Online study has become an increasingly popular option for students who are looking to improve their qualifications while working full-time or dealing with other commitments that may make it difficult for them to take the traditional campus-based route. Due to the COVID19 crisis of the past year, studying online has become more commonplace than ever before with many universities and colleges moving traditional degree programs online in order to keep students safe and healthy without disrupting their learning.
Students have found that studying online can be very beneficial since it offers a flexible way of learning that enables many students to continue working full-time when they need to, along with saving money on many of the associated expenses of attending college like relocation or commuting. But studying from home can also have some drawbacks, including a lack of socialisation in-person with your peers and the fact that being at home can often be more distracting. Here are some tips for staying motivated to keep in mind if you have decided to study online.
Choosing the Right Degree Program:
There are many diverse options available for those who wish to study online and getting your choice of degree program right can make all the difference when it comes to how motivated you are to study and succeed. It is always easier to motivate yourself to study something that you are genuinely enjoying, so make a point of doing your research to ensure that the degree program you choose is the right choice for you. From bachelor’s degrees in almost every subject to advanced career-based programs like this post MSN FNP online program that is available for nurses looking to progress, there’s an online degree for everybody.
Study Type:
Not all online study is the same. Some degree programs offer complete flexibility, allowing you to decide when, how, and where you would like to study based on your commitments such as work and family. Others are more structured and will require you to be online and attending virtual classes and lectures at certain times of the day. If you are concerned about the idea of studying from home and missing out on social interaction with your peers or face-to-face contact with your tutors, you might want to consider a blended degree program where you will be spending some time studying online while attending some classes on campus too, allowing you to get the best of both worlds.
Consider your requirements, needs, and commitments to ensure that you make the right choice when it comes to how you will be studying online.
Plan Your Time:
Once you have decided what you’d like to study and how you’d study it, it’s important to put together a clear plan for your time and schedule so that everything works well for you. If you are planning to work full-time alongside studying for your degree, it’s important to have a clear plan in mind for when you are going to study, particularly if you have chosen a program that allows you to have full flexibility over when you’d like to study and allows you to manage your own time. Consider the hours that you work and the times where you need to be working on any other commitments that you have. Studying online will often require you to make some sacrifices when it comes to your leisure time and hobbies. You might find that it is helpful to set aside some time for studying at the beginning of each week or month, especially if you work different shifts.
Create a Study Space:
Studying from home can be a distracting experience, especially if you’re trying to get the work done while sitting in the kitchen faced with piles of laundry or dishes that need to be put into the dishwasher. Homes can be more distracting than you might realise when you are trying to focus on studies, so it’s a good idea to create a space in your home that you can completely dedicate to focusing on your learning.
A spare bedroom is an ideal choice if you have one, or you could use a garage, basement, or sunroom area. If you don’t have an additional room in your home for studying, you can create a study area in your bedroom, dining room, or living room and ask other members of your household to avoid the area while you are studying so that you are able to focus.
Get comfortable office furniture set up so that you’re not dealing with aches and pains when you’re trying to work. Make sure that your study space is organised, tidy, clean, and well-lit to keep you motivated and focused.
Take Breaks:
Taking a break is important for your motivation and is important to ensure that you avoid becoming exhausted and worn out over time. This is especially true if you are currently working full-time at the same time as working. A heavy workload needs to be counteracted with breaks and time taken to do the things that you enjoy, so that you can return to the work feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to focus.
When setting your schedule for studying, don’t forget to include at least one day per week where you can relax and wind down, taking time to spend with family or friends, enjoy activities and hobbies that you like, or spend some time indulging in self-care. Along with taking larger breaks each week, it’s a wise idea to make sure that you take short breaks throughout the day when studying and avoid staying sat down staring at your screen for long periods of time.
Setting a reminder on your phone to get up and stretch your legs every hour or so will help you to stay active and avoid the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle, especially if you are also working in an office job.
Studying online has become more and more popular in recent years. However, staying motivated when you are studying from home is not always easy. Keep these tips in mind to set up your home study space and make sure that you are headed towards success.
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