Tips for studying at home
As we all adjust to studying and working from home, it is easy to get distracted or lose motivation. Here are a few tips from the School on how to work through those motivational dips.
1. Create a functional Work Space
The best way to get your head into work/study mode is to make sure your environment supports this mind-set.
It may be tempting to stay in bed with your laptop, or maybe sit on the sofa in front of the TV, but if you can create a space specifically to study in, these environments will be more relaxing when you're done.
So bag a space, whether it is a spare room at your parents’ house, or the end of the kitchen table, and claim it as your Study Zone.
2. Stick to a weekday routine
With the absence of social convention and 9am tutorials, it's easier than ever to stay up until the early hours of the morning, then find yourself tired through the day.
Try to set yourself a weekday routine, with a set time to wake up and a time to wind down. Not only will this help you to be more productive in the day, but it'll mean you're not studying into all hours of the night – it's important to find a healthy balance!
3. Plan your meals and snacks
We're based at home every day and the kitchen has never been more accessible. There's nothing to stop us! No rules! When we have a lot on our plate, we tend to find that trips to the kitchen become more frequent (and yes, this results in there being a lot on our plate, in the literal sense).
If you're worried about over-snacking or using food as a distraction, plan out the meals and snacks that you want the night before, and stick to set meal times. Don't be too hard on yourself if you have the odd extra biscuit, this is just a good way to be aware of your habits.
4. Be aware of the pull of social media
The pull of our phones is never stronger than when we're unsupervised. You promise yourself you'll just glance through your pals' Instagram stories, and the next thing you know you've spent 2 hours looking at so many Gossip Girl memes that you can only think in Claire Waldorf's voice.
We've all been there. But try not to be pulled into the digital vortex during set work times, and use scrolling as a treat for when you need a break. That way you won't be too distracted during your study sessions, and your news feed will actually have something fresh on it when you next check it!
5. Make the most of virtual hangouts
We've been taken away from a world of group study sessions and society meetups, and had to make adjustments to our lives that can feel very isolating. You may have heard this a million times over, but we really are all in the same boat.
Do you have a friend that you liked to go to the library with? Chat with them about your work! Miss your group revision sessions? Arrange a Zoom meeting so you can study together.
We may be in difficult times, but there is so much wonderful technology that we can use to help us through, so make sure you use it in a way that's comfortable for you and your friends, and stay connected.