Getting your environment ready

Overview
     

We talked earlier about the importance of making sure you have the right technology tools ready for online learning but that’s not all you need to get ready. You need to think about the physical environment where you will study in order to optimize success. Sometimes students try to do school work on the couch while watching TV, sometimes in bed, sometimes in a coffee shop. While everyone has their own preferences, a good rule of thumb is to set up or find an environment to do work for your online classes that should be free from distractions.

Also, you want to make sure you don’t get distracted by other things on your computer! Having said that the key is to be able to study undistracted and the right way.

Think about your study environment:

• • • Does your study environment allow you to study without being distracted?
    • Do you study the ‘right’ way?
    • What do you need to improve upon?

Your Technical Environment

Not only do you have to think about your physical location, you also need to think about your technical environment when studying…. Meaning… your computer and mobile devices! From Instagram and Twitter to Email and Text Messages - there may indeed be more distractions on your devices.

Use common sense when you are focusing on your coursework. If you are purposefully using Twitter or Discord for a class based on your teacher's instructions, that's fine. However, if you are completing any assignment that requires dedicated focus, it's important to turn off your phone and any pop-up notifications on your computer or tablet that might pull you away from your work. Multi-tasking is fine in some limited instances, but if you want to do well in your college coursework, you need to create the space and time to learn.

Tip for Success: Turn off notifications for social media apps on your mobile devices when you would like to focus on your courses and completing assignments.