Online Learning has its challenges. Luckily for you, Jordan Regnis has a top-five list of things NOT to do when studying from home.

Feeling anxious, unmotivated, and can’t help but scroll through the endless social media on your phone. Chances are you’re not alone. Studying at home can be hard, but there are a few things in particular which we need to avoid.

Here are my top five things not to do when studying at home:

Procrastinate

The word we all know so well. In tackling this I recommend the use of a diary or calendar to write down a clear, step-by-step study process that prioritizes tasks by importance and is specific to what work is required. Spend a few minutes each evening completing this planning process so you are ready to go the very next day.

Also, by making deals with yourself you can strive to maintain motivation levels. This could include anything, like saying to yourself, “if I complete this essay by 5:00 pm tomorrow I can have a Zoom watch party with my friends.”

If you are struggling with completing an assignment, tackle it from a different angle, talk to your friends or ask your lecturers how you could approach this.

Be Lazy

Don’t fall into the trap of becoming lazy. Make time for important activities which help you to stay healthy and increase energy levels.

At home, you can find exercise regimes online through YouTube videos and various websites that run you through a step-by-step guide on this process. From crunches and push-ups in front of the TV to squats jamming out to Green Day. To maximise the benefits, 2 hours is the ideal amount of time one should be active each day. This can be broken up throughout the day around your study schedule, using a diary or calendar.

I recommend taking walks. If you enjoy taking photographs you can incorporate this into your routine.

Overeat

It’s normal to “stress eat” when feeling under pressure. But, you can balance meals with healthy snacks. You can do this by researching recipes that feature your favourite treats with a healthy twist and see what awaits you.

This could be anything from gluten-free brownies to vegan ice cream. Or check out the awesome UON resource #NoMoneyNoTime which has loads of healthy eating inspiration.

Remember to include fruit and vegetables along the way, which can always make good snack foods.

DO NOT go grocery shopping when you are hungry. Shopping when you are hungry means you will likely be drawn to junk food immediately, though, the occasional bar of chocolate is also okay. And remember, drink water and stay hydrated.

Photo by Polina Kovaleva from Pexels

Overdo It

Studying from home can make us feel as though we need to constantly be doing something. But, catching up with friends, tuning into your favourite TV program or reading are great ways to break the study cycle and stay on track.

Treating yourself to a timeout also gives you something to look forward to through the day. During the winter months, fireplaces are great spots to play board games and other activities.

Setting time away from your mobile phone is also a great way to heighten your other senses. Make it your weekly goal to continually decrease your screen time by checking in with the app on your phone.

Stay Up Late

Staying up too late means you will wake up tired, and this is no way to start the day. Taking a step away from your phone, laptop, or electronic device an hour before you go to bed, can be a handy way to bring on sleep more readily.

Taking a shower or having a soak in the tub before going to bed can also help you to relax, ready for a good night sleep. If you have an early class, it is best to turn in by 9:30 pm – 10:00 pm at the latest.

The above hints and tricks are ones that I personally use and may not suit every reader. Ensure you read widely to find those that work best for you.

Feature image by Vlada Karpovich via Pexels, cropped.