Productivity

How to Reduce Distractions and Effectively Study Online

How to Reduce Distractions and Effectively Study Online

While many of us haven’t studied online before, there are many great qualities about taking online classes or online exam prep. Studying online can be effective as you are able to go through classes at a more leisurely pace and it’s more convenient. 

However, taking online courses may require more self-discipline as you don’t have anyone to remind you of assignment deadlines and you get the freedom of doing it, and anything else, on your computer. Safe to say, it’s pretty easy to get distracted. 

Here are a few tips to reduce distractions and ensure you get the most out of your online class.

1.     Create a Study Routine
While life can get demanding, beginning a routine can help ensure you’re getting your school work on time. Set aside a specific time every day to take your online classes or do assignments, this way you’ll get into the habit of ensuring you’re getting the most out of your online classes and getting your assignments in on time. 

In addition, this will help give you some stability in your life if things get too crazy. While this will be difficult to do, by prioritizing your responsibilities and getting into a routine, you’re less likely to become distracted and give you a good habit that will be beneficial throughout your lifetime.  

2.     Use an App
There are many great apps available for all different types of computers. They’re a great tool to use when doing online classes because many of the study apps don’t allow you to turn them on and off as you please. For example, Stay Focused, an app on Chrome, allows you to place a restriction for any time frame and for any website. 

This is great when studying online because the app will not let you alter the time once you’ve set it. Thus, you’re not tempted to turn it off and go back to surfing the web. This is also a great way to reward yourself after a period of studying.

3.     Get Organized with a To-Do List
When it comes to studying, organization is key! By writing down all the tasks you need to get done, you’re less likely to forget any time-conscious or important task as well as waste less time thinking about what you need to get done. By waking up and having an idea of what you need to accomplish that day, you’ll be less intimidated at the task at hand. 

This will help you reduce distractions because you can prepare all your materials and get them ready so you’re not procrastinating by looking for that textbook or thinking about where you could have misplaced your online password. Besides, there’s no denying that it’s fun to check off a task on your list!  

4.     Split Up Your Work in Sessions
If you’re studying for a big exam and you know it’s going to be on the last 10 chapters, why stress yourself out by studying for all 10 in a day when you can break it up? For example, you can start studying earlier and break the schedule down to reading 2 chapters a day. 

This way, you’re less likely to stress yourself out and have more time in your day to focus on other errands you may need to do. In addition, you’re more likely to have time to analyze and reflect on the information you’ve learned rather than attempting to memorize everything in one go.

5.     Put Your Phone on Airplane Mode
If you own a smartphone, you know how distracting it is to have it even placed right beside. The power to get any information and check up on all your friends is all at your fingertips. However, this makes it hard for you to focus. 

Whether or not you’re actively on your phone, there could be a little voice at the back of your head thinking “what am I missing out on?” By placing your phone on airplane mode you’re stopping it from receiving all notifications that could be a distraction to you. 

Even better, test yourself by placing your phone on airplane mode and then putting it across the room or giving it to a friend. This way you won’t hear the notifications go off and you can stretch out your legs if you go check it.