Let’s face it, the world has changed in the wake of Covid-19. With home studying on the rise and the threat of lockdown ever-present, it’s a difficult time to knuckle down and concentrate.
You might be asking yourself, ‘How can I study at home?’ or ‘Is studying at home effective?’ And to answer these questions, we’ve put together 7 top tips for home studying during a pandemic.
So, whether you’re quarantined alone, with friends or your whole family, read on to learn how to study during Covid, regardless of your situation.
1: Set up your study area
Finding the perfect place to set up your study space is half the battle when it comes to studying from home. To carve out some precious real estate, find a quiet area and turn it into a haven of learning. This might include setting up a desk, commandeering a reading nook, utilising the spare room or transforming a neglected corner in your bedroom.
Once you’ve found your spot, fill it with everything you need to avoid distractions. Add books, stationery, computer, snacks, cushions, and an ergonomic chair for maximum study power.
2: Schedule your time
One of the most neglected aspects of home studying is scheduling the time needed to do it. Procrastination is an old friend; and with the internet at your fingertips, it’s easy to fall into the trap of playing on your phone until it’s time to go to bed.
It might sound cliched, but scheduling your study time, including breaks and recreation, makes it easier to manage your day. There’s a myriad of study schedule tools on the internet, such as The Feynman Technique and the Pomodoro Technique. However, if you want to keep things simple, just put aside a set amount of time each day that you can stick to. It also makes it easier to memorise and creates a habit-forming routine.
3: Eliminate distractions
For the more noise-sensitive among us, distractions come in many forms. That’s why managing your environment stops you from losing out on productive downtime.
Three great ways to manage distractions include:
- Letting your household know your study schedule and asking them to be extra quiet during those hours
- Purchasing noise-cancelling headphones and playing lo-fi instrumental music to help you concentrate
- Putting a ‘currently studying’ sign on your door so others know not to disturb you
4: Set reminders
Alongside your study schedule, it’s useful to set yourself reminders. For example:
- Exam dates
- Deadlines
- Points of improvement
- Areas of study that need greater focus
- Where you’re up to after each study session
Some great ways to track your progress are through scheduling apps like Trello, Evernote or your Google calendar.
5: Learn to focus efficiently
Focussing is a skill that gets easier the more we practise. One way to make sure you’re capitalising on your study time is to go for a walk beforehand. Another great method is to spend 10 – 20 minutes meditating or mindful breathing before opening your books. Centring your thoughts and getting yourself into the right mindset improves your ability to retain information, which maximises the effectiveness of your studies.
6: Stay happy and healthy
Lockdown can be lonely and isolating, which breeds unhealthy habits if left unaddressed. Taking care of both your physical and mental health is important, and you can do this by:
- Taking regular breaks
- Going for a daily walk
- Eating a balanced diet
- Staying in touch with friends
- Using your free time to have fun
- Rewarding yourself after each successful study session
7: Maintain realistic goals
Many of us fall into the trap of thinking we can be productive every day. However, the truth is that some days we’re motivated and some days we want to binge watch TV whilst eating pizza. The trick is to set realistic goals that won’t exhaust you two days into your study schedule.
In these unprecedented times, studying from home isn’t as easy as it sounds, which is why it’s important not to take on too much at once. By working out exactly how much time you’re able to (realistically) dedicate to your studies, the more likely you are to stick to your study schedule.
Good luck!
If you enjoyed these tips, don’t forget to check out our blog on 10 amazing STEM resources for home working.