10 ways to stay motivated studying online

Distance learning is a great for adults who want to juggle work and home life with studying a course. It provides flexibility, allowing online students to fit their studies around their other commitments. The pitfall can be staying motivated studying online. As an online learner it can be tempting to procrastinate or prioritise something else. We’ve got 10 great ways you can stay motivated studying online.

It’s important to set yourself goals in line with milestones as you progress – especially on longer courses like an online degree. There are obvious goals such as completing assignments, producing presentations, writing essays. However, you can also consider the less obvious goals. For example, the goal of reading x number of chapters by y date. It’s a helpful way of chunking up the work to manageable portions so it’s less daunting and more motivating. Book ending a portion of work with a small set goal provides you with the motivation you’ll need to push you along through the whole journey.

If you’re juggling work and family commitments alongside studying an online course, you’ll need to put together a schedule to get organised. This can be as simple as blocking out the hours in the day and week where you already have a commitment that is essential. Examples are work, commuting, school drop-offs / pickups, making dinner / eating, and of course sleeping. You’ll then be able to see the hours you have free to dedicate to study.

It’s important to create a schedule that is bespoke to you. That’s your personal needs and how you work best. Personal needs could be socialising, downtime, exercising – whatever is important to you. It also means considering how you study best. Do you work best in the morning before everybody else wakes up? Late at night when the kids have gone to bed. Can you fit reading on a train / bus commute? Only you know your preferences and lifestyle so a schedule should be personal to you to keep motivated studying online.

Like the study schedule, this is personal to your preferences. Most people will need a space that’s quiet and with enough space to comfortably have their laptop and reading materials to hand. If you’re in a house shared with your family or housemates, make it clear that you want space to study. Enforce your boundaries and don’t put up with interruptions. If working at home just doesn’t work, try your local library - you’re often able to book a private study space for a few hours. If there are suitable spaces at work you can book, have a word with your manager. The beauty of online learning is that it can be done almost anywhere. So, if it’s sunny, the park, garden, beach are all options!

Build a motivating support network around you. The network can include:

• Your family – make sure your family understands when you need quiet time and space to study. Set your expectations early on.

• Fellow students on your course – join online forums, discussion boards, WhatsApp chat groups – whatever is your preference.

• Study buddy – this could be someone on the same course as you. They’ll make you accountable to stick to your schedule and motivate you when you feel unmotivated.

• Your manager at work – if you’re studying to upskill for your job then speak to your manager about how work can support you.

Make sure you connect with your professors and tutors. They are your cheerleaders throughout your course and want you to succeed. They understand most online learners are adults with busy lives outside of their studies so if you have a problem that impacts your assignments, discuss it with them. They could come up with a solution you hadn’t thought of.

Online learners can also benefit from the student services that are offered to traditional on-campus students. Here are some examples open to ARU distance learners:

• Canvas – online learning management platform
• Digital library
• Dedicated distance learning support team
• Online discussion boards and forums
• IT support team
• Financial support
• Study skills support
• Counselling and wellbeing service

Everyone has a different approach to studying but taking regular breaks is important to combat fatigue, burnout and maintain concentration. You could try the Pomodoro method. This involves focused short 25-minute bursts of study with no distractions, followed by a short 5-minute break. Repeat three times. Then follow with a longer break, say 15 to 30 minutes.

Stay motivated studying online by rewarding yourself when you’ve achieved key milestones. How you want to reward yourself is up to you. You may choose to give yourself smaller rewards more often; for example, a nice brunch every Sunday to reward yourself for completing that week’s study schedule. Or you may want to give yourself a bigger reward after a significant achievement; for example, celebratory dinner after passing an exam/assignment.

It’s hard to stay motivated if you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Protect your mental wellbeing during your studies. All the above-mentioned ways to stay motivated as a distance learner applies to help you maintain good mental health but here are few more ideas:

• Regular exercise
• Eating a healthy diet
• Fit in interests, hobbies and downtime where you can
• Talk to your family and friends if you’re finding it tough
• Try meditating to calm anxiety

What’s the big WHY? It’s the why you enrolled on the course in the first instance. It could be because you want to change your career. It could be because the kids are older, and you want to return to work. It could be because you want better career prospects and increase your earning potential. Whatever, your reason, when it’s getting tough and you need that extra motivation, think back to your WHY and keep going.

Feel inspired and motivated to return to learning? Discover our online degrees.