Schools aren’t something in the past anymore, as schools are being reopened in stages all over the world, however, it looks like remote learning for online lectures is here to stay. We are so used to SOPs now that there is a need for one before students get logged on for a class or join an online course. So what kind of SOPs should students practise before sitting in for an online lecture? Firstly, make sure all the technical requirements are set up well before the course. Getting ready as if you are attending a physical lecture helps to centre yourself mentally and physically to start your lesson because working from the bed is never a good idea. There are more tips on this later on as today we are sharing some effective hacks to make sure you are on track for the long run, and perhaps may never need to Google hacks to beat procrastination in the first place.
Get a routine
Routine is synonymous with structure and that can never be wrong. At the beginning of each semester, it is vital for each student to have a firm understanding of the rubrics of the syllabus, clarity about the duration of the course and the tasks to be performed as well as precise awareness of the due dates and deadlines set for each segment of the class. You just need to remember that ‘your own schedule’ needs to meet the demands of course milestones. Chart out your academic planner by weekly-and monthly- basis that includes all tests, assignments, projects, dissertations, etc., and then work backwards as far as planning how you’ll get that work done on time and maybe even before the deadline.
Avoid Distractions
Social media is the biggest obstacle of it all when it comes to distractions. Logging online is a commitment in itself as it requires motivation to sustain concentration. There are myriads of plugins like this Google Chrome plugin called Facebook Newsfeed Eradicator which removes the newsfeed from Facebook and prevents people from spending hours scrolling through. There is also another plugin called Stayfocusd which limits the time one can spend on specific websites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Besides that, disable all notification alerts pop-ups on your devices and dedicate a time interval to check your notifications to avoid getting anxious about being totally unreachable too.
Pick your Peers
Remote learning is isolating as the biggest highlight of university or college life is the “campus” environment. Participate in social activities that go on your virtual campus and be proactive in connecting with your fellow coursemates too. There are online communities of students that are open to the participation of students with common grounds like major, course choice and etc. This will come in handy when you need extra resources for projects and this makes learning interactive and engaging too.
Reach out to lecturers
Don’t wait till the last minute to scramble to reach out to your lecturers for help. Familiarize yourself with lecturers at the beginning of each semester by requesting a reading list and possible tests that would enable you to know any shortcomings. Also, connect with them by email if you have trouble with a particular subject of yours from the lecture.
Online resources are abundant.
Explore beyond your course material—you are not limited to it. Echoing from our previous point, engaging in online student communities is a great place to start. Someone else may be better at explaining challenging concepts, which your professor may not. Skim through your syllabus and figure out the keywords and expressions that fit with it. Combine your list of ideas with the sources above and you can probably work your way towards what your instructor is trying to convey. Check podcasts, Youtube videos, free online courses, documentaries, and etc. to get a better grasp of whatever that is you're struggling to grasp. Knowledge is omnipresent, so keep your senses peeled.
Beating procrastination is a challenge but not impossible. Developing the skill to work on tasks that are less fun than others, is an important skill to hone. Try these hacks and let us know how you beat procrastination too on our social platforms!
