5 Tips To Help You Optimise Your Online Learning Experience
Before 2020, online learning was almost unheard of and was usually the remit of homeschooled children.
However, the pandemic changed that, and today many schools and education providers offer a combination of at-home and in-class learning.
In 2021, many universities will continue to deliver most, if not all, of their lessons online. As such, if you’re a student, you need to make sure that you optimise your online learning experience.
I understand how tough it can be to learn online, which is why I’ve put together this list of my top 5 tips to help you to get the most out of online learning.
1. Get Dressed And Never Work From Your Bed: Working from home means that you don’t have to leave the house, which is both a blessing and a curse. While it makes it easier to get to your workspace (it’s in your home), you might struggle to separate your home life from your education mentally. One of the easiest ways to do this, and to increase your productivity, is to always get dressed as if you’re about to go out. Even if you wear comfortable clothes, make sure that you don’t wear your pyjamas, and never work from your bed. It might seem like a comfortable way to work, but you’ll be less productive and more likely to fall back to sleep.
2. Organise Your Workspace: If you have an untidy desk, then you might find it hard to focus or find the equipment/ notes you need. As such, you should make sure that you tidy your desk and keep it organised. Make sure your desk is large enough to hold everything you need or invest in additional under-desk storage to ensure that you have everything you require to hand when you’re studying.
3. Reduce The Distractions: When you’re working from home, it’s easy to get distracted by your phone, pets or possessions. Distractions can make it harder for you to learn, so try to reduce them. Make sure any animals or other inhabitants of the house know that your study space is off-limits and that they leave you alone. Turn your mobile on silent for your study time, so that you can concentrate on learning.
4. Take Regular Breaks: Taking short breaks can help you to improve your learning, so make time for breaks in your online learning schedule. When you take your breaks, make sure that you really switch off from your work. Don’t just wolf down your lunch at your desk; move to another room or away from your computer. Try to do something different, such as watching TV or messaging your friends. Then, when you’re ready to carry on learning, you can go back to your desk. By separating your work time and your break, you’ll be able to ensure that you make the most out of both.
5. Be Kind To Yourself: It can be difficult to transition from learning in a classroom environment to online learning, so don’t beat yourself up if you struggle at the start. Being unfair and punishing yourself for doing badly will only make you miserable and give you a negative association when you think of online learning. Instead, make sure that you review each bad experience and work out a plan to overcome the challenges you faced. Equally, if you do well, then make sure that you give yourself the praise you deserve.
© 2020 All Rights Reserved Isabella Goode