Online learning is one of the things New Normal has given us. Before, we have to go outside, go to our school, and collaborate with our block mates. Although half of the usual things we can do before can still be done in this pandemic, it is still difficult to deny that it is twice or thrice harder for all of us than before. Sometimes because of the pressure to do our pending activities, we hinge our productivity on how many tasks we had to turn in. As a result, we pushed ourselves too hard.
Ang Huwaran collated ten practices that will help you in your online classes to be more bearable and still be productive without feeling burned out in the process;
1. IDENTIFY YOUR LEARNING STYLE
Ever wondered why you have better outputs in activities by just looking at the PowerPoint slides compared to when you have to jot down notes manually?
Well, it is because each one of us has different learning styles. These styles can be categorized as; visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and read/write learning styles.
If you prefer seeing pictures, diagrams, and written directions, you might be a visual learner. On the other hand, if you are comfortable by just listening to verbal instructions rather than written or finding joy discussing information with others or finding it challenging to work quietly for long periods, you are an auditory learner— someone who processes large information by just listening. Meanwhile, kinesthetic learners process information by doing, experiencing, and moving their bodies. Most of them cannot sit still for a long time. They benefit a lot when there are hands-on and fieldwork activities.
Lastly, read and write learners do well when they have to read and write information. Of all learning styles, this kind of learner is the easiest to cater to since their style matches the traditional educational system, which requires a lot of reading and writing.
Identifying your learning style is essential because it helps you remember information the first time you encounter it, thus reducing the amount of time you need to absorb information. It will also help you figure out which are the best and quickest ways for you to study. Finally, it will help you reflect on which kind of activities you might excel on and give you a heads up on what activities you must put more effort into.
2. CREATE YOUR OWN STUDY SPACE AND ATMOSPHERE
Your study space doesn’t have to be aesthetic like the ones you saw on Pinterest, but if you have the money to spare, why not? But if you want a budget-friendly or no cost study area, no one stops you from having one.
Having your own study space helps improve your concentration when studying or attending online classes. It also keeps you free from any distraction that will spoil your focus.
Now, what should you consider in deciding your designated study space? Here are some tips for you:
Comfort. Find a space in your home where you feel comfortable. And please choose anything but the bed. A bed is associated with resting and sleeping; studying in bed will only make you lose focus and decrease productivity. Get comfortable but not too comfortable.
Windows. The benefits of having a study space near a window is that you get natural lighting and fresh air. A well-lit and ventilated study area helps maintain your focus in doing to-do’s in the google classroom. Plus, you will have nice lighting when you are having your google meet or zoom session.
Privacy. Choose a place in your home where you’ll be unlikely to be disturbed when studying or having online classes. You can choose your veranda or terraces if you’re more productive in an open environment.
Have you decided on your study space? Great! You can also prepare snacks or have your favorite playlist play in the background while making your activities due at 11:59 or studying for a quiz or major exams.
3. SCHEDULE EVERYTHING BEFOREHAND
Scheduling your tasks and appointments is an effective way to be reminded of your to-dos. It helps you to manage your time efficiently.
Also, not scheduling your time may get you disorganized, and end up forgetting things.
Having a to-do list helps you prioritize all the tasks that you need to accomplish. Begin it by listing everything you should finish, the most important tasks at the top of the list, and the least important tasks at the bottom.
Scheduling is also a way to fight back procrastination. However, a schedule will not completely solve your procrastination problem, but it can undoubtedly aid it. Knowing that you have a specific block of time to complete a particular task motivates you to get moving. When you do use them effectively, you will be organized and focused. You will experience less stress and anxiety from doing all the activities needed to be passed.
It will give you peace of mind, knowing well what essential tasks you have and have not finished.
If you prioritize intelligently, you will correctly focus on each task's appropriate number of time and energy.
4. INSTALL THESE USEFUL APPS
This is in no way sponsored at all. These apps are just so beneficial in online learning that it would be a shame if it would not be shared with others.
For sure, you have essays and write-ups that demand a wide range of vocabulary. Grammarly and Merriam-Webster Dictionary might help you with vocabulary problems. Grammarly is a writing app that makes sure your work is correct and clear and easy to read. It helps you point out issues in the text, style, punctuation, wordiness, and suggest better grammar to have a context-specific output. It is also worth noting that it has a plagiarism check and citation tool, which is truly helpful for all students. If you are having a hard time trying to understand a word you are unfamiliar with, you can easily find it in Merriam-Webster. It is an offline dictionary where you can access definitions, synonyms, and spelling.
For studying, Notion and Quizlet will be a helping hand in notetaking and memorization. Notion is an all-in-one workspace that can be a perfect opportunity for you to use your creativity in organizing your files, notes, and projects because it has no limits. Meanwhile, Quizlet is an application that allows students to learn a variety of topics from History to Biology through games, flashcards, and tests. The use of Quizlet is effective to increase the students’ motivation in learning concepts and topics.
If you have a device that has a limited storage, Google Drive is an application that should be in your phone since it is an online storage where you can back up your large files. It is paperless, free, and it works on all platforms.
5. TRY THE POMODORO TECHNIQUE
Are you looking for a hack that makes you more productive and, at the same time, increases your concentration? Well, this technique is for you.
Pomodoro Technique is a time management framework, which increases your concentration and productivity.
