5 Remote Learning Tips for Staying Focused
Reading Time: ~3 Mins
There are many perks to being able to work and learn remotely, but staying focused can be a huge challenge. The lack of the regular routine you may have been used to adds an extra challenge in trying to maintain focus for long periods of time. Without the structure of a ‘normal’ learning environment, the distractions are everywhere and can be very persistent.
If you find yourself struggling with focus in your remote learning efforts, take a look at some of our tips below.
1. Keep a Designated, Tidy Learning Space
Creating any sort of separation between your desk space and living space will help your mind differentiate between leisure time and study time. Many students don’t have an extra room they can reserve for a workspace, but luckily, it doesn’t need to be. Try to find a part of your living space you can designate to your studies that is away from sights or items that may be distracting.
2. Get Moving
Without the normal breaks and distractions that occur in a traditional classroom, it’s easier to get hyper focused on something and end up draining our brain power. If you’re hitting a mental wall, listen to your body and give yourself a small break. Stand up, grab a drink of water, and move around for five minutes. During longer breaks, try to incorporate walks outside as often as possible in your week.
3. Establish a Routine
Creating and sticking to a routine will become increasingly easier over time and will help you with being able to maintain focus on your studies. After sticking to the same routine continuously, your internal clock will begin to pick up on what is happening at what time. This means committing to consistent break times so that your body learns to anticipate when food and rest is around the corner.
4. Create Your Perfect Atmosphere
Make your workspace as enjoyable as possible! One good thing about learning remotely is that you can make your space conducive to what works best for you individually. Creating your perfect atmosphere means learning what sounds you work best to, always getting the window seat for some vitamin D, and lighting your favourite candle. You will work and focus better in a space you enjoy being in.
5. Cut Down the Distractions
While a lot of your work may be done on your laptop, with the world at your fingertips, putting your phone away from arm’s reach will encourage your brain to stay focused without the constant scroll breaks. Picking up your phone can take you right out of a focused state and make it harder to get back into that headspace. Do yourself a favour by plugging your phone in another room when you’re diving into a project or need to put all your attention towards a task for a set period of time. You will be surprised how much more work you’re able to accomplish and then you’ll see phone breaks as a reward.
With a little structure and adding these few tips into your routine, being able to maintain your focus will become increasingly easier. Whether you’re at home, or learning from somewhere else in the world, we hope these tips make your overall remote learning experience as productive and enjoyable as possible.
Check out some of our remote learning opportunities, including our 6 Week Digital Marketing Bootcamp.
Written by Mackenzie Mowat
