Due to the on-going COVID-19 situation, we are stuck inside our homes for quite a long time. In the initial months, it was all okay, but as the time is passing we are getting frustrated! However, this virus may not go away easily. So, there are high chances that our next academic session will be online! So, we must be prepared for more online classes.
If you are like me who does not have much online class experience, you must be worrying!
I am a lazy girl. I can’t resist going to the bed and taking a short nap even while doing the online class. Moreover, most of the times, when my web cam is switched off I am listening to the class while lying in my bed.
Are you doing the same thing?
But don’t worry, I have found out 7 strategies that can help you make the maximum use of your online classes and also make you productive. If you are determined, you will definitely succeed in studying more and feeling better.
Table of content
1. Do your classes and study work in a suitable environment
If you are planning to do your classes and study work near your bed, bad decision!
Don’t do that.
Try to find a quiet place to do your classes and study work. If you are living with a joint family it may be difficult. In such cases, try to find a room which mostly remains empty! Go and study in the garage if necessary or perhaps the rooftop, if it’s not raining!
Next thing you need is a table and a chair! Yes, they are important. If till now you were using your bed, let it go! If you are doing your school work in bed, then chances are you will take naps as well.
Don’t have your own table and chair?
Then go to the dining table of your house and use that. However, ensure that no one is getting disturbed due to your presence.
If you are living in a noisy environment, then it’s best if you invest in a noise-cancelling headphone or just listen to some soft music. Not songs with lyrics. Soft Instrumental music will be fine!
You will find plenty of them on Youtube. Just type ‘Study music’ and a long list will show up! Choose the one you like the most and get going. I generally prefer Chinese instrumental music or Indian instrumental music.
2. Buy a good quality earphone
Believe me, the online classes for students are quite long! You may be spending hours in front of your smartphone or your laptop. So, ensure that the listening device is comfortable.
If you are using your regular earphone for the classes, it may not be suitable. Try to invest in earphones which are comfortable for you. As you will be using them for hours you don’t want to hurt your ears in any way! I suggest you go for headphones instead of the earphones.
Also, try to buy at least two headphones. You never know when your headphone is going to stop working. With hours and hours of use, you can expect it to stop working after some time.
So, buy two good quality headphones! It is not necessary that you have to buy branded headphones. However, go for the ones which will last a bit longer. Check out the reviews and then decide on the headphone of your choice.
3. Plan your day ahead
You already know your class routine, right?
Now all you need to do is arrange your study time and other works around it. It may seem unnecessary since you are at home, but believe me, it is important.
Plan the time table accordingly. Don’t start reading or studying just after the online classes have ended! After the online class do some stretching if necessary and then do the stuff you like, it can be drawing, crafts or just gossiping with a friend on phone! After a rest of an hour, you can start your studies.
Set mini-goals for yourself every day! And try your best to complete it. And when you are studying, use the Pomodoro technique for better result. Pomodoro technique is all about taking breaks of 5 minutes after every 25-30 minutes of study.
You can use planners, google calendar, or a to-do list app for your daily planning.
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4. Use the right tools for online classrooms
If you are not using planners yet, you must start using one. They are lifesavers. You can use online planners or a hardcopy planner. It is up to you. But a planner will definitely help you out.
It is especially useful when you are at home and doing your online classes. Believe me, just the thought that we are at home can make our schedule mess up! Use multiple planners if necessary! You can go for daily, weekly and monthly planners.
The daily planners are your daily to-do lists which you must try to complete anyway! Use the weekly and monthly planner for some important dates and big goals you wish to accomplish. Jot down the due dates, and other homeworks in your planner. Better, set you due dates even in you Google calendar!
Whenever you teacher informs you any date, quickly jot it down somewhere. You can set it up later in your Google calendar. If you are a sticky note lover, then you must use them for this.
Another great tool you must use is the distraction free app. There are plenty of apps on the playstore from where you can download them. These are the apps, that will stop you from reaching your phone and using the social media again and again. Obviously these will work only when you are doing your online class on the desktop or laptop!
5. Snack but in a limit
Snacks are readily heavily at our home. And since no one is going to stop us from eating snacks, it feels okay to munch on our favourite chips! Many students even use snacks as a reward for their everyday work. But you must limit it.
Don’t eat while you are doing your online class. Moreover, you must ensure that the snacks you are consuming are good for you health. Eat veggies that can help your sharpen your mind. This will help in better brain activity.
Are you eating desserts every day during class?
Stop it immediately!
If you are taking them daily, it can have a negative effect on your body. So, try to avoid it. Moreover, eating snacks can affect your productivity. When you consume processed snacks, it will make you more tired! So, avoid them at any cost.
6. Don’t oversleep in the morning
Our sleeping cycles are all messed up as our activities have changed completely. But you must try to stick to your old routine which is getting up early in the morning.
According to science and also ayurveda, studying in the morning is the best. Especially around 5-6 am in the morning. During this time our brain is most active and can retain a lot of things that we study!
Yes, I know waking 5-6 am in the morning is not that easy. But try to sleeping around 9-10pm every night so you can wake up at this time. Don’t spend the nights using your phones to watch netflix. You may do that on weekends, but try to stick to a fixed sleeping routine everyday.
Also, you must try to do light exercises every morning after waking up. Do some stretching or yoga. If you have any fitness goals, go for workouts but don’t overdo anything as it can hamper your study routine!
7. Try to be attentive during the online classes
Not only us but for many professors and teachers, online classroom is a new thing. It may be difficult for them to adjust to this technology. Many of them may not be tech savvy as well, so try to make most of what they trying to teach!
If they are able to teach properly try to take in as much as information you can. Don’t miss out anything! It is always better if you can invest in a software or an extension that can help you record the class.
Moreover, take a look everyday on the Google classroom. You don’t wish to miss out on any class notes or homeworks. And the most important thing is if you have any query directly contact the professor or the teacher. They will be ready to help. But ensure that you are not disturbing them! Arrange an appointment beforehand if necessary.
Online classes for students and teachers are a challenge. This is something very new to many people. Especially people studying in the rural section are having more issues. But with proper strategies we can sort any problem. Don’t get disheartened due to this change. Try to adapt and make the best out of it. And the truth is we don’t know when this will end, so we must stick to online classes and carry on!
So, best of luck.