How to Stay Productive Throughout Remote Learning

Remote learning has caused a rocky start to our school year, seeing as we are constantly having to readjust with shifting schedules. Technical issues continue to pervade, and staying focused at home can be extremely challenging. Remote learning hasn’t been easy, but there are several ways you can adjust your routine so that you can stay in your productive groove!

Have a good study space. Find somewhere quiet without distractions where you can efficiently do your schoolwork. As tempting as it is, do not do work on your bed; keep your workspace away from places in which you tend to relax. If possible, sit at a desk or find a table and chair setup such as at the dining room table.

Switch your phone to Do Not Disturb. Google Classroom notifications are a great way to keep up with school assignments and posts. However, it is best to turn off all of your distracting notifications during class time or whenever else you need to focus. Your phone can also be used as a tool to aid in remote learning, as there are many organization and productivity apps you can use to organize your work.

Use the Pomodoro technique. Flora is a great app that uses the Pomodoro technique, a time management method, which was designed to prevent burnout and encourage short bursts of focus. You can do this on your own by setting a timer for twenty-five minutes to work and then taking a five-minute break. Alternatively, you can work for forty-five minutes and take a fifteen-minute break. After a few of these cycles, you can take a longer break to recover.

Block out your day with Google Calendar. Using the week format, fill in due dates and block out recurring daily tasks, homework, study sessions, breaks, review sessions, and reminders. It’s a great way to keep yourself from slacking off in the afternoon and allotting your workload evenly throughout the week.

Take advantage of the breaks between classes. Get up and stretch, walk around your house, do a few jumping jacks, or drink a glass of water. Step away from your study space and give your eyes a rest. You’ll feel much better than sitting in the same spot for five hours straight.

Eat during lunch. Don’t forget to eat―if you aren’t hungry during lunch, keep some snacks around for whenever you are.

Try to sleep regularly. Get those eight hours of sleep whenever you can, especially now that school starts later than usual.

Practice self-care and prioritize mental health. Take care of yourself―make time for the things you enjoy doing, even if it’s only for five minutes. Use this time to step away from the screen. Go for a walk outside, do some journaling, exercise, or draw.

Be forgiving of yourself. It’s a stressful time, and things aren’t normal. Remote learning is still quite new, and we’re still adjusting, which is why it’s important to stay flexible.

Be kind to your teachers. Our teachers are struggling with remote learning just as much as we are, and it’s important to be patient. Turn on your cameras during class so that they know you’re there and listening to them.

Text a friend. Ask them how they’re doing, and keep each other updated! Go to school events, club meetings, and participate in spirit weeks. Don’t isolate yourself, and always reach out to someone if you need to.

Although remote learning may seem like a lot to handle, there is much we can do to make it less stressful for ourselves. It is important that we take time to foster good habits; otherwise, we may find ourselves falling into a downward spiral of disarray. Devote time each day to taking care of yourself and the people around you―it will benefit you greatly in the long term. By staying on top of our work and creating a productive workspace, we can fight the urge to slack off and set ourselves up for a great year in remote learning.