The internet has impacted the way people learn. Through online learning, pursuing your studies and earning a degree is now easier than in the past. Full-time employees and parents might be unable to attend colleges which may require relocation. Thanks to online learning, they now have the opportunity to pursue their education in the comfort of their homes and at their own pace.

 While presenting opportunities and convenience, online learning also presents challenges. Many distractions may occur during online classes. These include stepping out to shop instead of attending a lecture, home chores, and interruptions from family and friends. The following are ways to avoid distractions while learning online.

Ways to avoid distractions while learning online

1. Understand your strengths and weaknesses

 What may be a form of distraction for one person might be what motivates another person to focus during online classes. For instance, listening to music on an earpiece or speaker might enable one to focus on the lecture, while it might distract another person. Others require a quiet environment so that they can focus. It is therefore important to study yourself to help you know what makes you focus and what acts as a distraction for you.

2. Schedule break times

 Just like traditional learning, online learning also requires breaks to recharge and unwind. However, your breaks should be planned. You might set 15-minute breaks at 1-hour intervals or whatever works for you. Use your break time to grab a snack sneak into social media for a chat with a friend, etc.

3. Keep off your phones

 Your phone is one of the biggest distractions when it comes to your day-to-day schedule. Your friend might call or drop a text in the middle of your lecture. To avoid this, keep your phone in silent or airplane mode. Better still, keep it away from your study area.

4. Create a conducive study space

 The best way to eliminate distractions during online learning is to create a space conducive to studying. It should resemble or be better than the classroom environment.  If possible, set aside a room with a study chair and table, personal computer, and other study materials.

5. Make rules and follow them strictly

 Set rules that will guide you and ensure you maintain discipline during online classes. These rules must be followed in the letter. Set study time, break time, and other times for other relevant activities. Setting rules will help you get maximum benefits from your online classes.

6. Align family members with your study schedule

 You most likely do your online studies at home where you also live with your family. This presents many distractions like a family member popping in your study room or engaging in conversations. The best way to avoid this is to brief your family members about your study arrangements. Make sure they respect your study time and avoid unnecessary distractions when you are studying.

7. Plan your entire study schedule

 When you enroll in an online course, it is important to schedule your study time from the beginning to the end.  Set study times, time for chores, and other relevant activities. Prior scheduling will help you avoid making commitments that will provide distraction.

Conclusion

 Online learning will have a big impact on the future of learning. It is therefore important to adopt and make full use of online learning. This revolution in education however comes with challenges like distractions. You should therefore learn how to make good use of online learning but also avoid distraction so that you can get the most out of it.