Studying online is becoming increasingly popular, and it is important that you should know how to stay motivated in order to complete your assignments.
There are many perks to studying online, but it is also fair to mention that it could take more self-discipline and motivation than you might originally have thought it does. It may be very easy to get distracted and caught up in everyday life. Finding the motivation to study can sometimes be challenging.
Here are 7 tips to keep you motivated and make sure your studies stay on track:
1. Plan Your Schedule
First of all, create a schedule for yourself. Whether it’s a daily planner, an online calendar or a paper calendar on your fridge, use whatever works for you.
Plan out your schedule for the month. Make sure to put in all your assignment deadlines, exams, and any other important dates. Also, very important, include any social commitments or holidays. This way you will have a clear view of the month ahead.
You can then plan weekly projects in order to prioritize your work. Give yourself enough time to study and complete all the work required. If you feel that you would need an hour to complete a task, add another 15 minutes to it, just to be on the safe side.
Attainable daily goals and to do lists are a great way to break down your work and schedule time to get
everything done throughout the day. Don’t take on too much because you will feel drained at the end of the day. Completing your to do list tasks or weekly goals does boost your mood.
Changes are bound to happen sometimes, and you may need to rearrange your schedule. Having a basic plan to refer to can be very useful when this happens.
It will help you stay organized and act as a reminder of deadlines. If plans do change, rearranging things is much easier and less stressful if you have a schedule in place.
2. Take Breaks
It may seem strange to encourage taking breaks when talking about motivation. However, research has shown that breaks are an important part of a successful work ethic. Taking strategic breaks can refresh your mind, restore motivation and increase productivity.
Studying for long periods of time without taking a break can leave your mind exhausted. Your brain needs to rest. Taking a short break after 90 minutes of studying can help you remain focused. This is not an excuse to go watch Netflix though.
Take a break to do some yoga, walk your dog or just get some fresh air. Movement is good for the body and can help boost your energy. A change of scenery and environment will also do wonders for your energy levels and reduce stress.
Other ways to take a break include getting something to eat, enjoying a coffee or tea, a short power nap (10 to 20 minutes), or meditation. All of these options will give your mind some valuable downtime. You can then return to your studies refreshed and ready to focus.
3. Create an Inspiring Study Space
Studying from home is a nice perk of online learning. You may be tempted to get comfortable on the couch or even stay in bed and study in your pajamas. Whilst comfortable, this does not generally promote productivity. Creating a space where you can study will help foster good work habits and make you feel more motivated.
A tidy, well-lit space will help you focus and study more effectively. Make sure that your area is comfortable and has personal touches so that you would want to spend time there. It is a good idea to reserve this space solely for studying. Doing this will separate it a bit from your home environment. This helps you get into your work frame of mind faster and avoid distractions to focus on your studies.
Studying online means you can work from anywhere, not just your home. So, if you prefer working from coffee shops or the local library feel free to take advantage of this. Changing up your surroundings can also increase motivation and keep your mind active.
4. Keep to A Routine
Having a routine is related to scheduling, but your routine is more about your day to day habits. Finding a routine that works for you and sticking to it can help you be successful and get more done in the day.
If you build time for studying into your daily routine, you are more likely to actually do it. Otherwise, it is easier to procrastinate and put things off due to lack of motivation. Making studying a regular habit in your daily routine will help you be more successful and reach your goals.
5. Reward Yourself for Achievements
Finishing an assignment or passing an exam are things you should be proud of. Even meeting your study goals for the week or completing your to-do list are achievements. Don’t be afraid to celebrate them.
Share your success with friends and family or treat yourself to something nice. Celebrating and acknowledging your achievements creates positive energy and encourages more internal motivation. So, go ahead and celebrate the little triumphs, you deserve it.
6. Connect with Other Students
Studying online can be isolating, but there is no reason for that to be the case. With modern technology and the internet, there are so many ways to connect with people. If you live in another town or country, you may not be able to meet people in person, but you can connect online.
Make use of the online resources and interactive groups in the university. You will likely be able to connect with other students on your course. Join an online community or create a group on social media where you can all connect to discuss your studies and help each other.
Connecting with local students in your area is another great option. You do not need to be studying the same thing. Meeting up with fellow students can be a great opportunity to network and build new relationships. You can help each other stay motivated in your own studies.
7. Stay Balanced
It is important to study and to be successful in your degree, but do not let it become overwhelming. It can be very easy to neglect your personal life. Having a healthy balance will help you stay positive, motivated and focused on your goals.
Balancing your studies, family, friends and work life can be complicated, especially if you are studying from home. You can easily fall into the trap of studying or working all the time which can lead to burnout. Learning to separate work and studies from your social and home life will help prevent this.
Remember to accept help. If you are feeling overwhelmed talk to your instructor, fellow students or a family member. They can offer support and help you step back and focus on what’s important. Reassessing the situation can help reduce stress and create a healthier work/life balance.
Staying motivated does not need to be difficult. Using these simple tips will help you keep your studies on track and enjoy your online degree.
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CURRENT TESTING LANDSCAPE FOR THE ACT/SAT
Next SAT test date: August 29th. Registration is currently open - deadline is July 31st, 2020.
The College Board has created a new September 2020 test date. There will now be a SAT on September 26th. College Board is adding a School Day administration on September 23. Schools that administer the SAT Suite of Assessments can order the September 23 SAT School Day administration. Schools can administer School Day on both September 23 and October 14.
College Board will also add a test date in January 2021 if there is demand for it.
The ACT has announced the addition of three new national test dates to its fall 2020 national testing schedule. Registration for all of these dates opens at the end of July. A total of eight test dates will be available for students for fall 2020 national testing.
The ACT is delaying section retesting, which is now set to start sometime in 2021.
ACT/SAT TESTING RECOMMENDATIONS
SAT: Current juniors (class of 2021) who want to take the SAT should plan to register for the August 29th test. This is especially important for any students who have not yet taken an official SAT. Students should also consider the September and October test dates.
ACT: Current juniors (class of 2021) already prepping for the June ACT should consider registering for the July ACT. There may be limited testing sites in July, so students may want to sign up early. The registration deadline is June 19. The September and October ACT tests should also be considered.
Students should prioritize taking an official ACT/SAT over the SAT Subject Tests.
Those students who have not yet taken an official ACT/SAT should take a practice test soon, to establish a baseline score and map out a plan. Contact us for a free in-home ACT/SAT testing kit and a detailed nine-page diagnostic score report.
For students aiming to take the August SAT, it’s okay to take a break right now and plan to move forward with test prep in mid-June or early July.
For students planning to take the June and/or July ACT, it’s best to continue test prep right up until the official test date.
Check out our current Test Prep web page to learn more about our program and view current offers.
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