Tips for studying at home: how to improve productivity in online classes | Education

Studying at home has been an option for many people who are quarantined to prevent coronavirus. Several schools and courses had to adapt to this period and adopted online classes as a new standard. In addition, several platforms have released free courses for those who want to occupy their spare time during the pandemic. However, distance learning (distance learning) can be a novelty for many people and a great challenge for students, who need to maintain productivity.

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In addition to behavioral habits that help maintain good performance, such as creating a routine, it is possible to use several tools to make studies more efficient. You can, for example, study in groups using videoconferences and block distractions on the Internet. Next, check out seven tips to increase your productivity by studying online at home.

With the quarantine, the number of students studying online increased Photo: Divulgao / Creative CommonsWith the quarantine, the number of students studying online increased Photo: Divulgao / Creative Commons

With the quarantine, the number of students studying online increased Photo: Divulgao / Creative Commons

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See also: home office: see tools for working at home on the coronavirus

Home office: see tools for working at home on the coronavirus

Home office: see tools for working at home on the coronavirus

1. Block other content on the Internet

Block sites that can take the focus off of studies a good way to ensure the student's good performance. Productivity Owl, for example, is an add-on for Google Chrome that helps to eliminate wasted time on the Internet while you do computer activities that require concentration.

Productivity Owl helps stop wasting time on the Internet Photo: Reproduction / Productivity OwlProductivity Owl helps stop wasting time on the Internet Photo: Reproduction / Productivity Owl

Productivity Owl helps stop wasting time on the Internet Photo: Reproduction / Productivity Owl

To use the tool, you must indicate the sites that need to be blocked and the ones that you will access for studies. If you try to open a blocked URL, an owl will alert you to get back to your tasks. In addition, it is possible to set a time to visit the sites that you have decided to block by taking your attention.

2. Create a routine with fixed schedules and weekly planning

Determining a daily routine of studies is a very important point to guarantee a good result and, to help in this organization, you can turn to specific applications and websites. A good option is Aprovado (approvedapp.br), a tool aimed at planning and measuring studies. Also available for Android and iPhone (iOS), it allows you to create your own agenda, organize activities into subjects and content, account for hours of study, monitor performance, maintain an academic record and graphically analyze the result.

Online study monitoring platform approved Photo: Reproduo / dnetcOnline study monitoring platform approved Photo: Reproduo / dnetc

Online study monitoring platform approved Photo: Reproduo / dnetc

3. Create a task list, with appointments, tests and assignments

Organizing a list of all tasks such as exams and day jobs can help a lot when it comes to productivity. Instead of using a planner or pad of paper, you can take advantage of the Any.do application, which is a good option for organizing chores. It is a free task and list manager for Android and iPhone and is compatible with Chrome and Safari. With an intuitive interface, the app is easy to use, allowing you to add new notes by text or voice. When performing each task, the user can cross it out, as he would in a notebook, eliminating it from the list.

Any.do is a task and list manager Photo: Reproduo / Any.doAny.do is a task and list manager Photo: Reproduo / Any.do

Any.do is a task and list manager Photo: Reproduo / Any.do

4. Set aside a place in the house for studies

Choosing a specific place in your home just to dedicate yourself to your studies improves learning and also optimizes time. You will need a peaceful environment with a table or desk, good lighting, comfortable chair and your study material, such as books, notebooks, handouts, notebooks, among others. The space chosen to study can be inside your own room, if your residence does not have an office. It is worth remembering that environments such as living room and kitchen should be avoided, as it is more difficult to concentrate within these rooms.

5. Do group studies

Studying with a group of friends or even teachers is a great option to encourage learning, as the exchange of experiences and information is always enriching. In times of social recluse, a good way to be in touch with others through online platforms or applications like Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Both are free and allow users to chat, via videoconferences, with several people at the same time.

Skype enables group studies Photo: Divulgao / SkypeSkype enables group studies Photo: Divulgao / Skype

Skype enables group studies Photo: Divulgao / Skype

6. Assess progress on quest sites

Using sites aimed at questions about entrance exams or other contests is an excellent help for students in general. Thus, you can evaluate your knowledge and see if, in fact, you have learned the content. An option for those who will provide ENEM 2020 is the Questes Enem website (questoesenem.ebc.br). The tool provides questions from the National High School Examination from 2009 to 2019 for the student to take tests and check the learning progress, as well as their knowledge in each area.

The Questes Enem website provides tests for studies Photo: Reproduo / Carol FernandesThe Questes Enem website provides tests for studies Photo: Reproduo / Carol Fernandes

The Questes Enem website provides tests for studies Photo: Reproduo / Carol Fernandes

7. Establish a fixed time for studies

Set aside a part of your day exclusively to dedicate yourself to your studies. Setting a timetable helps to create the habit of always studying in the same period. It is also interesting to take into consideration what time of day you are most productive, morning or night, for example.

Establish a fundamental study routine to ensure good results Photo: Reproduo / dnetcEstablish a fundamental study routine to ensure good results Photo: Reproduo / dnetc

Establish a fundamental study routine to ensure good results Photo: Reproduo / dnetc

Another tip is to divide the time into study blocks and determine a time for a break. Taking a break and then going back to study again makes the study more effective. You can use this short rest time to get up, drink water or even have a snack.