Remote Learning: how to get the most from studying online

The last 12 months have been some of the most challenging months, this country and the world has faced for generations. The way we live our lives has changed to a degree not seen since world war 2. this lifestyle change has brought with it a wide-sweeping change in the way, we study and learn. With this in mind, we will look to some of the best hints and tips that have helped us and the people around us during this difficult time.

For many, the isolation and studying from home or from student accommodation has been lonely, frustrating, and monotonous.  For most, it has meant that studying has become boring and has ruined motivation to pick up a book or watch a lecture online. However, this doesn’t have to be the case and here are a few things that we can do to make studying and learning fun and engaging even during lockdown.  

The first issue that I and many others have had is staying motivated whilst studying. It’s very easy as most of us would testify to procrastinate when working at home which is a problem when it comes to staying focused. This will have happened to us all at some point over the last 12 months and is completely normal given the extraordinary circumstances we have found ourselves in. I have found that finding order and balance in day to day life can really help you plan your day and resist the temptation of procrastination. Having a diary or a calendar that allows you to break down your day into chunks makes the work feel less monotonous and means your not sat doing the same thing all day.

As well as this finding an area to study away from temptations like your phone tv or games console is essential. Too many times during the last year I have found myself distracted by things around me. Finding a unique place to study and only study is a great way to stay on track and get your work done efficiently. You should spread out your time with time to focus and study as well as having some time to relax and unwind as both are equally important.

Taking breaks throughout your day and getting regular fresh air and exercise can really help relieve the stress of studying as well as allowing the mind to relax which can be beneficial in creating new ideas and ways of thinking. Taking breaks and knowing your own focus limits are important tools when studying at any time but are vitally important now when you can find yourself in front of a screen for many hours a day so take time away from the screen, get some fresh air and allow yourself to breath and relax whenever possible.

Another issue many people have had to deal with is the introduction of zoom and online lectures. Being unable to work in person within groups can create issues and for some, there are factors in place that mean online live zoom calls can be difficult or near on impossible. However tough and frustrating this can be there are some positives like being able to work where you are most comfortable and able to work in a relaxed environment which reduces the stress of presenting in front of a room of people. A tip I have been given is to have zoom calls with friends and family members, the more you are in front of the camera and talking openly the easier it gets when answering questions or looking to create group projects to present. Friends and family will be more than happy to call and from my own experience, it’s been the only way to speak to some of the people closest to me. Practising any speech or group project in front of them can be a great boost to your confidence when the real thing happens.

A  piece of advice that has been fruitful for me during the last 12 months is being able to stop take a break and understand that we are in a difficult time right now. I know in the last 12 months we have had more time on our hands than ever before but it’s important now more than ever to take time for ourselves. The stress of our new way of living means that studying has been made much harder than normal.  Understanding and reflecting that you may not be functioning in the usual way is ok and you shouldn’t take that out on yourself. Instead, we need to pat ourselves on the back and congratulate the work that we have been able to do and see that as an achievement that we should be happy about.

Ultimately during lockdown, it’s important that you look after your mind and body and that you take time for yourself as well as time for your work. Being able to step away from work and let yourself rest and recuperate will not only make your work stronger and more understandable it will also make what is currently a very difficult time a little bit more manageable.

I hope this blog post can help with the struggles of lockdown studying and that we are all doing our best to balance our work with our own health. If you have any of your own ideas or tips for studying during lockdown, we would really like to hear them.

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