The dynamics of education have changed drastically over the past years. Technology has allowed many people to juggle between work schedules and education, which would otherwise be challenging given the demands of the traditional education system. With the latest development of the coronavirus pandemic, eLearning is experiencing an upsurge of users. Most universities have shifted to virtual education, and more people are joining online learning programs to keep busy.
If you are pursuing online education, you’ll agree with me that though it has overwhelming benefits, there’s a downside to it; you don’t have a supervisor directly monitoring your day-to-day progress. Thus, it can be challenging to keep up and get the most out of your e-learning. So, to help you navigate your studies with ease, here are seven tips to boost your learning.
Articulate Your Goals
Top on the list is the attitude with which you approach your online studies. It is important to be focused just like you would in an offline classroom. Hence, writing down the goals you intend to achieve at the end of your studies is paramount. Go further and access if these goals are in line with the course objectives. Knowing what you want to achieve will keep you motivated and help you stay on course when you least feel like it.
Stick the goals somewhere you can see them every time you sit down to study. It will give you the drive to keep pushing until you meet your goals. If you are taking an online personal trainer course, for example, having a certification to start your own gym may be the greatest inspiration to keep moving.
Have a Comfortable Study Area
Your mind must be prepared and align with the task ahead for you to study effectively. A designated study place prepares you psychologically for studying. You’ll find it easier to switch into the study mood when approaching your study area.
Choose a study environment that is serene, well lit, and comfortable. You can experiment with several areas to see where you are most productive. A key determinant when choosing a study environment is stable and high-speed internet. Have all your study materials within reach to avoid distractions once your lesson starts.
Manage Study Time Effectively
Studying when you feel like it is a recipe for failure. To meet your study objective, you must have a clear study schedule. Having a timetable that outlines the time you’ll start and finish your studies is the first step towards managing your time. Let your family members know the times you’ll be occupied to minimize distractions.
Allot at least 15 minutes break in between your lessons. Sitting for long hours in front of your computer isn’t healthy. During the break, you can listen to music to rejuvenate, watch a T. V program, or play a game. It is also important to take a walk at least once daily. Your body needs it. Minimize screen time when on breaks to give your eyes time to relax.
Have a daily to-do list that you will check every time you accomplish a task. The list ensures you are up-to-date with your assignments and aware of any upcoming assessments. Study when you are most productive. Do not push yourself beyond your limits. This will help to prevent burnouts.
Actively Participate in Your Studies
You have to keep tabs of any update of your learning materials. Adjust your studies appropriately to cover any new developments. Be open to learning new ideas and approach each topic with a positive attitude.
Take time to seek clarification on the topics you do not understand. You can contact your lectures for further explanation. If you opt to email, be clear and precise in your text. Your lecturer will only help if you can articulate your challenge.
You can also initiate discussions with other class members. Using Zoom, Skype, Slack, or Whatsapp, you can conduct your discussions at a designated time. Have a clear outline of the discussion in prior and stick to the topic. Discussions allow you to interact with others and get varied perspectives on the topic of discussion. It makes online learning enjoyable and enables you to learn more.
Take Notes
Have all the learning materials you’ll need during the lesson; notebook, pencil, highlighter, rubber, and a pen. You can highlight important points on your hard copy and note down points as the lesson progresses. The notes will come in handy during your revisions.
Taking notes improves your concentration because you have to listen actively or read consciously to absorb the concepts and note down. Note-taking improves your comprehension, retention rate, and helps you better understand the content of your course. It also makes it easier to review your notes at a later date.
Minimize Distractions
When learning online, you are prone to get distracted a lot with the notification messages from your email and other social media platforms. To be safe, mute all notifications and focus on your online training. You can switch off your phone or put it on silent.
Further, ensure your study area is free from anything that may divert your attention. It could be your kids, spouse, loud music, or construction in progress. Put distractions to a minimum. You want to get a return on investment. Therefore, focus and get the most out of your learning session.
Doing other things while studying will keep you from giving your studies 100%. Multitasking will prolong your study time, and worse, you won’t reach your full potential.
Be Accountable
Once you enroll in an eLearning course, you take charge of how much you can learn daily, for how long, and what you intend to accomplish at the end. It is easier said than done, and that’s why it is important to hold yourself accountable.
Every day go through your schedule and ensure you’ve met all your goals before leaving your study spot. When you’ve met your objectives, reward yourself. Remember, you have invested money in this program. So, show up every day with a renewed energy to finish your course successfully.
Final Remark
Online education gives you a great opportunity to study on your terms and at your convenience. With self-discipline and integrating these pro tips into your study routine, you can handle your classes with ease. Soo, brace yourself your online study is about to take a positive turn