There is no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on us all and it’s not easy being a student during these times. Lockdown and working from home have made it difficult for us to motivate ourselves and be productive, especially with many of our online studies. Let’s face it, it’s easier to procrastinate and scroll through your phone, watching videos online all day than it is to do your work. But remember – your deadlines are fast approaching!
The key to online learning is to stay motivated. The absence of a classroom environment can trigger motivation loss and make it difficult to get any work done, particularly during the holidays. So how can you make sure you’re still being productive? Here are my top five tips:
- Put your phone aside.
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The best thing you can do to avoid getting distracted is to put your phone away, preferably out of sight, like in another work. One thing you can do is set an alarm for when you’d like to take a break and then move your phone away from you. This will remind you to get up and move around, and also limit your distractions. Another thing you can do is to turn off your phone notifications so you don’t look at who is messaging you. This will not only boost your productivity for the day but has also been shown to reduce your stress levels.
- Take regular breaks
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If you are anything like me and struggle to concentrate after a certain amount of time, then taking regular breaks is the best thing you can do. Whether this is every 25 minutes or every hour, taking breaks is important for your focus and energy levels. Schedule time for activities you enjoy to take a break from intense work; that way, you have something to look forward to. Taking breaks not only prevents fatigue, but it also refreshes your mind and helps improve creativity – helping to regain motivation. So, stand up and move your body a little bit
- Write down what you want to achieve.
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Another thing you can to do motivate yourself is to write down your tasks. Physically being able to see your tasks will help to clarify your goals and keep track of everything that needs attention. In doing this, you will feel more motivated to complete them, and ticking them off as you go along will help to clear your mind a little bit.
- Reward yourself after each assignment you complete.
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To help increase your motivation further, you could also reward yourself after completing a task. Having some kind of incentive will give you something to look forward to, and it will be worthwhile. Rewards could include seeing your friends or even a packet of sweets… just make sure you don’t eat the treat before you finish your assignment!
- Don’t work in bed.
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Lastly, as tempting as it is, studying in bed will significantly decrease your motivation and productivity levels, especially on a cold winter day. Using the bed as a workspace means you’re bringing your work with you to bed, both literally and figuratively. We associate the bed with sleep and relaxation, so having a separate workspace away from distractions will clear your mind and improve your sleep. Instead, try working at a desk or a table to improve not only your productivity levels but also your posture.
Finding ways to stay motivated while studying online for your degree is critical for your academic success. Set realistic goals, breaking down your tasks and having something to look forward to will help you feel less overwhelmed by your studies.
Although it isn’t easy doing your degree online, the beauty in all of this is that we are in it together. We are all feeling the same way, so remember that you are not alone. If you are still struggling to stay motivated during these challenging times, don’t hesitate to seek help. You can find information regarding the University of Brighton’s wellbeing services here.
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