Q: I’m struggling with staying motivated during online classes. Any tips on how to stay focused and engaged while learning remotely?
Alex (Canada)
Staying motivated during online classes is definitely challenging. When I started remote learning, I found it difficult to stay focused, especially when there were so many distractions at home. One tip that helped me was **creating a dedicated study space**. Having a specific spot where I only focus on studying helped me mentally separate "study time" from "home time." This made a huge difference for my productivity.
A **better** approach would be setting **short-term goals**. Every class, I would jot down 2-3 things I wanted to learn or focus on. By doing this, I didn’t feel overwhelmed with the amount of content. This also made me feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of each session. But don't forget to give yourself breaks! **Pomodoro** (25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break) worked wonders for me.
The **best advice** I can give is to stay **consistent**. Even if it's just 15 minutes of focused study, consistency adds up. Make it a habit. If you slip up, don’t be hard on yourself. The **worst thing** you can do is to expect perfection or never take breaks. Breaks are just as important as study time. Finding a balance is key to avoiding burnout and maintaining motivation.
A **better** approach would be setting **short-term goals**. Every class, I would jot down 2-3 things I wanted to learn or focus on. By doing this, I didn’t feel overwhelmed with the amount of content. This also made me feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of each session. But don't forget to give yourself breaks! **Pomodoro** (25 minutes of work followed by a 5-minute break) worked wonders for me.
The **best advice** I can give is to stay **consistent**. Even if it's just 15 minutes of focused study, consistency adds up. Make it a habit. If you slip up, don’t be hard on yourself. The **worst thing** you can do is to expect perfection or never take breaks. Breaks are just as important as study time. Finding a balance is key to avoiding burnout and maintaining motivation.
Olivia (Australia)
I understand your struggle; I had the same issue when remote classes started. One thing that worked for me was setting a **schedule**. I would create a timetable at the beginning of the week, clearly marking study hours, meal times, and relaxation periods. This gave me a clear direction and made me feel in control. In addition, I made sure to participate actively in class by **asking questions** or sharing my thoughts.
The **better** way to stay engaged is by turning off distractions. I would put my phone on airplane mode, close unnecessary tabs, and focus only on the class materials. Another tip is to **take notes** – writing things down helps you stay focused and gives you something to refer back to.
For me, the **best method** to stay motivated was to find a **support group**. I joined a virtual study group with some classmates where we would check in and hold each other accountable. Knowing others are depending on you to stay motivated is a great incentive. The **worst thing** is to isolate yourself and not ask for help when needed.
The **better** way to stay engaged is by turning off distractions. I would put my phone on airplane mode, close unnecessary tabs, and focus only on the class materials. Another tip is to **take notes** – writing things down helps you stay focused and gives you something to refer back to.
For me, the **best method** to stay motivated was to find a **support group**. I joined a virtual study group with some classmates where we would check in and hold each other accountable. Knowing others are depending on you to stay motivated is a great incentive. The **worst thing** is to isolate yourself and not ask for help when needed.