How To Navigate Virtual Learning!

 


Hello and thank you for coming back!

Today, I’m going to sing Cher Lloyd by Cher Lloyd.

Awh sorry, just checked the schedule and that’s next week, you’ll need to tune in then for that one!

Today however, I am giving you my tips on how to navigate this new era of virtual learning. Before we begin, please don’t be too hard on yourself, be patient as your learning environment has been turned on it’s head and you are adapting and will be a more independent well-rounded student with a brand new skillset when we do return to our campuses. Let’s begin;

  1. Stick to prescribed schedule – With lectures being recorded and accessible at any time, it is almost too tempting to create your own timetable. However, I would urge you to do as Dolly told you and tumble out of bed, stumble to the kitchen, pour yourself that cup of ambition and stick to the 9-5. With all this uncertainty, adhering to normal university times will provide a healthy routine and keep you in the necessary frame of mind for productivity. I also find that getting ready as if you were heading out gets you in a positive headspace (don’t show up to zoom lectures like Jess Glynne did to Sexy Fish).
  2. Environment – I find that if I stay in my bed for online lectures, it has occasionally been a race between me and my laptop as to who is going to go to sleep first. Therefore, I would recommend completing coursework or watching lectures from a familiar environment as you might have in university or the library, i.e. a desk and chair. Another overlooked element is to keep a tidy atmosphere as studying is stressful enough and a clean and organised space makes everything go much smoother!
  3. Online Environment – As you will be spending much more time online, it is crucial that your laptop folders and desktop are orderly to reduce stress. I would also highly encourage setting your screensaver to something motivational to act as a little pat on the back or a kick up the bum (whichever you’re needing).
  4. Breaks – With the long hours of screen exposure, it is even more important to take frequent breaks. Staring at your laptop all day in your room, can make anyone (including the G.C) feel claustrophobic. Therefore, I would encourage you to leave your study environment for your breaks by taking walks or other leisure activities which don’t include TV/phones etc. Theresa May recommends running through fields of wheat, give that one a try!
  5. Re-watching lectures – If revising/re-watching lectures or other videos posted to your student portal, there is usually an option to speed up the video (1.5x usually works best for me), this helps you to work smarter rather than harder and saves you that extra bit of time!

 It's also important to remember that it's not just us students that are struggling with this online malarkey...


Affirmation – This too shall pass, and you will be stronger for it.

As always, feel free to pop any of your own suggestions in the comments below. 

Hope this has helped, happy studying!

Matthew x

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