3 Tips on Studying Online

Before the pandemic, studying meant going physically to the library, school, or educational institution such as academia, cram school, course, or college. However, after the pandemic, we no longer need to travel to those places to study physically - we can now learn online from the comfort of our homes! Nevertheless, many things may distract us when we study from our house. How, then, can we maximize our online learning process?

But before we get down to the list, do not forget to like ❤️👍 this post and subscribe 🔔 as this will help the channel grow! Also, feel free to share this link with anyone who might also struggle with studying online.

With that being said, let's check these tips out!

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I am an online student; I study for my Bachelor in Divinity and my Master of Secondary Education at American universities from the comfort of my home in Indonesia. I learn three languages: Spanish, Greek, and Korean, through online courses as well. Moreover, I am also tutoring part-time in an online Japanese language school and working full-time in an online or e-Learning Department under the L&D section in an Indonesian school.

Below I list three simple tips that I find helpful for me and I hope can help you too:

1. Follow a Clear Schedule

A clear plan for your day will help keep you from getting distracted. Try making a list of the things you want to do each day and when you will do them to help you focus and commit to the schedule the way you would do your job. You can use your school or university schedule as a template for you to make your study session, but make sure you also adjust the length of studying times and breaks – the longer you go without a break, the worse you get at what you're doing (Good Colleges, 2021).

Research has found that you should take a 17-minute break every 52 minutes of work done. Other technique, such as Pomodoro, suggests a 5-minute break for every 25 minutes of work done.

You can also time-block your schedule so you know what workload is coming in the weeks ahead, commit to making your online coursework part of your weekly routine, and set reminders for yourself to complete these tasks (Northeastern University, 2020). I like to use Google Calendar as it syncs across all of my devices, making it easy for me to check my schedule anywhere I go.

You can take a peek at the example below for further reference!

2. Have an Undisturbed Study Area

Do not try to study in places you usually use to have fun or rest, like the couch or bed. Choose somewhere bright, and try to make it pleasant by adding some plants. If we have an area that we use solely for studying, it will be easier for us to focus, and we will be able to take better breaks by leaving the area when not studying.

Try to put on some classical music or lo-fi music as well. I personally benefit from putting these types of music as white noise to filter other noises from my urban neighborhood - barking dogs, my family chattering, and honking horns from the traffic jam (Northeastern University, 2020). Classical or lo-fi music can help us focus more on our studies and listen to the voice of our thoughts more clearly.

3. Invest in Self-growth Platforms

One of the best benefits of studying online is that you can learn from various educational institutions worldwide. You can also get chances to save money in terms of accommodation fees and travel expenses. Also, there are a lot of free webinars and educational programs across the internet, so make sure you utilize them for your benefit.

I like to play TED Talks on Youtube and listen to self-growth podcasts such as Mindvalley or JW. For younger children, there are options such as Ted-Ed or SciShow. These things enrich the educational process, helping us absorb more rather than just memorizing textbooks per word (Northeastern University, 2020).

If you want to learn foreign languages, Instagram, like the one that Study and Etch has, also offers free daily vocabulary in its story posts daily! Here is our official account:

In conclusion, by following a precise schedule, having an undisturbed study area, and investing in self-growth platforms, we can benefit from our online learning to the fullest. Jim Kwik said in his book that the brain could retain knowledge if positive emotion relates to it (Kwik, 2020). Hence, make sure you feel comfy before studying! I hope you can learn better by doing so. 📖

References:

Good Colleges. (2021, July 27). 21 Study Tips for Online Classes Success. Good Colleges. https://goodcolleges.online/study-tips-for-success/ Kwik, J. (2020). Limitless (p. 251). Hay House Inc. Northeastern University. (2020, March 26). Eight strategies for getting the most out of an online class. Northeastern University Graduate Programs. https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/tips-for-taking-online-classes/