We’ve all been through a lot of change recently, and a lot of university students have successfully made the move from on-campus to online study.

If you’re wondering how you might handle online study, fear not! It’s not as daunting as it sounds. To help you out, we’ve put together some of our favourite online study tips from Flinders University students.

Three quick tips for successful online study

1.     Set the right routine

When you physically have to be somewhere, whether it’s school, or work, or attending campus, your routines are dictated by physical constraints. The need to get out of your PJ’s. The need to get on the bus or train. The need to be in a particular place at a particular time. But when you take on online study, there’s a lot more flexibility, which can lead to headaches. It’s not harder than you’re used to, but it is different, and sticking to some good routines can help make your studies go smoothly. 

What do our students say?

• Write a timetable and stick to it. Georgia
• Getting up for class and keeping my routine as similar as possible to when I would go into campus has helped me manage my time and made me study! Ellie
• Have a timetable, insert lunch and other breaks/stretches/walk in the garden or with dog outside. Daily to do list also works. Luciana

2.     Create the right environment

Think about school or work environments you may have experienced. They’re purpose built, but while the idea of a bedroom study area made entirely out of pillows and mood lighting sounds good (mmmm… so good), it may not be the right sort of space to keep you in the study zone.

Online study can be distracting, so it’s best to set yourself up for success. That doesn’t mean buying a stack of office furniture and a vending machine, but it does mean creating an environment that encourages study, not TikTok viewing.

A desk area, good lighting and a decent chair are great starting points, and treating your area like a work zone can help you stay focussed.  

What do our students say?

• Do not sit on a couch/bed. If you can in any way, sit at a desk/table. Makes it feel more like you're at uni. Beck
• Putting everything I might need right next to me (notebooks, textbooks, water) and leaving my phone in another room so I can't hear notifs. Danielle
• I prepare my study area so I can focus. Laptop, textbook, notes, tea, snacks, pens, etc. I try not to study where I relax. So, will study at my desk or the dining table but avoid the couch. Melissa

3.     Remember your health and wellbeing

If you’re studying online, it’s easy to let time slip away, and to neglect your health and wellbeing. However, it’s important to keep yourself in good shape. Take care of yourself mentally and physically. Eat well. Take regular breaks. And reward yourself for doing a great job.

What do our students say?

• Get dressed properly (PJs don’t count!). Have a good breakfast to get you started. Set up a workspace that you sit down to work at every time. Don't work in bed. Set a timer and work until then. After, take a 10-minute break outside. Set yourself and achievable To Do List for the day/week. Be kind to yourself. Not every day is going to be as productive as you want. Jess
• Sit outside to study for a while! Eat good food too!  Georgina
• Create a reward system for yourself! If there’s a show you enjoy watching or a game you want to play, set up a work/play schedule where you study for a few hours then you get an hour of tv/game time! This can help with time management and motivation to complete study time. Allan

While there are important time management skills that relate to both on-campus and online study, working out a way to keep your online studies on track takes the right routines, the right environment and good mental and physical health.

You can do it.
Get your studies started, and master online learning.

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