This school year has been different from any other. Yes, attending classes without going to a physical school has many perks, such as not needing to get up early in the morning or not needing to be on time for the morning flag ceremony. With just a few clicks, you can already join your virtual classes and even transfer from one virtual classroom to another.
However, online school is not always rainbows and butterflies. Do you feel so tired even if you just studied in front of the computer without standing up? Do you want to turn off the computer, sleep, and work on your assignments on another day, even when it’s already due? Yes, it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, tiring and demotivating. But hang in there! There are five ways you can try to build your endurance in studying and regain your motivation.
Take care of your health
Listen to what your body and mind are telling you. Even if you’re sitting in front of the computer and listening to lectures, your mind is still working hard to process information. Even the simple task of writing down notes takes some of your energy.
To take care of your health during school days, use your break time to stand, stretch, rest your eyes, drink water, or grab a healthy snack. As much as possible, allot a time of your day for unwinding. You can use this time to catch up with your loved ones or do hobbies that will help you relax and keep you in a great mood. Disconnect from all distractions before going to bed to get quality sleep that will recharge your energy for the next day. During weekends, you can spend 30 minutes to a few hours of your day on school-related work; then, use the rest of the day to do the things you love with the people you love.
Remove the distractions
Make your study area a distraction-free zone! This is because when you feel lazy, you tend to become more attracted to distractions. And once you’re caught by this trap, it often takes a lot of energy to regain your drive to study.
When setting up your table for study time, make sure that you are surrounded by study essentials. Move away from the TV. If you’re using gadgets, download all the learning essentials, if possible, so you can place them on airplane mode and avoid getting distracted by online notifications. You can also prepare all the learning materials you will need a night before to avoid last-minute stress.
Set up a plan
You may feel tired by just looking at a mountain of tasks. It’s even more exhausting to cram, rush, and pull an all-nighter to meet the deadlines.
To avoid this from happening, list down tasks and their due dates in one notebook or calendar. You can split big tasks into smaller ones so you can concentrate on only one task at a time. Prioritizing will keep you from burning out and will even make you enjoy the process of accomplishing your homework or projects.
Find motivation
Having motivation keeps you inspired and driven. Whenever you feel tired, you can draw strength from things that motivate you. Ask yourself, “Why am I doing this task? What do I want to achieve? Who is this for?” There are plenty of possible answers! It can be your dream job, your future life, or your family. The beauty of motivation is you are not limited to having just one!
Always reach out
Putting too much pressure on yourself, especially when it comes to school matters, can be draining. If you’re confused or find a certain project or topic really difficult, don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Your parents and teachers might have gone through what you’re going through, while your friends might be experiencing the same thing! Never be afraid to ask for help or for a piece of advice on how you can strengthen your endurance and build interest in studying when things get rough. Remember, asking for help does not mean you’re weak. In fact, it is a sign of strength!
