What are some study hacks that can get you the most out of your online classes?
Online classes can be boring as there is little interaction. Since online classes usually have many participants, the teacher may not be able to give attention to all; especially since most students tend to keep their videos off. This leads to easy distraction and a lack of ability to focus for many students. Here are a few study hacks to keep the focus during online classes.
Study hacks for Online Classes During the classes
Create Mind maps
Mind maps are great tools to keep you engaged. You can start with the central topic being discussed at the center of a blank sheet.
Now imagine that there are many roots extending from this center to various directions.
These will be the subtopics and the roots will have sub roots will be the major points in the subtopics.
The best way mind maps work is with pictures, try to convert what you are learning into a picture.
A picture is worth a thousand words and trying to create a picture that will encapsulate the concept and subtopic will ensure you will remember it longer.
A picture is worth a thousand words and trying to create a picture that will encapsulate the concept and subtopic will ensure you will remember it longer.
For a detailed understanding of how Mind Maps can help you check out Tony Buzan’s book on Mind maps.
Converting into question and answers
When the teacher is teaching, ask “what question does this answer and write the question down. The include the major points as bullet points below the question. Once that is done and the new topic is started write down the new question and jot down key points as bullet points under them.
This is a great way to study as our minds are designed to naturally seek answers to the questions. Once you categorize the subject matter under questions it becomes super easy for our minds to retain the information longer and keeps our focus sharp.
Create acronyms and short forms for better memory and engagement
Create short easy to remember acronyms and silly short forms for the concepts and for the points discussed under each subtopic. This is a fun activity and can get you engaged when you find that you are losing interest.
The above 3 hacks can get you focused and keep you in receptive mode even in the most boring classes. Try using one of these techniques and then slowly incorporate all in your study process during online classes.
What about after the online classes?
While the above study hacks can help you be more engaged during your online classes.
What you do after your classes will also matter a lot when it comes to retaining the things you have learned and being able to answer correctly during exams.
We forget most of what we learn within a matter of 24 hours, so we need to have some techniques to retain what we have learned during the online classes effectively for a longer time.
Here are some things to help you retain and learn better after the online classes are over.
After online classes – Create an online study group
You can create an online study group 2 to 3 times a week and study together. This will be fun as well as fruitful if the intention of the group is not forgotten.
You can use zoom or google meet to create such groups and have select friends attend the meeting.
This can get you more insights as you will learn from others as well. The issue can be if the meeting becomes pure fun and play and study does not happen.
To avoid that set a fixed time for studying where you discuss as a group the key topics, questions that are being answered as well as set goals for the day.
Once the goals for learning for the day are completed then some time can be used for fun and other discussions.
Teach someone or make a video on the topic
This is based on the methods suggested by Richard Feyman who was a renowned professor. He suggests that you can boost our learning by following the four steps:
- Choose the topic you want to learn
- Once you gain an understanding pretend to explain it to a child
- Once you start explaining you will find gaps in your understanding
- Return to your sources clarify and the then explain again
The above technique is powerful and can really help you gain a solid understanding of your subject.
With voice recorder and video tools, it is even easier now to use this technique.
Maybe you could even start a YouTube channel where you explain the major topics that you are learning in your online classes. Your friends will appreciate such videos too if you decide to share them with them.
Use YouTube constructively
DO you know that Youtube is now the go-to source for learning any subject?
You will find tons of short videos explaining specific topics which are great for clarifying doubts etc.
You also have long lectures on various subjects posted by various tutors.
Using YouTube is an excellent way to support your learning as you have more engagement through audio and video inputs which keep us naturally focused.
Also, you can learn at your own time and pace. So, remember to use YouTube not just for entertainment but for learning as well.
Some extra tips on boosting your learning while attending classes online.
During your online classes please remember to do the following
- Frequently close your eyes and keep your palms on them so that you can see only darkness. This will relax your eyes help you avoid eye fatigue.
- Do not listen continuously in high volume. Keep your headphone volume only loud enough for you to hear to burdening your listening faculty.
- Keep side comments and chatting with friends to a minimum’s discussion is fine but it can lead you away from the discussion happening in the class.
- Having some hot water to sip can be good for occasionally refreshing yourself and keeping yourself focused
- It is very tempting to browse online while classes are going on. But this can be such a waste of your learning time. You can always browse later. If you have a quick idea that you want to look up you can but it almost always leads to being distracted for along time. I have not known anyone who could get back from ‘browsing ’ without ending up wasting time.
- So jot down you thoughts and reminder to look up thing but do it after the class is over.
During your other time when you do not have online classes, remember to do the following:
- Update and organize your notes from the classes
- Socialize and talk with your friends
- Exercise or a play a game that take physical activity
- Avoid snacking and set fixed times for your meals
- Ensure you have healthy meals most of the time. Reduce fried and sugary items.
- Get enough sleep so that you do not feel tired during classes
So as learning online becomes the norm, we need to use our own strategies to gain the most out of the learning. The suggestions in this article on study hacks for online learning are based on proven strategies that many students have found effective to boost their learning and hope it will help you as well. Happy learning!