10 Great Study Tips for Online Learning During COVID-19
As we’ve learned from the Coronavirus outbreak, the routine of our daily life can be quickly altered by forces beyond our control. But what about forces within our control? As in any great challenge, the best path for society has always been to keep moving forward, help one another, and to never stop innovating. That sometimes means that while we will face temporary hurdles, we must look toward our future and continue to prepare for the better days ahead. And they will come. Look back at any of history’s challenges; the 20th century alone experienced the great depression and two world wars. And mankind bounced back strong. So will you.
Your education is your personal innovation. While Lincoln Tech’s campuses are currently closed to the public, your courses will continue online until the pandemic passes. During this time, you can continue to learn and come out of this historic event ready for a new career. To help you achieve this, we have prepared a set of best practices for your success.
10 Ways to Boost Your Temporary Online Training
1 - Build a daily routine
Making a daily task list is one of the best ways to remember details that you might otherwise forget. This is a place for you to jot down milestones, including when an assignment is due. Even better, you can place countdown notes in your morning routine. Nothing gets someone moving faster than “big exam tomorrow”.
2 - Log into class on time as if you’re going to campus
While this is meant for temporary distance learning, this tip will serve you well your entire career. The ability to manage your time wisely will set you apart from those who do not adhere to tight schedules. Employers will notice quickly if you respond in a timely manner, especially when you are not supervised directly. When you return to the campus for daily classes, you will be able to continue the routine you maintained during distance learning.
3 - Identify your learning goals for the day
This goes hand-in-hand with maintaining a daily routine. Add daily goals to your schedule, and refer to them to help stay on target with your deadlines. If you miss a goal, do not despair – add it to the next day’s schedule or set aside extra time before class the next morning to reach that goal.
4 - Have a dedicated study space
If possible, set up a workspace away from any distractions, such as the TV. If you have access to a room where you can isolate yourself, this is your best bet. Make it as comfortable as you can, so you can place all your focus on your assignments.
5 - Build a study plan
Study plans can easily be created from your course syllabus. Your goal is to keep the pace of learning the same as if you were in a Lincoln Tech classroom. Try to keep your note taking as orderly as possible. Clean notes and easy-to-find references will help you maximize exam study time.
6 - Participate in online discussions
There is an app for everything, and online discussion apps can keep you in touch with the students in your program. Our suggestion is to use dedicated apps like Skype or Web-ex - organize a group discussion and collaborate together. Group discussions can also be held on Facebook if you organize a group and collaborate together. There are free versions available for all three of these apps.
7 - Take study breaks
Take breaks! It may help to take a 5 or 10 minute break every hour. Get up and stretch, and maybe get a snack. This will help you return quickly and get right back into learning. If you plan to study the full day, cut it in half with a decent lunch break.
8 - Ask for help when you need it
Lincoln Tech instructors are available to help you with your curriculum. If you’re stuck on a concept or have a question, reach out and ask. The best methods to contact them include email and the student portal.
9 - Keep in touch with your classmates
While we covered participating with collaboration apps like Skype, Web-ex and Facebook, it’s also a good idea to discuss general study ideas with your classmates. One of your classmates may have devised an efficient study method that you could benefit from. Conversely, you might be doing something that could help your classmates study more efficiently. Share these ideas.
10 - Stay motivated
This is a trying time for the entire world. While it may be easy to get caught up in the news, try not to let it affect your outlook. This may seem like a dark time, but the future is bright. Our society has bounced back from major events like this time and time again. Stay motivated, it will help you and the community at large, and you will be ready with a new skill for when life returns to normal.
One last thing…
Wi-Fi. If you are working online at home with many people in the same dwelling, you might notice that your Wi-Fi reacts a bit slower. This might be a bandwidth issue, as everyone is online at the same time. If this happens, you may want to work out a Wi-Fi use schedule to counteract this effect.
Good luck with your studies – we are here for you, and we’re looking forward to seeing you on campus again soon.