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Studying from home

Making online learning work for you

Many students feel that going to a university campus or the library helps them to concentrate and to get more work done. This does not need to be the case – these tips are designed to help you manage your time and make the most of your studies, from the comfort of your own home.

Tips for online learning

Managing your time so that you keep up with the content is essential when working or studying at home.

  • Make a timetable to work from while at home.
  • Schedule time to prepare for classes and for assessments, and also to take breaks 
  • Schedule some time for (non-physical) social interactions  
  • Read up on stress management

Our mobile phones can sometimes be the biggest distractions. 

  • Turn off as many push notifications as possible 
  • Turn it on silent or on to flight mode 
  • If you still feel the need to check you phone, put it into another room or turn it off

Get yourself a checklist book or even make one yourself. You can find great notebooks at Kmart, BigW, or Officeworks or create an online checklist with Office365 To Do, Todoist, Habitica, and many more. 

  1. Last thing you do before you go to bed each night, right down very simple, achievable goals you want to get done tomorrow. This is a psychology trick because our future selves are always the versions we wish to be. 
  2. Avoid goals such as ‘study lecture notes’, instead use ‘finish lecture slides 22-25'. Defining a clear goal will define a clear end . 
  3. Don’t be too ambitious. It’s easy to get carried away and list everything that needs to be done. Aim for five to 10 concise things and if you complete them all you can add bonus credit for that super productive rush feeling
  • Make sure you have an up-to-date anti-virus software installed 
  • Be aware of phishing emails and scams. Never click on suspicious links 
  • Read up on how to avoid cyber threats

Here are the daily things you will need to keep on top off to ace studying at home

  • Checking your SOLSmail and UOWmail every day 
  • Understanding what is required of you and expectations from your teachers
  • Keep an eye on due dates and any changes to assessment tasks . Keep on top of things by using the Assignment Calculator
  • Remember you can discuss any issues with your teachers - contact them via their preferred method e.g. email, Webex or Zoom
  • Academic consultations are available via video conference or by appointment
  • Take regular breaks from studying and your computer screen. Find more about how to manage your digital wellbeing 

Setup workspace and technology

Organise your home study area

It is important to have a clean, designated study area which is conducive to work. Try to leave your bed for sleeping and choose an area where you are comfortable and which will be good for your posture.

Keep your desk clean from distracting clutter and try not to have anything in view that will make you stressed while you are trying to study.

If possible, try to sit somewhere with a window open or an outside view – natural light is best

Set up a good internet connection

Work on organising a reliable internet connection to have at home. This will be important in order to access all your learning materials remotely and avoiding stress later in the session.

Technology set-up

UOW provides a range of IT support services for students. There is a range of knowledge management articles that students can access any time.   

Students can also contact our IT department with any specific questions.

Familiarise yourself with online platforms

Keep an eye on your Moodle site to find out how your subject coordinator will be delivering material.

If there are online classes or assessments, make sure to login and know how to access them before the scheduled time.

This way it will reduce stress of trying to work it out on the day.

Build your own study network

Form a study network

It can be hard studying alone. Not having other students to bounce ideas off can be difficult, especially if you don’t understand the content.

Try to keep in touch with your peers through online platforms such as Moodle forums, WebEx Teams, or Skype.

If you are in a subject supported by PASS, these sessions will now be running online and would be great to use to stay up with the content and connect with your peers.

Find what works for you.

Keep in touch with your academics

Just because you aren’t seeing them in class, it doesn’t mean your academics aren’t available to help you.

Use your online Moodle forums to ask questions and clarify content.

If it is a personal issue, email your subject co-ordinator directly. Their email address will be in your subject outline.

Looking after yourself

Being proactive in maintaining your health and wellbeing is essential to your success.

Access wellbeing support