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Overcoming Common Challenges Students Face in Remote Learning

Thanks to advancements in communication technology, many schools around the world are taking advantage of online learning as a way to help students receive the quality education they deserve. From regular classroom sessions to skills workshops, remote learning has closed the gap in education for many people, especially in times when in-classroom or face-to-face sessions are not advised or simply unavailable.

As beneficial as distance learning has been for students, it does come with its share of challenges. Fortunately, there are many workarounds that students may take to help them overcome these challenges and ensure they are able to make the most out of their online classes. With that in mind, here are some of the most common challenges students face in the virtual classroom and what you can do to overcome them:

Challenge #1: At-home Distractions

There are a ton of potential distractions at home. Even the device you’re using (PC, laptop, smartphone, etc.) may distract you from your online sessions. One of the best ways to avoid this is to set up a “learning only” zone at home. It can be as simple as clearing a table at home and only keeping your study materials and your laptop in the area.

On a laptop or PC, try to have Zoom, Google Meet, or whichever communication app your class uses as the only window open. For Android 10 users, you may want to switch on “Focus Mode”, which prevents you from opening apps that may distract you during online sessions.

Challenge #2: Feelings of Isolation

It’s unavoidable to feel a little lonely when learning online exclusively. After all, we humans are social creatures. Similarly, some students learn best through classroom interactions. If you’re feeling a bit isolated, just remember that your virtual classroom isn’t just for lectures. Use your preferred chat platform and get on a video call with your classmates. These online group study sessions are a great way to help you feel connected with others.

Alternatively, you may bring this up with your professor and ask if there are any activities you can do that promote group discussions or projects. Some ideas to suggest may include group powerpoint presentations or writing a paragraph or two on a document and passing it around until a story is completed.

Challenge #3: Lack of Motivation

Some students are able to motivate themselves to pursue their studies on a regular basis. Others need a little external motivation to help them get the job done. Don’t hesitate to set up a reward system for yourself to help motivate you to learn the subject matter. Maybe treat yourself to some ice cream after attending a 2-hour lecture. On the other hand, you might allow yourself an hour of gaming in the middle of the day for every two hours of self-study.