Online learning has existed in the world since the 1990s and has increasingly become popular over the years. While online learning was already on the rise due to the global pandemic COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, online learning has exponentially risen over the last couple of months. Schools and colleges have closed down to limit the spread of the virus and switched their coursework from being in a classroom to being online in a matter of weeks. However, it is very hard for students who are not used to online learning to do so. There are many tips for how to learn online during this stressful and confusing time.

The first thing to do when studying at home is to have a dedicated quiet space to study from. Having a workspace is essential in establishing a study routine 

“Whether you decide to study in your office or in your living room, ensure that this place is quiet, organized, distraction-free, and available for use at any time,” Elearningindustry.com states.

Furthermore, to have an efficient workspace make sure to have all of the necessary study materials.

“When setting up your study space, make sure you: have a high-speed internet connection, have the required books, materials, and software for the course, [and] have headphones for listening to lectures or discussions (especially important in shared spaces),” Northeastern.edu explains.

Additionally, to work in this study space proficiently, all possible distractions must be removed from the premises.

“Cut off all electronics or put them on silent. A distraction-free environment slows your thinking down and helps you feel more at ease because you are no longer concentrating about everyone else. It overcomes the problem of not being able to concentrate when you try to study,” Goodcolleges.online describes.

Another tip to studying efficiently online and at home is to have a study plan to keep you organized and on a routine. There are multiple steps to building a study plan, the first step is to plan ahead.

“Never wait until the day before an assignment due date to start working on it. It will stress you and stress will prevent you from effectively completing the online task,” Elearningindustry.com teaches.

In addition, an effective calendar system will allow for easier learning and discipline to a routine.

“Online learning needs structure; create a study calendar that will help you remember all important dates, like exams, or deadlines for submitting your assignments,” Elearningindustry.com explains.

Detailed to-do lists are another beneficial and helpful part of a good study plan.

“The to-do list can become your best friend during your eLearning adventure. They can help you study more efficiently and get things done faster. Plus, you get the accomplishment of checking off each item as you complete it,” Blog.kajabi.com states. 

An important factor in a study plan is having time limits for assignments. Time limits allow for better control and productivity in a study routine.

“Try to stick to your time limits, as this will help you develop your self-discipline. Furthermore, when you realize that despite your best efforts you cannot concentrate, consider stopping for an hour or for the night; it is better to wait until you are able to start afresh than to waste your time trying to focus,” Elearningindustry.com informs.

It is also essential to take a reasonable amount of breaks, when studying from home.

“Did you know that studying for too long can have serious consequences? Insomnia, loss of concentration, eye strain and fatigue, poor knowledge retention, inadequate performance on tests, [and] loss of memory. To avoid these consequences, give yourself plenty of breaks. If possible, get away from your study area,” Blog.kajabi.com voices.

The most significant step in having a study plan is to have the determination to follow it.

“Finally, stick to your study plan. Procrastination is the worst enemy of online learners, so make sure that you stay organized and you are not falling behind in your online class,”  Elearningindustry.com expresses.

Communicating with online course advisors is instrumental when confused about the topic or course materials.

“Your instructor is still there to help you, though, even if you never meet him or her in person. In fact, many students in post-course surveys at Illinois report their instructor as being equally or even more available than in face-to-face courses,” Online.illinois.edu declares.

All in all, online school may be hard but with these tips, it can get easier. The key to is becoming easier is to remain motivated while studying online.

“While it’s not easy to turn a negative attitude into a positive outlook, it will definitely help you keep going when you want to procrastinate on an assignment or don’t feel like logging in to attend a lecture. If you try to stay positive throughout your online course experience, you’ll find it makes everything a little easier,” Floridatechonline.com voices.