Here's how you can start the Pomodoro Technique. Firstly, choose a task you want to accomplish. Second, set a timer; you can also use your phone to pick up a timer and set for 25 minutes. Third, work your task straight for 25 minutes without distracting yourself from anything, not unless your timer rings. Then, take a break for five minutes; make sure you use your break wisely. You can lay down on your bed, or you can roam around in your house to make you feel relaxed and energized. Lastly, take a more extended break, up to 15-30 minutes after taking the four studying segments. Repeat this process until you are done with your task.
If you want to focus on and feel less anxious and overwhelmed about your tasks, always remember that the Pomodoro Technique exists.
6. STOP DELAYING YOUR PROGRESS
Students procrastinate for many reasons, but the common cause is task aversion, which means that the more task is unappealing, the more students want to avoid it.
Procrastination has a negative impact on students' grades and also on their overall health status.
You can always avoid procrastinating by; breaking the work into smaller tasks. Overloaded tasks can be scary at first. So, why not divide the tasks into smaller sections?
Through this, you will be able to handle each assigned task and finish it before the deadline. It will also help you to develop and exercise project preparation and time management skills, and discipline.
Moreover, make the assigned tasks mean to you. Find ways on how your interest connects to the tasks that give you the motivation to get started.
Most importantly, develop good study skills. Improve your study skills in the learning process by reading your lessons and rewriting your notes because if you continue what you are doing, you will fall in love with it. So, the next time you have an assigned task, you will do it right away.
Defeating procrastination is an excellent achievement because you are not letting yourself stress out about the tasks, but instead, you choose to do it right away.
7. DEDICATE TIME FOR ‘CHILL’ TIME
American Psychology Association said that stress could have serious health consequences. To avoid it, it is important to avoid stressors. Admit it or not, the long list of activities needed to be turned in in Google Classroom is somehow and somewhat stressing all of us. What do we do? Take a break. Being away from your activities in the meantime.
No. This is not a minimal break throughout your study time nor an excuse to procrastinate. Instead, this is a short to the long break that helps you recharge when you are exhausted and on the brink of burning out. You can spend your break by watching a series, taking your pet outside for a walk (don’t forget to put a face mask and shield on when doing so), or chatting with your friends, basically any activity that helps your brain relax a bit.
Taking a break is proven and tested by research that it indeed reduces stress and boosts brain function. As a result, it increases productivity. So the next time someone asks you why you are procrastinating, tell them you are not, and you are just recharging and taking a break.
8. STUDY WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Who said group studying is only limited in cafes and face to face learning? Definitely not true. You can also do that by having your group chats active.
Besides group members helping you keep tabs on different tasks needed to be turned in, group studying also decreases your will to procrastinate. You will have a set time for studying and have the spirit to keep up with your friends’ progress, making you less likely to procrastinate on your activities.
Another reason why it is good is that— it helps you learn faster. If you don’t understand a concept, you can ask your friends some questions to help you understand. Having someone clear up your confusion saves time that you would have spent trying to figure out difficult concepts.
It also gives you an outlet for discussing topics you are struggling with at school with your friends. Lastly, you might adapt more effective types of study methods by studying with your friends. Your study methods might be good, but you may also sharpen your skills by adding new methods that your group study members are using.
9. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
“Sleep is for the weak!”, I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase before or rather, you’ve said it yourself. Well, sorry to bust your bubble but not getting enough sleep makes you weak.
Sleep deprivation will only cause trouble in your academic performance and affects your brain function. Studies have shown that students who pull “all-nighters” are more likely to get a lower GPA.
Getting adequate sleep has many benefits. First, it helps improve memory, which is essential for processing new lessons you’ve tackled or studied. Second, it sharpens your attention. When you’re sleep-deprived, it will make you feel exhausted, making it harder for you to focus or absorb new information. But with getting enough sleep, it will be easier for you to focus since you’re well-rested, and you will have the energy to spare for all your online classes for the day. A well-rested body is as important as a well-rested mind. Third, sleep improves your immune system. Not getting enough sleep will put you at many health risks such as colds, stroke, heart diseases, and other health complications. So, make sure you get that good quality of sleep for 7-8 hours.
10. MAINTAIN A ROUTINE
We already know that having a routine provides discipline in our lives. When we were younger, our parents taught us to go to bed at a certain time, wake up at a particular time, and always do our homework. How about when we are already grown up? Is a routine still necessary? Of course. We still need it to be more productive each day.
Some people see routine as boring and would rather live in a carefree manner. However, creating and adhering to a routine is also a path to freedom that quickly accomplishes our task. Free from unwanted fear and anxieties. It enables us to recognize what job needs to be done each day without thinking too much.
Maintaining a daily routine can help us to be more familiar and comfortable with the flow of our day-to-day lives. It reduces the chances of procrastinating and it will eventually be ingrained into our system when we live by these routines.
All of these are useless if it would not go hand in hand with discipline. Yes, motivation propels your determination to work on all your tasks, but it helps you be on track— to be still progressing with discipline. With the combination of discipline, sanity breaks, and routine, online classes will hopefully be bearable and tolerable. Exercising these practices with discipline and productivity will not only save you from burning out and exhaustion. These habits might help you in the long run as a student, individual, and future professional.
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