5 Student Productivity Tips for Online Students

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Remote learning has steadily gained popularity, as it provides a flexible, accessible, and engaging educational experience. However, online learning requires a lot of discipline, which can be challenging to manage. You tell yourself you will study, and the next thing you know, you’ve been on social media all evening. So, how can you stay attentive and productive while studying online?

Online Student Productivity Tips

Students sometimes find it difficult to stay focused and manage their online study time. The following tips may help you be more productive as a student.

1. Carve Out Your Study Sanctuary

One tactic to encourage productive online learning is establishing a dedicated study space. Instead of studying on your bed or couch, designate a quiet area in your home solely for coursework.

This learning space should have a comfortable chair, a reliable internet connection, and adequate lighting. Choosing a study space allows you to separate your work and personal life. This study sanctuary will signal to your brain that it’s time to focus.

2. Take Notes

While relying solely on digital materials may be quicker, taking notes by hand enhances memory retention. You can jot down important points, summaries, and key concepts with a pen and paper. This active note-taking process can reinforce your understanding of the material and aid in effective recall during exams and assignments.

Online classes make it easy to get comfortable and zone out during lectures. Taking notes can help you stay focused because you will not navigate away from the lesson to other tabs. In addition, taking notes by hand gives you a chance to put the content in simple, easy-to-digest language.

3. Join a Study Group

Studying with others can provide valuable support and motivation. Group discussions are also fantastic for enhancing listening skills and boosting confidence. They can promote a deeper understanding of a topic and increase long-term retention.

You can use various technologies and platforms to connect with your classmates from the comfort of your home. Networking with your peers allows you to share insights, clarify doubts, and discuss challenging concepts.

4. Develop a Schedule and Stick to It

Most online courses are accessible at any time. This convenience may tempt you to postpone your coursework. However, to stay productive, you should make a schedule and stick to it. A well-structured plan is the path to effective time management and productivity.

Create a weekly or daily schedule that includes dedicated study blocks, online class times, and breaks. Be realistic when allocating your time, and allow breaks to rest and recharge. A clear plan will keep you focused and maximize your available time.

5. Reward Yourself

Online learning can be tiring and overwhelming. Rewarding yourself can help you stay productive even when you don’t feel like it. After completing a study session or an assignment, treat yourself to a short break, a favorite snack, or some leisure time. Celebrating small victories helps maintain your motivation and reinforces your efforts.

Stay Productive With MedCerts

By implementing these student productivity tips, you can create a welcoming study environment, stay focused, manage your time effectively, and make the most of your online learning experience.

Wherever you are in your academic journey, MedCerts can support your success. We offer online education programs and credentialing for entry-level positions in the healthcare and IT industries. Contact us today to learn more.

Written by

Julie Campos

Julie Campos is the Vice President of Student Success and Career Services at MedCerts. She brings over 14 years of experience in Online Higher Education in both Student Support and Enrollment and started her career at the University of Phoenix, serving most of her tenure as a student-facing leader.

Julie has her Bachelors of Liberal Arts in Political Science from the University of Texas at El Paso, and her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Her areas of expertise are student support in online higher education environments and working with nontraditional students. At MedCerts, she is focused on creating a pro-active student central support model for MedCerts students to reach their goals and has developed the MedCerts Student Support and Outreach Model, created MedCerts Student Success Advisor reports and Dashboards, as well as the Student Success Advisor Playbook. Her proactive approach to student support has been crucial in meeting MedCerts’ student’s needs, as well as completion and certification goals.

Julie has three children – a 10-year-old son and 12- and 4-year-old daughters, who keep her and her husband busy with sports. She is also an avid crafter with an entire room of her home dedicated to the hobby. In her free time, she enjoys teaching wreath making and even has a few “how-to” YouTube videos on the subject!

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