Online education is beneficial as one can learn at their own pace and attend classes anytime and anywhere. It is also more cost-effective compared to an on-campus course. That said, students studying online must manage their time effectively and be self-motivated if they want to do well and succeed. Those who are new to this form of learning can use a few tried-and-tested tips for making the most of online education.
Set small, achievable goals
For those wondering how to stay motivated in online classes, setting small, achievable goals may help. For example, if a student has to finish a course in one week, they can aim to complete one or two modules a day. This technique makes learners feel good about their progress and remain motivated for the remainder of a given online course.
Setting realistic goals is critical to succeed in online learning courses. If a goal is too difficult and a person fails to achieve it, they may get discouraged.
Take breaks
Since online education is unsupervised, students often lose motivation and find it difficult to focus. Some get so frustrated that they leave a course mid-way to pursue another one. This is especially the case when there is a lot of challenging material to cover.
One way to tackle a challenging course is to break study sessions into small sub-sessions. For instance, one can study for 30 minutes, take a break, and then resume for another 30 minutes or so. Breaking down study sessions this way refreshes the brain and improves knowledge retention.
Find a study companion
Learners struggling to find motivation to keep going can get someone to study with them. Study companions can hold each other accountable for finishing courses and staying on track. Collective studying may also be more enjoyable and maximize one’s online learning experience.
People seeking a study buddy can express their interest on course forums or social media groups. On these platforms, students often post their queries, share ideas, and have discussions regarding the courses they are pursuing. Another way to find study companions is by reaching out to friends and family members who may be interested in taking the same online course.
Communicate regularly with instructors
Connecting with instructors is essential for success when studying remotely. One can reach out to their instructor through emails or discussion forums. This kind of communication helps learners clarify doubts promptly, prevent misunderstandings, and keep their study sessions on track to finish their learning program on time. Besides instructors, one can actively engage with other students by participating in virtual class discussions and chatting on the course platform’s communication channels. Doing so will make one feel involved in the learning process.
It’s important to remember that, unlike professors on campus, online instructors may not always be available for correspondence. That’s why learners will need to put in effort and find different ways to engage with instructors in online courses if they need guidance.
Create a productive learning environment
The learning environment in a classroom is quite formal and structured to enhance productivity. On the other hand, the environment at home is laid-back. Students taking an online course are free to slouch on their couch, play video games by the side, and watch films or TV series. This can seriously hamper one’s focus and motivation for learning.
One of the most effective online learning study habits is creating a productive environment at home. This involves setting up a “learning zone” with an uncluttered table and chair setup. To keep their focus going, learners can also block distractive websites on their computers and switch off the TV or music player running in the background.
Prioritize time management
Students enrolled in online courses can decide when and where to study. But one must not let this freedom make them complacent. Even when learning remotely, it is a good idea to have a well-planned schedule. One can take a pen and paper and allocate a specific time for online classes, self-learning, as well as household chores. Doing so will help one be more productive and manage their time better.
When allocating time for studies, one must go easy initially. Setting aside four hours daily to learn can be overwhelming for someone who has just started a new course. So, in the beginning, one can just spend 15 to 20 minutes every day and then eventually increase learning time. This kind of time management can make online learning a success.
Keep track of deadlines
Some online courses must be completed within a specific time frame. Keeping track of these deadlines is crucial. Even if a course has no deadline, students can set one of their own and stick to it no matter what. This kind of enforcement will push them to definitively finish online courses within time and also inculcate a habit of learning every day.
Some learning platforms are better than others because of their simple user interface, flexibility of learning options, credible instructors, and goal-based learning approach. Choosing such online learning platforms makes learning enjoyable and helps improve skills.