There’s no doubt that eLearning is accessible and accommodating, but there are downsides to this new method of education too. Without the focused environment of a classroom or lecture hall, it’s easy to get distracted.
Less effective study can result from working in your room or at home, but thankfully there are ways to offset this. Having a study space, a routine, and an organised checklist can simplify your studies.
In this guide, we’ve included popular tricks like ‘the Pomodoro method’ alongside smaller time savers to help you get the most out of your learning. Keep reading to find out how to ace online courses with our tips on effective eLearning.
Tip 1: Troubleshoot technical issues
There is no better excuse to stop studying than having your internet cut out mid-lecture. So, you’ll need to do your best to prevent this or have backups in place. This might mean studying in the library where the internet doesn’t drop out, or keeping your laptop charger on you wherever you go.
In case you won’t always be able to access the essential course materials and lecture recordings online, learn how to use an online PDF editor. By learning how to edit your course materials to add in your own notes, you can streamline the process of creating your own personalised and effective revision notes.
Besides this, you should also backup your digital files regularly, or have a cloud service subscription to do it for you – that way you don’t risk finding all your files gone and losing your motivation to prepare for all your finals.
Tip 2: Have a dedicated study space
Having a dedicated study space is something you’ll see recommended in a lot of ‘how to study’ guides online, and for good reason too. Sitting in your bed, typing on your computer is too comfortable and perhaps even too distracting. You can easily take a nap, and once you start thinking about that, you just might.
Instead, you want a spot with little to look at and little to hear. A spot where the only thing to pay attention to is your studying. That way, you don’t have the chance to be distracted. Another trick is to find a space where others are studying so that you feel the responsibility to do so too. If you truly don’t have any quiet space, you can also invest in some earplugs or headphones and put on some glasses with side blinders too.
Tip 3: Create a routine
Flexibility might sound like the best part of studying online, but it can also be the worst. Having time cut out each day allows you to more effectively manage your time, put in focused effort and stop making excuses or procrastinating. So, create a routine that you can stick to. This might mean two hours a day between a set timeframe, eight hours on the weekends, or something totally unique that works around your schedule.
So long as you commit, and allow a habit to form, you’ll have an easier time getting your work done. And if you’re having trouble sticking to your routine, find a friend or another online student to work with and help keep each other accountable.
Tip 4: Keep yourself motivated
Staying motivated is achieved differently for everyone, but there are a handful of tricks you can try to find what works for you. The first is ‘the Pomodoro technique’, which has you turn your study time into blocks with short breaks. Usually this means setting a timer for 25 minutes of study, then a 5 minute break, then back into another 25 minutes. This way you can regulate your motivation without getting burnt out quickly.
Another helpful trick is to keep a list or board of your goals and reasons for studying in view. That way, when you’re feeling tired or restless, you can think about all the things you hope to achieve by studying and you’ll renew your interest in the work.
Tip 5: Actively participate
If you’re not the type to ask questions after a lecture, you might not know the benefits it brings. It’s not just about getting an answer, but creating a rapport with your lecturer, allowing them to get a better understanding of how you’re doing in the class, and how they can help you. Being an attentive student who asks questions as they come to mind may also help you feel more present and personally impactful, being a voice for other students who may be just as confused as you are and hoping somebody else asks the questions that are floating around in their own heads.
Even if you don’t have any burning questions, break the ice with something you’re interested in – who knows where it might lead!
Tip 6: Create a study group or support network
Studying alone might mean less distractions on paper, but often it means more time wasting and lower motivation. Even online students can make study groups. Your online course will come with contacts and chat rooms, so make use of them and get to know the other students.
Invite them to study with you, and since they all have to do the work too, they probably will. This way you’ll get the benefit of each other’s insights, resources, and company. It’s just another way to make studying a little more enjoyable.
Conclusion
Once you know the troubles of studying online, you can control and overcome them. The added benefit of putting these skills into practice now is that being able to work autonomously is a highly valued skill in many workforces too. So prepare your digital workspace, set aside your spot for studying, play around with note-taking tools and PDF tools, and find some people to study with or some great techniques to keep you in the zone. With all the right tools and tactics in place, you should be able to ace all your tests with flying colours.
