person, a tutor can help you stay on track and arrange your studies in a way that works best for you. Tutors can also help you learn the material in a way that is comfortable for you.
6. Reward yourself
After you’ve finished some homework or a series of lectures, allow yourself a little reward s — but don’t splurge! Keep it light and celebrate small accomplishments. Go for a walk, have a treat or spend some time doing a hobby you love.
7. Get enough sleep
Sleep is a critical component of learning and memory formation. Ensure you get enough sleep each night — seven to nine hours — so you are alert and able to learn the new activities and responsibilities of adulthood.
There are plenty of challenges that come with remote studying, but there are also plenty of ways to overcome them! Make a study schedule and stick to it. This will ensure that you’re making the most of your study time and not letting things fall through the cracks. Get plenty of rest and exercise. It’s important to take care of your body and mind when you’re studying, so make sure you’re getting enough sleep and staying active.