7 Tricks to Stay Focused When Studying Online

Going through changes and adjusting to new circumstances are never easy, yet the ongoing pandemic has pushed us to adapt and do everything from the comfort of our home, including studying online. The current situation might not be favorable to us, but it seems that we have been doing our best to grow and evolve.

Studying online at home can get boring very easily, and your complaints about it are quite understandable even expected. But did you know? There are ways to work around the challenges of studying online.

Here are seven things you can do to stay focused on your online learning activities.

Also read: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Learning Styles

1. Set up a comfortable and peaceful study space.

Creating a quiet study space is very important so you can concentrate and stay focused when studying. It’s true that school from home means you can study anywhere at your home, including in bed or in front of the TV. However, either of these two isn’t a good choice if you want to build your study motivation.

First, designate a specific area in your house for you to study and work on tasks. Set up the area so it fits your preferences and feels comfortable enough to keep you motivated and focused. Next, make sure the study space is located as far as possible from the bedroom you aren’t tempted to get lazy and study in bed instead.

Finally, be sure to keep all your essentials (laptop or desktop PC, mobile phone, earphones, pens and pencils, water bottles, and snacks) available on your desk. Extra tip, to make studying less boring, place your study space near a balcony, by a large window, or in the garden at the back of your house.

2. Get into your online classes early.

Get yourself ready and join each online class a few minutes before it starts. This way, you can make sure you have everything you need and all (video camera, audio speakers, microphone, etc.) are functioning properly. Also, make sure to come to class regularly according to the schedule. It’s one of the most effective ways to practice your self-management skills and prepare yourself for both successful education and life.

3. Minimize distractions.

You might find it difficult to focus on studying online if you keep on multitasking—studying while opening your social media accounts while checking notifications on your mobile phones. Multitasking can interfere with your concentration, so try to avoid it.

Minimize distractions by blocking your social media on your PC and putting your mobile phone on silent mode, so you’re not bothered by your desire to browse social media and check notifications. Do them only during breaks or after the classes are over. Also, wear earphones to avoid distractions from other sounds.

4. Take notes of your online lessons.

Take notes of all the important points and things to remember of each of your online lessons. We have a trick for you: write your notes down on a piece of paper or in a small notebook. Did you know? Although taking handwritten notes may be more tiring and affect the quality of our writing, our brain responds and records more effectively when we write things down.

Another tip for you: copy your initial notes into another, perhaps larger, notebook. Rewriting the important points can help you recall and better understand the lessons taught in your online classes. Yes, you can use online learning applications instead for more convenience. However, give this method a try and see how it benefits you and your progress.

5. Use tools to help you when in need.

There are various tools you can use to make studying online more convenient. Take this tool for example. If you’re in a situation where you can’t manually take or copy notes, you can use Google Word’s Voice Typing tool. Open Google Word and go to Tools > Voice typing. By listening to the microphone, Google Word will then write down everything you or your teacher say. You will only need to correct mistakes and fill in missing words. With this practical tool, note-taking will be easier.

6. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Teachers are happy when students give responses or ask questions because it means that they pay attention and focus on the lessons. Therefore, if you don’t understand certain topics, points, or parts of the materials taught, just raise your hand—both literally or using the button on your video conferencing platform—and ask for help. Did you know? Asking questions actually makes you look smart, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

7. Take enough rest after studying online.

Studying for hours may cause fatigue and dehydration. After your online classes are over, do fun things: check your social media, watch some videos on YouTube, eat some ice cream, or do some stretching. It’s very important to take a break after your online classes end so that your body returns to normal and is ready to carry out the next activity.

Those are the tips to stay focused when studying online at home. Online learning isn’t all sunshine and rainbows; there are bad days and challenges, too. However, it’s important to stay motivated to achieve your end goals.

If you’re interested in online education, join Sampoerna Academy Online and start your virtual learning journey with us. Sampoerna Academy Online provides a world-class international academic program to shape future world leaders—without being limited by location. You will learn through the project-based and STEAM-activated approach done in a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Get in touch with us here to find out more!

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Educations Online