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Thanks to COVID-19, the education sector has found itself in uncharted territory. Schools, colleges, and universities have shut down their campuses, leaving students confused and concerned about their future. How are they going to complete their year? Will they graduate? What happens to their exams?
But thankfully, we live in a world where technology is evolving at warp speed. The use of the internet to administer a new teaching pedagogy has been the unanimous choice of educational institutions worldwide. However, this is a new experience for students and educators alike. Being cooped up at home trying to learn can be as cumbersome as teaching a subject without that “personal touch”.
So to make learning more effective and fun, we’ve come up with some tips for studying online and at home for university students.
Create a regular study space
Demarcate a particular area in your house that you will utilize to study. It is vital to select an area free of distractions. Your study space could be your room, your kitchen table or even a quiet corner of your house. It’s important to determine what type of environment will work best for you. By completing your work there regularly, you’ll begin to establish a routine. But whatever space you do decide on, make sure you have the following –
- High-speed internet connection
- The required books, materials, and software for the course
- Headphones for listening to lectures or discussions
Engage with your learning
Just like how you take notes while in class, it is a good idea to do the same while watching or listening to an online lecture. Keep necessary stationery like a book, pen, calculator around you during online lectures. Being a little proactive by looking at your timetable ahead of time and preparing well for your seminars and lectures online will do you a great deal of good. It’s a good idea to read your material beforehand and have any doubts written down and cleared by your professor later.
Coordinate group chats
There are many video calling apps that can be used to coordinate video calls with groups of people. Group studying is always a good idea because you’re always motivated to do better. Spending some time discussing ideas, analyzing texts together and swapping study tips for online college students can go a long way. Also, during this period of isolation, being in touch with colleagues is a great stress buster. It helps to add some social contact, so you don’t feel too isolated studying alone. Ensure that your group studying plan remains on track and be wary of distractions that generally crop up during group studying sessions.
Treat Study Like a Job
As mundane as it sounds, treating your studies like a job can actually work wonders. Here’s how you do it. Like in any job, set daily goals and make checklists that can help you succeed in each course and project. Try to work within a fixed time frame. Accomplishing small goals each day and creating a portfolio will help motivate you to keep working.
Have Dedicated Study Blocks
If you genuinely want to succeed in studying at home effectively, you need to set aside some time for robust studying. This doesn’t include the time taken to watch online lectures. Dedicated studying time is a must if you really want to ace your studies. Make sure these studying sessions are without interruptions so that you’re able to focus on your work entirely.
Limit Social Media
The present-day “Idiot Box” if you may, is a constant source of distraction. It’s fun to get lost in the black hole of Instagram, which leads to learning taking a back seat. If things are getting too out of hand, consider logging out of your social media accounts or better yet, delete the social media apps. Since online classes are on computer screens, it is easy to meander to other entertainment applications. Have a firm resolve to concentrate on your studies and shun the temptation of social media.
Reward Yourself
We’re with you if you feel that studying at home is really difficult. So, it’s important to celebrate the little victories you have. For instance, If you get an A on a paper, treat yourself by spending less time studying. When you’re used to your freedom and suddenly you’ve been told to stay within the confines of your house, it takes a massive toll on your mental health. So don’t be too hard on yourself. Reward yourself whenever you feel like you’ve done something worthwhile.
