I’m a second-year tourism student and I’m going to tell you how my distance learning is going. And I’m going to share my tips for better concentration.
My studies
I started my studies in the fall of 2020. So the Covid-19 pandemic has been here all the time of my studies. And as you can guess mainly teaching has been virtual. I think distance learning is the future and we are just learning its opportunities and weaknesses.
Distance learning is great for that, you can study wherever you want. I’m living in Tornio which is 125km off my studying city Rovaniemi. I have been physically in school four times. I’m glad that I don’t need often to travel between those cities. However, it would be nice to meet more fellow students. My student life isn’t parties and learning it’s more like studying and working. But have to say I still enjoy it!
About studying
There are days when everything is going how I planned, and then there are days when a 5-minute task takes your whole day. Distance learning can be hard when around you are so many distractions. So make sure that your studying point is in a peaceful place. And don’t forget to take breaks!
My tips for better concentration on distance learning:
- Clean the desk before starting so you don’t interrupt other things around you.
- Turn notifications off and put your phone somewhere you can’t see it.
- Play some background music to boost your focus. My favorite playlist to deep focus is this Keskittymismusaa on Spotify
There are also good apps that can help you stay out of your phone. I use this Forest app on my phone. On the app, you can grow trees. If you get out of the app before your time goal ends your tree will die. There is also an opportunity to plant a real tree!
Sometimes distance learning just don’t grab
Everybody knows those days when you don’t feel like studying. And distance learning gives better opportunities to do something else than watching the lecture. Here are my reveals what you can possibly do.
- Bake, especially buns because it’s funny when you have hands in the dough and the teacher asks you to answer!
- Do the housework, simply practical
- Ride a bike or ski, this is hard because your phone screen needs to stay open in your pocket to keep the lecture running
Okay, I don’t recommend doing those. My advice is to listen to the lecture later if there is going to be a recording. And I must defend myself because at least I listened to those lectures!
I would like to hear about your best concentration tips!
– Aino