Tips For Staying Motivated To Study When School Is Remote & Online

When your education is moved remote & online it can be tough staying motivated to study. Working from home, in general, can be difficult because the number of distractions makes it harder to get into a focused mindset. When doing school online or working remotely, basically whenever you’re stuck at home a lot, it’s easy for the days to blend together. That means that the upcoming exam can be here way faster than you think because you won’t have the reminders from your professors or fellow students in the same capacity. You’ll need to find ways for staying motivated to study on your own when stuck at home for your online classes! Here are some tips for staying motivated to study when school is remote & online!

1. Keep Your Goals At The Front Of Your Mind

This may seem like an obvious “tip” for staying motivated to study because you’d think that obviously your goals at the front of your mind. But you’d be surprised how easily it can be for your motivation to diminish and thus your vision towards your goal (graduating, for example) as well. Even though you aren’t getting the full experience and benefits of in-person classes at the moment doesn’t mean you can’t learn and better yourself. Keep working towards your goals regardless of whether you’re studying in the library or at home. Time only seems to be moving slower with COVID-19 around because in the long scheme of things this is just a phase. Eventually, we will move past everything and what will matter is how we conducted ourselves during this time of uncertainty and stress. Your future self will be happy and proud if you found ways for staying motivated to study when having all your classes remote and online.

2. Mix Up Your Study Spots

If you’re feeling absolutely stir crazy with your attempt in staying motivated to study you might try switching up your study spots. Get a power extender and plug in your laptop outside and enjoy the fresh air while getting some reading and studying done. A change of scenery can really help you feel less trapped and really help in staying motivated to study when your schooling is online. Plus getting some fresh air and sunshine is great for you! You can find some nearby spots outside to read some chapters of your class textbook or maybe just to memorize some flashcards for an upcoming exam.

3. Work To Stay Connected To Others

Even though having all classes online is a pretty strong indication that quarantine/shelter-in-place due to COVID-19 is still prevalent, you want to make sure you stay connected to others! It can be really beneficial for not only your mental health but in staying motivated to study that you remain connected to others online or at least socially distanced. Your fellow students can be very beneficial in this regard as staying connected to them can truly help you in staying motivated to study. Helping each other with assignments and studying for exams can still be done online with the marvels of Zoom or other video conference applications. Also, you want to make sure to stay connected with friends and family during these stressful, uncertain, and difficult times. Maintaining your relationships can be very important so that you can stay mentally healthy which is very impactful in staying motivated to study.

4. Don’t Forget To Give Yourself Breaks

Although it seems counterproductive, taking breaks from your work can be very helpful and important for staying motivated to study. You need to give your mind and body breaks besides just for exercise, eating, and sleep. Yes, this means you SHOULD be taking occasional Netflix breaks or playing video games or shopping online or however you like to spend your free time. Having a mindset of all-work-all-the-time can actually be pretty harmful to your motivation. With little breaks or fun, it can be tough to visualize and physically see progress when rationalizing what your hard work is actually getting you for what you’re sacrificing.

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5. Sleep, Sleep, Sleep

Sleep is extremely important in staying motivated to study because if you’re tired the temptation of sleeping is too easy to succumb to. The temptation of taking a “quick nap” is much harder to resist when your comfy bed is just in the next room. A similar argument can be had for when you wake up for online classes or just to study. It’s tough for most people to get out of bed for lectures or going to the library to study but the push of getting ready and walking out the door usually can motivate them. But if you’re doing online school you likely don’t need to shower or drive anywhere you just have to log onto your computer. So it can be much harder to resist the fantastic temptation of going back to sleep for “just one more minute” when you wake up early for work. If your goal is staying motivated to study when school is online then getting plenty of sleep will make a big difference!

6. Exercise & Eating Healthy

Exercise and eating healthy can be very important for staying motivated to study for your online classes. Exercise can help you get some sunshine and fresh air when being cooped up inside all day long. It can also help keep you mentally (and physically) fit which is important during these stressful times of COVID-19, sheltering-in-place, and having all online classes. Similarly, eating healthy will help you in staying motivated to study as well. Eating only junk food like fast food, chips, candy, etc. may be easier and tasty but won’t help your body and mind be in a studying and focused mindset. Also related to the tip above, exercise & eating healthy is important because if you don’t you might just be more inclined for those “quick naps” which can waste a bunch of time. If you’re wanting to stay motivated to study then you gotta take care of yourself in both body & mind with a healthy diet and exercise. You’ll notice the improvements in your focus, mood, and more once these become part of your routine.