21 Apr Tips for Studying at Home

In case you missed our Studying from Home posts, here they all are in one place!

Studying at home can be a struggle, with distractions, procrastination or lack of motivation.
Now that our classes are online we would like to share some tips that will hopefully make studying at home that bit easier.

TIP 1: Environment

Setting up your workspace can get you in that study mode. Keeping your space tidy, without clutter, can make you feel organised and less stressed. Make sure all the items you need are in hands reach to avoid having to keep getting up and breaking that train of thought.

Try to get rid of any distractions such as notifications on your phone and laptop, or by putting headphones on if the house is noisy. Calm or familiar music has been shown to help with concentration…as long as it doesn’t tempt you to get up and start dancing around your room! ?

For more tips on the best study environment check out How to Create the Ultimate Study Space in Your Home

Tip 2: Put on some pants!

It is very tempting to roll out of bed, get a coffee and just start working without even getting dressed! As good as it sounds to stay in your pyjamas all day it doesn’t help with the work/study mind frame and getting yourself motivated. A shower and a fresh set of clothes (they can be just as comfy as pyjamas!) can help to make you feel refreshed and ready for the day!

Tip 3: Plan Breaks

Although it is very impressive to have your head buried in your books for multiple hours, it’s not the best thing for your health or your productivity. Not taking breaks can result in loss of concentration or a struggle to hold information.

So set a timer, or a task to complete before taking your next break. If you have been staring at a screen, try not to use your break time checking Facebook or Instagram. Walk around, get some fresh air if possible, put on a load of washing, even do some yoga exercises. There are also exercises, and deskercises, specifically for people who sit at a computer all day which can help with your neck, shoulders and wrists.

Just be sure to do something that won’t distract you so much that you won’t be able to get back into your work, like maybe stay away from any binge-worthy tv shows!

Tip 4: Take notes

You may think at the time of studying that ‘there’s no way you won’t remember this information’! But come tomorrow, or next week it could be all a blur. Taking notes not only lets you re-read the information and remind yourself of what you learned, but also helps in memorising it. Physically writing the words and seeing them in your own handwriting can help imprint them on your memory. If there’s a lot of information to remember try using Q cards to break it down into sections, or using different coloured pens and highlighters. Depending on what your learning style is, imagery can also be very useful. Mind Mapping requires you to draw the information instead of writing it. We all have different ways of learning. If you don’t know your learning style, you can find out with a quick test online; http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml

Tip 5: Communication

Just because you are not in the classroom doesn’t mean you can’t still get the benefits of being in the classroom. Your mentor is still available to answer questions and help with assessments during the usual class and collaborate times. Reach out to classmates through email, phone or Facebook. Studying alone doesn’t have to be lonely, and keeping that communication with others can help with your mental health.

Each course has its own Facebook page where you can post useful links or information on what you’re studying about, or maybe ask a question about the subject or assessment. You never know, other classmates could be wondering the exact same thing!

Some mentors may have asked students to contact them first to arrange a time for collaborate, so please check this with your mentor first. Create a list prior to your e-meeting or video call so you don’t forget what you wanted to ask.

Tip 6: Reward yourself

Getting the motivation to study at home can be a struggle, especially if friends or housemates are doing something a lot more interesting and fun. So, you should be proud of yourself for sitting down and getting the work done!

Set a goal for yourself, either studying for a certain amount of time or getting a certain amount of work completed, and when you reach that goal give yourself a little reward. This can be anything from a tasty treat to some Netflix and chill time, whatever gives you that motivation to reach your goal!