5 Ways Students Can Stay Motivated While Doing Online Classes

There’s no denying that social distancing and living in quarantine aren’t ideal. The Coronavirus pandemic has taken the world by storm and people everywhere are finding themselves homebound for weeks on end. Some people are quarantined alone, while others may be living with someone. Whatever the case may be, staying focused on tasks can be rather difficult while people are within the comfort of their own homes.

What’s more, when it comes to college students, taking classes online at home rather than being on campus is a whole different ball game. Personally, I have a very hard time staying focused on my school work and keeping myself motivated. With that being said, here are five ways that other college students – including myself – can stay motivated despite classes moving online. 

1. Designate A Study Space

One of the most effective ways to stay motivated is to designate a special study space. This can be a space where you attend zoom classes, complete assignments, and so much more. Some great examples of ideal study spaces are personal home offices, desks, or even a dining room table. However, a bed is probably not a great example of a study space because being in bed brings on feelings of relaxation and the desire to lounge around, or even sleep. No matter how you approach this, designating a study space will definitely help you hit the books. 

2. Use Incentives

From my experience, putting incentives in place for completing tasks makes people more likely to get these things done quicker, and more efficiently. For instance, if you tell yourself that you can have your favorite snack once you complete an assignment or two, you will probably get that assignment done quicker and will also put more effort into it. I know for a fact when I give myself incentives, I find that I work more efficiently. As any college student can see, when they put incentives and rewards on the table, there isn’t anything they can’t do. 

3. Write Things Down

College students juggle so many different tasks at once. Between a boatload of classes and jobs/internships, it is easy to forget all the little things that need to be done. That’s why writing things down is important. Personally, writing down the things I need to do has drastically changed my patterns and has helped me accomplish more of my goals. This can include making a to-do list, writing in a planner, keeping a journal, and more. So the next time you find yourself forgetting about what assignments you need to hand in next, just write things down!

4. Set Realistic Goals

One of the most important things to remember when staying focused is that you should not overwork yourself. Setting realistic goals is one of the most strategic ways of keeping college students on track and making sure they aren’t stretching too far to reach any goals. While every person has their own set of specific goals, a common theme is making sure that they are attainable. Being realistic – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic we are living through – is important. So, why not set realistic goals?

5. Go Outside

Finally, going outside is a great way to stay motivated. Yes, with social distancing and quarantine in place, it isn’t the best time to travel anywhere. Yet, going out to a backyard or a front porch would suffice. In fact, pulling up a chair and doing work out in either of these places might even increase both motivation and productivity. Besides this, going on a socially distant walk or partaking in another form of exercise could get the juices in your brain flowing. At the end of the day, maybe a little dose of sunshine is all that’s needed to get you motivated!

There are many ways college students can cope with the changed format of online classes these days. From using incentives to setting various goals, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish! Do you have your own methods for studying during this quarantine? Let us know in the comments below.

Featured image via Pexels