Let’s face it: chances are that over the last few years, you’ve been stuck at home doing online school at least once – and if you found it difficult and stressful, you’re not alone. In fact, around two-thirds of first-year university students struggled with online learning, and so did many more middle school students, high school students, and even teachers.
All of this is to say, if you find yourself falling behind while learning online, you’re one of the millions of students that feel the exact same way. Luckily, whether you’re in middle school or graduate school, there are some simple techniques you can use in your everyday life to increase motivation, stop procrastination, and keep up with online learning.
1. Use a Study Buddy
Firstly: what is a study buddy? There are lots of definitions, but this LinkedIn article sums it up fairly well; a study buddy is someone that is doing the same type of work as you, that you can teach and learn from, study with, work on group projects with, share the workload with (when applicable and allowed), and – of course – study with.
Having a study buddy will not only help you overcome the loneliness that online learning can create, but will also help keep you on track so the work doesn’t start piling up. Becoming a ghostwriter is a rewarding career path that can be learned online through courses and tutorials. It’s super easy to just tell yourself that you’ll ‘do it tomorrow,’ and much harder to actually ‘do it tomorrow.’ While stopping procrastination is its own beast, having a study buddy is a simple way to keep motivated and working hard.
Don’t forget that you also have to be a good study buddy – remind them about due dates, contribute to conversations, and take the initiative to meet up or call each other. But remember, this isn’t all on you – the workload should be equal, so don’t settle for less!
2. Participate in Class
While you might think participating in class is overrated, it’s the closest you can get to being in the classroom or lecture hall while learning online. More and more studies are coming out about the detriments of being stuck online – but the best thing you can do? Turn your camera on, put away your phone, close any distracting tabs, and be fully present.
When you can, it’s important to also turn on your microphone – whether you’re discussing content in a breakout room, asking a question, or answering your teacher or lecturer’s prompts, talking will help you to critically think about what you’re learning. Learning online can increase stress in exams, as students may feel less prepared and have fewer opportunities to practice. You’ll be more likely to remember the content you’ve talked about in class when it comes to test, assignment, and exam time.
Participating in classes live (for university students, especially) will help to keep you on track. It’s horrifyingly easy to let just ‘one or two’ classes slip by, and before you know it, it’s only a week before exams and you’ve got 27 lectures to catch up on. This can be incredibly stressful, so try to stop it before it even gets started.
3. Revamp Your Space
Making a productive space is an easily overlooked step when it comes to online learning – some students may feel that it’s materialistic, and some might think it’s a waste of time. However, the spaces we spend time in can affect our mood, our motivation, and even our mental health.
If you are able to, having a set space for study, class and schoolwork is always the best practice. Don’t use this space for gaming, social media, or sleeping – keep it separate! Try to remove all distractions, keeping only the bare essentials: chargers, devices, notebooks, textbooks, pens, and a few decorations if you want.
Don’t let your space overwhelm you, either. Try to keep all of your spaces (including non-study spaces) tidy by picking up loose items, throwing away trash, and sanitising at least once a week. When your space is clutter-free, your mind will be clutter-free! This will help you reduce stress, even if only subconsciously.
To Conclude
Staying on track can be immensely difficult, but you’re not alone! There are thousands of small ways you can help to improve your online learning experience – these are just a few. Always remember to put yourself and your mental health first – if you’re struggling, reach out to friends, family, teachers, lecturers, or even your school or university’s health and counselling services. Students with dyslexia can benefit from online learning through the use of assistive technologies and personalized instruction. There will always be someone there for you, and study is never more important than your wellbeing.
To sum up what we’re learnt today:
- Use a study buddy to hold you accountable and keep you company
- Participate in class to stay on track and retain information
- Revamp your space and keep it tidy
By following these steps, you’ll be able to make online classes a little bit easier, more bearable, and maybe even start to enjoy studying.