Distance learning is the best option for people who have very busy schedules. The flexibility of distance learning molds it into a very useful program, for those who have responsibilities of their family and work. The self-study feature commonly demands more attention from students.
Distance learning, except for all these benefits, also has some boring aspects. It becomes dreadful with time, at first it looks attractive because you don’t have to get up early in the morning, but it inevitably gets boring and unexciting.
Here, I will discuss some strategies for staying motivated in a distance learning environment.
Distance learning Definition
“Educational method which provided to the students and teachers without their physical presence”
How to Stay Motivated in Distance Learning
Here are some ways to stay motivated in distance learning.
Setting Realistic Goals:
Creating goals is a basic part of being a student. Realistic, big, and daring goals are considerable. First of all, you have to set small and accomplishable goals at first. This thing will help you stay motivated to keep going when u reach some short-term goal. Before setting a goal you have to keep in mind your strengths and you can ask for help when needed.
Visualize Outcome:
Visualizing the outcome is an important factor for staying motivated in distance learning. Keep in mind that the outcome of learning will increase the entertainment level of distance learning for educators. We must understand the possibilities of future outcomes by ensuring professional development for their future goals in distance learning.
When distance learning bores you, visualize the goals you want to achieve in the future. This will satisfie you and help you keep going. When you are fighting your demotivating feelings, visualize the practical outcome, and then you will want to carry on.
Read Also: Professional Learning For Educators
Set a Timetable:
Keeping your future goal achievable requires a well-managed timetable. Creating a sensible timetable helps you manage everything more effectively. A sensible timetable consists of everything you have going through each day, including your distance learning courses, work and family-related things, and social time.
Prioritizing your work by classifying everything from very “obligatory” to “not obligatory” is very useful; it’s important for keeping yourself motivated in your learning and helps you move on.
Reward Yourself:
Achieving your aim or finishing your project feels appreciable but performing something good for yourself can generate more excitement. As Eisenberg advises:
“Celebrate the little achievement”
That’s why it is very important to reward yourself after achieving something. Rewarding yourself is helpful for motivation in a distance learning environment. It is very important to recognize the self-value which is necessary for your professional and personal development.
Stay Positive:
Sometimes distance learning causes stress for educators, which is seriously demotivating for them. It can cause burnout for students. While it is difficult to turn a negative attitude into a positive point of view, it will help you carry on when you want to delay an assignment and don’t feel like logging in to attend a lecture.
Therefore you have to try to stay positive and motivated throughout your online course experience, you will find all the things much easier than before. Staying positive helps you keep going on your distance learning.
Create a Dedicated Study Area:
It’s essential to create a dedicated study area that has a desk, computer, printer, a brighter light source, and other essential things that are crucial for study. Give a fixed time to understand your learning in a dedicated way. Create your realm according to your needs. A well-mannered study area keeps you motivated in distance learning.
Aim for Balance :
Balancing your work, social life and school can be hard at times but it’s necessary to stay away from any area that overwhelms you. But now the self-study feature of distance learning makes it very easy for educators to handle their work and social life in a better way.
Sometimes students engage themselves in their studies in such a way that they neglect their personal life. For this purpose, taking infrequent breaks will help you return to your studies in a more refreshed and ready-to-focus way.
Balance Your Diet, Exercise, and Sleep Schedule:
Making excuses for not sleeping on time, not going to the gym, and not balancing your life will cause burnout for educators. With poor habits you can feel demotivated, for staying focused and motivated, you have to discipline your body by keeping it active and healthy. Well well-balanced diet keeps your body healthy.
Exercise will help your mind by keeping it active. Good sleep will overcome your stress level by making you refreshed for the upcoming day. All these things will eventually help you to stay motivated and active in your distance learning by increasing the efficiency of working.
Utilizing the Available Resources:
A very important element for staying motivated and avoiding burnout is utilizing the available resources and support system. You can seek help from your instructors for their feedback and guidelines. Engage yourself with other students for discussion on different topics and projects. A supportive academic community will help you increase your motivation and make you eligible to solve problems related to your studies.
You can also provide learning services to your fellows by conducting workshops and seminars with the help of academic support services. All these things motivate you to keep going on your active learning.
Final Thoughts
Staying motivated and avoiding stress in a distance learning environment demands setting realistic goals, developing personal development, rewarding yourself, utilizing available resources, balancing your aim, investing in self-care by having enough sleep, doing exercise balancing your diet, and applying self-care practices. Following these above-mentioned strategies and accepting all the challenges without being afraid can assure you a successful learning experience and a brighter future.
