Tips for Staying Focused while Learning from Home

The fall semester, whether in person or virtual, is always a busy time.

It can be hard to adjust to a schedule after being on summer break, especially after being in quarantine for months. Adapting to virtual learning can be even more challenging, especially for those just starting their college experience in the age of a pandemic. There is no library, study rooms, or even the lounge in The Spot—often the go-to’s for students who need a focused environment to study in.

Staying focused and motivated at home can be frustrating. Parents, siblings, or even roommates can be disruptive. It’s easy to get distracted by pets, TV, or literally anything just existing in your bedroom. That’s why it’s important to establish a space dedicated to school to help you thrive.

Tips for Creating a Focused Environment

• If you have an extra space in your house, a guest room, or even a garage, consider turning it into your personal office. Set up a desk and keep your textbooks and notebooks inside to give it that academic feel. Dedicate it as a class and study room only.
   
• If your bedroom is all you have, try dividing it up. Make one side purely for school by moving your desk and keeping all your books, homework, and computer there. Put up a divider so you can differentiate from the two spaces. While the temptations to Zoom from the bed will still be there, a focused space is much better for engaged learning.
   
• Set boundaries with the other people living in your home. Have a conversation with them and make sure they know not to bother you while you're in class. Create a shared calendar on Google, put up a schedule on your refrigerator, or a whiteboard up on your door. Even a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign around your bedroom doorknob may do the job.
   
• Try to turn your phone off or leave it to charge in another room. It’s no mystery that our smartphones are the biggest distractions in every aspect of our lives and this is no different for class. It’s so easy to text or scroll through social media when you’re not being monitored by a professor in class. That’s why it's so important to monitor yourself!

Tips for Developing a Routine

Being away from campus presents many challenges, one of which is the lack of routine. A routine is important for lowering stress levels and improved mental health and creates more time to relax. Without one, it’s easy to lose motivation and can lead to a buildup of assignments, which is never good.

• Get a day planner or set reminders in your phone to keep track of your assignments and due dates. Download the Moodle app, which will automatically remind you about assignments due the day of. This will help you accomplish these tasks in a timely manner, instead of doing all your work at the last second.
   
• Set daily goals. Start working out, make time for healthy meals, read a chapter in a book you like, or even watch an episode of your favorite TV show. Whatever it is that helps you relieve stress, make sure to work it into your day (preferably after you’ve finished your homework).
   
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Keeping your body on a routine can help you sleep better at night and wake up more refreshed each morning.

Get focused and get motivated! These tips will set you up for success and help you accomplish your goals. Remember, you’re not alone. All of us, students and professors, are adjusting and adapting to virtual and remote learning. It will take time and patience but most of all; a good attitude and the willingness to learn.