One of the advantages that professionals appreciate most about the way technology is changing the educational landscape is the wide availability of online courses. Online courses work with your schedule, and you don’t even have to leave your house to attend classes. However, it can be easy to get distracted and lose focus in a more casual setting. These tips can help you stay motivated in online courses.
Get Ready
Tracey McDonagh; Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Demark
Aine Travers; Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark
Jessica Bramham, Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Set Goals
Online programs are often self-guided, and trying to work through the whole syllabus might make you feel like there’s no end in sight. Setting goals helps to make coursework more manageable. You may want to consider setting short-term as well as long-term goals, such as what you’d like to complete by the end of the day versus the end of the week.
Take Breaks
Flooding your brain with too much information for too long can interfere with the learning process and make it seem overwhelming. If you’ve been studying for a while and start to feel like you’re not making progress, step away from the screen and get some fresh air, take a quick walk, or watch an episode of your favorite show. You’ll likely feel more refreshed when you hit the books again.
Reward Yourself
You may find it more motivating to stay involved with your courses if you know there’s something good waiting for you at the end. Treat yourself to small rewards like a dinner out, time with friends, or some much-needed rest once you’ve reached your goals.
CONCEPT Continuing and Professional Studies at Palo Alto University is designed to help professionals in the field of psychology advance their careers through flexible training and education courses, including online webinars and live workshops. Explore our diverse range of continuing education programs today.
