Taking classes remotely can be super convenient — after all, there's no commute to campus, and you can show up in your pajamas without raising eyebrows. At the same time, it's hard figuring out how to stay focused for online classes. There are so many potential distractions, from roommates to pets to snacks in the kitchen.
So, how do you stay focused on online work? Here are five tips to help set yourself up for successful online learning.
1. Eliminate Distractions
When you're working remotely, so many things are competing for your attention. That's why you need to put yourself in a place that's isolated from distractions. Choose a good space that's removed from other activities in your house or apartment to use as your work zone.
Once you've picked your spot, make it clear to anyone who lives with you that this is your place to focus. Help yourself concentrate by clearing the workspace of anything that might distract you, whether that's a TV or another electronic, extra papers lying around on a desk or even a basket of laundry.
2. Stick to Your Normal Schedule
Online classes are challenging because you don't have an enforced schedule to keep you working at a good pace. To help yourself be more productive, develop a schedule that works for you, and then stick to it.
Try to follow a normal schedule that you'd use if you were going to campus every day. Get dressed, eat breakfast and get started on classwork at consistent hours. When you get to the end of the day, set a time that you're going to be done and give yourself time to relax, too.
3. Open Only What You Need
As you work, keep open only the textbooks and notebook you need for that one assignment. Also, remember to only open the browser tabs and documents on your computer that you actually need at that time. Instead of dividing your attention across several tasks, try to focus on just that one task until you've finished it.
4. Split Up Your Work
Rather than stressing yourself more by creating unattainable goals like "I'm going to write this entire paper tonight," split your work into manageable chunks. Think through each step for your assignments and make each of those steps a task you can accomplish and check off. Looking at your work in pieces instead of all at once will make it seem less overwhelming and intimidating. You'll be able to focus better and feel more confident.
5. Develop a Study Routine
Get yourself into the mindset to focus and study for set blocks of time. When you start an hour of focused work, for example, find a study ritual that works for you. It could be something like turning on study music or jotting down a goal in your notebook — whatever helps you most.
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