For most scholars, studying at home is one of the blissful things they could wish for. You get to rise, rest and set at your own time, enjoy your hot cup of coffee while donning your favorite pajamas. Basically, there’s a lot of freedom that comes with taking your courses at home.
Studies show that 68% of online students do it because of the ability to juggle work, family and their social life more easily. Further research indicates that students love the ability to study at their own convenience, anytime and anywhere they want. However, with the exclusive freedom comes responsibility. Being responsible is a great virtue for anyone studying at home, whether online or offline.
It can be challenging to stay focused and productive when studying at home. The elements of distraction within a house are enough to divert your attention from studies for a whole day. And that’s why it’s important to develop some guidelines or rules that can make your study sessions at home productive. Here are some of the tried and tested tips to help you with that.
Establish positive habits and routines
Since no one is around to boss you on when you should wake up and what you should do, it’s easy to get complacent. To ensure you manage time more properly and that you don’t waste much time on Facebook, the tv or just lazying around, establish a routine. A routine offers a system to get things done, manage activities and ensure you also have enough time relax and touch base with your peers.
Dressed for productivity
Apart from being great nightwear, pajamas also make the perfect indoor outfit. But it’s still a worth it to get out of your yoga pants or nighties when studying at home. What you wear influences significantly how you act and choosing the right clothing can help improve your psychological processes, boosting your productivity. Whenever possible, try and have an early morning shower and put on something respectable. This will make you feel refreshed and relaxed to start studying.
Establish a studyspace
Having a dedicated workspace can instantly usher you into a study mode. Studying in bed or on the sofa is still an option, but this doesn’t work for everyone. Setup a table or a desk and invest in a good chair that has back and hands support structures. Kitchen counter and coffee tables can be a great workspace, provided you feel comfortable. Also, ensure the place is well lighted, particularly if your sessions involve a lot of book reads.
Another way to spice up your study sessions is to change your location more often. Study under a tree in your yard or that patio you rarely spend time on. This can impact positively on your focus.
Avoid multitasking
It’s easy to engage in other things in between your studies without even knowing. Some people will try to catch up on their favorite tv series while still drafting some important school notes. To ensure you fully grasp concepts and course theories, concentrate on one thing at a time. If it’s time to study, don’t get distracted by your phone or the tv.
Finally, take sensible breaks. And speaking of breaks, try something off-screen like short walks around the house or grab a fruit for refreshment. There are several things you can do to stay productive when studying from home. You only need to discover study pattern that works best for you.