Trying to stay focused during your online class? You can motivate yourself with your online learning with the following tips for improving your focus.

Online classes are great. They’re very convenient, especially with the world’s health condition right now. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, online learning is already a thing for quite a while.

Still, it’s a new territory for many students. While attending classes at home sounds awesome since it’ll save you lots of time and offers a more comfortable vibe, some students struggle to maintain focus.

Keeping the same level of focus you have in a classroom can be hard for online classes. That’s because when you’re at the comfort of your home, lots of things can get you easily sidetracked.

It may seem exciting for your first few online classes, but once the novelty wears off, you can find yourself demotivated and out of it. This then leads us to our topic today: how can you stay focused when taking online classes? Continue reading to know more about it.

Tips To Stay Focused During Online Classes

How do you adapt to online classes?

Due to the pandemic, most students are compelled to enter a new world of online learning. Keep in mind these three essential things to help you adapt to online classes:

1. Communicate with your professors

Naturally, your professor will communicate with you on what your course will be like and what you can do to get the most out of this course. Make sure you know how and when the online class will be, what things will be needed, and what other means of communication will you be using between you and your instructor and classmates.

2. Know what to be expected of you

Most likely, your online class will entail logging in with the rest of your classmates at a specific time. Another way is where you’re given materials so you can learn individually in your free time. Whatever the style of teaching it’ll be, make sure that you’ve understood what’s to be expected of you and be responsible for the tasks that need to be completed.

3. Participate and make use of your network

Online classes will make you feel like you’re learning alone since you can’t see your classmates personally. It’s normal to feel like that, but don’t be discouraged. Instead, try to actively participate during lectures and work with your classmate for your assignments if needed. Don’t be shy to engage in discussions, ask questions, and be an active participant in your online class.

Tips To Help You Stay Focused During Online Classes

Now that we’ve covered how you can get accustomed to online learning, let’s move on to our main agenda. Here are seven tips that’ll keep you stay focused during online classes:

1. Create a routine and stick to it

One of the best parts of taking online classes is the liberty to wake up 2 minutes before class. Just splash some water then take the class in your pajamas. Welp, sorry to break it to you, but this habit will make you lose focus. Establish a routine, instead and follow it religiously.

You can use the same routine as you have when you attended regular classes. Dressing out of your sleeping wear can also help your motivation levels up. Needless to say, maintaining a routine helps keep your energized and focused throughout your classes.

2. Have a study space

Where you study is just as important as what you study. If possible, avoid using your dining table or living area as your study space. Doing so will be hard, if not impossible, to inject some “study vibes.”

If there’s a place in your home with large windows or somewhere you can get sunlight indoors, you can use it as a study area. A corner in your bedroom will suffice as well. To make it more relaxing, putting a live plant on your desk or somewhere near you can help.

3. Avoid wearing PJs and staying on bed

Wearing PJs plus your bed is a recipe for disaster while studying online. To focus on your classes, get out of your bed, and use your desk. Change out of your pajamas too. Drink water, do some stretching, eat a healthy breakfast, and get ready for your class.

4. Put any gadget not needed for your class

You’re likely using your desktop or laptop so your mobile phone won’t be needed during online classes. Just like when studying in a classroom, learn to never use your cell phone.

Make sure to get far from your televisions as well. And once the class has started, any non-school-related website should be off-limits. At this point, self-control and self-discipline are extremely important.

5. Take handwritten notes

Writing notes during your online classes is one of the best ways to keep your focus. Sitting in front of a computer screen for hours can strain your eyes.

Instead of using your laptop to take notes, use a paper and pen instead. Keeping records of what you’ve learned and what you think is important also keeps your brain active and stops you from feeling lazy.

6. Take breaks

It goes without saying that online classes can be a real chore, especially if you aren’t used to staring at a computer for long periods. A study break is crucial to ensure that you don’t get burnouts.

Having a break for at least every 50 minutes can help you compose yourself and gather more energy to focus. Go to the toilet if you must. Or, you can drink some coffee or any refreshing beverage. Stretching your legs can also help.

7. Form a study group

Who says study groups are gone just because people are taking online classes now? Since we need to observe social distancing, you can create a virtual peer group.

Having others to study together with you can help you gain a better understanding of your lessons. If not, at the very least, it can help keep each other in check and motivate each other to do well. You can also use this chance to interact with your peers more.

Online classes can be a challenge, too. Hopefully, all those tips can help you discipline yourself better and maintain focus during online learning. Good luck and stay safe!

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