The Iglu Guide | Blog
7 top tips for studying online
Online learning has very much become the norm over recent years, with universities embracing the opportunity to reach students far and wide. But whilst it’s perfectly possible to achieve academic success in this way, many students find it difficult to stay motivated and focused on the task in hand. Here’s 7 top tips on how to maximise this learning opportunity, and take good care of yourself along the way.
1. Create a dedicated study space
Allocating an area of your room as a dedicated study space is extremely motivating. Make sure it is located in a quiet and well-lit space, with an ergonomic chair and all your study materials at hand. It needs to be well organised and distraction free so that when you are online, your thoughts are fully focused on learning. The more pleasant your study environment, the more you will want to be there. If you live in shared student accommodation, consider hanging a sign on your door that alerts your housemates to the fact that you are in a virtual lesson. You can also wear headphones for comfort.
Top tip: Make sure you choose a study area that has a reliable wi-fi connection
2. Establish a routine and stay on track
Getting the most out of your studies relies on having effective time management skills, as this is the best way to keep your academics on the right track. That means setting up a realistic routine that schedules in your online study periods, lectures, breaks and any recreational activities. Make the most of productivity tools such as Trello and Evernote to help organise your projects and assignments. Without this scheduled accountability, there is way too much temptation to just drift off into the middle distance especially while you’re online. It also makes it easy to procrastinate, and put off your studies until another time. Try extending out your routine to encompasses the whole day. Wake up and go to bed at similar times to get your body into a rhythm, something which will also help establish healthy habits for the future.
Top tip: Keep your study space tidy as it has been proven that your physical environment can impact your academic output!
3. Set yourself goals
Studying can sometimes feel overwhelming on a normal day, and if it’s all happening online it’s almost easier to embrace the anonymity and pretend it isn’t happening. That, however, won’t help your results! Help focus your thoughts by breaking down your workload and set yourself tasks in order of priority such as deadlines and importance. Many students benefit from using the SMART goal strategy which breaks bigger goals down into smaller and specific steps. Each step you achieve counts as progress towards a higher goal and helps keep you accountable.
Top tip: Use a to-do list, planner or online app to help you stay organised and on-task
4. Take regular breaks
Working online can feel much more tiring, particularly if you have to stare at a screen for long periods. Make sure you take regular breaks and practise self-care rituals, as this will also refresh your thinking in between study sessions. When you are studying online, consider using the Pomodoro technique which encourages a 5-minute break after every 25 minutes of study time. You can also set a timer to work within your own parameters, but when it’s time for a break it’s really important to get up, move around and move away from your screen. Be sure to keep a healthy diet and load up your plate with concentration-boosting foods, get plenty of exercise added into your day and aim for at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
Top tip: Pay attention to your self-care routine as the year goes on, and watch out for signs of stress particularly in the run up to exams.
5. Engage in online learning opportunities
It’s all too easy to sit back and let others do the heavy lifting when it comes to online studying. But in order to get the most out of the opportunity it’s really important to lean in and engage with the activity. Actively interacting with your peers and tutors can help you understand the material a whole lot better, and in turn this will help you stay motivated about your work.
- Make sure you participate in group discussions
- Use the chat function during lectures or seminars
- Utilise the Q&A sessions to gain more nuanced information
- After class, use online resources like the Khan Academy or Quizlet to supplement your learning
Top tip: Treat online learning as seriously as you would a face-to-face lecture or seminar – the staff are there to help, and they really want to hear from you!
6. Minimise distractions
Avoid distractions while you are studying online, or attending online classes. If you need to keep your phone nearby, try some of the following strategies:
- Turn off notifications for all social media
- Put on ‘Do Not Disturb’ for a set period of time
- Consider using apps that block particular websites during your study sessions
- Keep housemates aware of when you are studying online so that interruptions are minimal
During breaks, try to restrict your social media scrolling as this can lead to low moods and apathy when it comes to hitting the books.
Top tip: Use your breaks to catch up with friends in person. It’s the perfect opportunity to remind yourself of the benefits of the non-digital world.
7. Stay motivated – plan for the future
The benefit of online study is that it forces us to be more organised, and this should spill over into other aspects of your life keeping you focused, motivated and on track for success. Where you have a scheduled moment, try and think forward to the future and what you might need to equip you for the next stage. This might mean updating your resumé, applying for internships or doing some volunteer work.
Top tip: If you find peering into the future overwhelming, focus on the present and everything you have achieved so far. Think of uni as a series of stepping stones, and where you are right now is exactly where you’re meant to be.
