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The schedule can be grinding. The constant countdown to the classes. The frenetic note taking. The infinite loop of assignments. The dreaded exams at the end.
Studying an online course can be taxing. While it might all be done from the comfort of your home, online studies can be a real battle against distractions, monotony, and fatigue. Academic research in this area has proven that this is not merely an excuse but a true pain point for students.
What Causes Burnout in Online Studies?
Distractions
Educators have a difficult job on their hands—trying to capture the attention of students in an era when attention spans are getting notoriously short. It’s important to note that students are more susceptible to distractions in online studies. This is primarily due to the absence of direct supervision. Distractions can become harder to ignore when the professor cannot see what you are doing, and mobile phones in particular can be a major impediment.
Social Interaction
Social interaction, or the lack thereof, can also cause burnout in students. It can be difficult for students to connect meaningfully with their peers on Zoom calls and online group sessions. This can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness. The complete absence of face-to-face interaction with instructors and peers can create a disconnection from others.
Excessive Screen Time
While staring at screens may be the favorite pastime of the younger generations, excessive screen time has a proven debilitating effect on our health. Studying online tends to increase screen exposure for students as the bulk of academic work like reading notes, attending classes, doing group discussions, completing assignments, and sometimes even giving exams is on the digital medium. This heightened screen use can also contribute to the eventual burnout.
Dependence on Motivation
Another quirk of the online mode of studying is the heavy reliance on intrinsic motivation to stay disciplined and keep grinding. This is mostly due to the lack of external accountability because of poor social connections with peers and the inability of the instructor to personally supervise every student in an online setting. Delayed feedback from instructors can also derail progress and the urge to do more.
What Strategies Can Be Used To Beat Burnout?
Realistic Time Management
Students enrolled in demanding courses, such as online psych NP programs or advanced business degrees, often experience high levels of stress. Establishing a structured study schedule can be the first step to evade burnout. While students may feel ambitious and motivated in the beginning while making the schedule, exercising caution and being liberal in making schedules can make adherence easier and more sustainable. Using techniques like Pomodoro can be a great way to balance things out. Having sufficient rest slots and achievable targets can make the whole process of studying online less draining.
Avoid Multitasking
While this may sound counterintuitive, multitasking can take a toll in the long run. Constantly juggling multiple tasks and working on them in parallel can hinder creativity and even increase stress. Focus on serial tasking by having a deep focus on the task at hand and aiming to complete a series of tasks in a given time frame can boost productivity to the next level.
Prioritize Health
It’s easy to put personal health in the backseat when you’re buried in assignments. However, following a few basic things can help keep things in check. Sleep for 7-8 hours is a must. Eating healthy and regularly after intervals can help keep energy levels high. A run in the park or a workout at the gym can also boost mood levels and keep the body moving.
Practice Mindfulness
Being mindful is vital to staying on the course. Knowing when to take a step back or seek support can help one rebound quickly. Being vigilant about common signs of fatigue, like exhaustion or headache, can help to stop things from escalating. Incorporating practices such as meditation and deep breathing exercises can alleviate stress levels and help to calm the mind.
Utilize Institutional Resources
Your educational provider most likely provides access to helpful resources to boost mental health. This could be in the form of access to counselors or well-being practitioners or through organizing academic workshops designed to teach students about time management and study skills.
Online studies can be a daunting prospect, especially for people doing it for the first time. However, getting the basics right can help in avoiding burnout. Proper scheduling and time management can help juggle studies better. Avoiding multitasking can boost focus and productivity. Prioritizing health can ensure that you put yourself first. Practicing mindfulness can improve self-awareness and reduce stress. Finally, utilizing institutional resources can help unlock tricks in battling the many challenges of online education.