First things first:
- Stick to a structured schedule, even when studying from home.
- Consciously separate work from relaxation.
- Stay connected with others.
I asked my colleagues for their tips on staying motivated while working from home. One person immediately shouted, “Coffee!” — but surely there must be more to it than that? With the new semester approaching, and some universities still partially relying on remote learning, I’ve compiled all our tips and tricks to help you stay productive and motivated while studying at home.
1. Time Management
Studying from home sounds great at first. After all, you can organize your tasks and time largely as you wish and work wherever you like. But precisely because of this freedom, it’s crucial that you actually do so. Especially when studying alone, time management becomes a key factor. For instance, use the time you save by not commuting to campus to prepare for your day in the morning. Unfortunately, this also means not sleeping in every day. A good goal is to wake up at a similar time as you would if you were attending university in person. The time you’d usually spend commuting can now be used to plan your day. What courses or lectures do you have today, and at what times? Which ones are “on-demand”—available anytime—and which are “live”? The first step is to stick to your actual schedule, even if lectures are available as recordings. Attend them during their designated time slots to avoid forgetting about them or letting too many unfinished tasks pile up. Additionally, you can use the morning to enjoy a wholesome breakfast and ease into your day. Air out your apartment, especially your workspace, and set it up for a productive day ahead.
2. The Workspace
Ideally, you would have a dedicated room or at least a fixed space specifically for studying at home. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible for many students. However, you can achieve a similar effect by tidying up all your study materials every evening so they’re out of sight. This creates a clear boundary between work and leisure, helping you truly unwind after your “university day” and avoid constant reminders of your tasks. This routine is essential for switching off in the evening and allows you to seamlessly activate your work mode in the morning when you set up your workspace again. When arranging your workspace, make sure to keep only the materials relevant to your studies on your desk. Remove anything that could distract you, like your phone, and instead prepare snacks and drinks to keep you focused throughout your study session.
3. Don’t Isolate Yourself
Staying connected is especially important when studying from home. Arrange study groups and maintain contact with your fellow students. This can be easily done online using platforms like Zoom or through group chats, but you might also consider meeting in person from time to time. Hold regular discussions and remind each other of important deadlines. Tasks such as project preparation or brainstorming sessions are often much easier with a study group. At the same time, make an effort to talk with your peers about topics beyond university. When working from home, maintaining a healthy work-life balance is even more crucial and shouldn’t be overlooked. Not every conversation needs to revolve around university matters, as this can quickly become demotivating.
4. Set Clear and Manageable Goals
Use to-do lists to keep track of your daily, weekly, and semester goals while organizing your study routine. These lists are especially helpful for staying motivated because you can include even the smallest tasks, such as attending lectures. While you’re attending them anyway, checking them off your list gives you a sense of accomplishment. You can also create your lists as daily schedules, including designated break times. Ideally, base this plan on a learning method that works best for you, and set timers to ensure you actually take your breaks. By structuring your tasks and breaks this way, you’ll stay focused and avoid burnout.
You might also be interested in these articles:
5. Beware of too little Pressure
Studying from home might seem especially appealing because no one is looking over your shoulder, and you have complete control over your schedule. There’s less stress and pressure overall—but that’s not always a good thing. In addition to the negative stress that deadlines often bring, there’s also positive pressure, such as so-called peer pressure. For example, when your fellow students have already completed the tasks from the last seminar, it motivates you to complete them too. Positive pressure mainly comes from active interaction with others and helps you see your own progress more clearly. Group study sessions also foster focus because the presence of others creates a sense of accountability. Similarly, the to-do lists mentioned earlier can provide this positive pressure. By keeping these lists manageable and not overloading them with tasks, you can avoid negative stress while still enjoying the satisfaction of checking things off and staying on track.
And what about the coffee? Of course, you can enjoy coffee while working from home—but it’s not a magic potion. Make sure to maintain a balanced diet and follow the tips outlined here, and you’ll see that with coffee in moderation, staying on track is absolutely achievable.
Sources:
Do you like our magazine? Then sign up for our GRIN newsletter now!