8 Study Tips for Online Students

With all of the freedom, flexibility, and convenience that come with earning your degree online, there’s an equal amount of motivation and self-discipline that are required to be successful. Regardless of your program or where you are in your educational journey, it can be difficult to buckle down and focus. 

Today we’ll share eight tips for studying smarter—not harder. You’ll see how a little preparation and self-reflection on what works for you can help you develop study tactics and a routine to get the grades, degree, and career you want. 

1. Lean on a Study Buddy. Studying doesn’t have to be a solo effort, even for students enrolled in online classes. Your study partner doesn’t need to be a classmate or even attend the same school—or even be human. A study buddy is someone or something that improves your concentration and retention of information. Maybe that’s a friend, a cat on your lap, a great cup of coffee, or a favorite pen that writes smoothly. Whatever it is, share a picture of your study buddy on your social media channel of choice and tag it with #GlobalStudyBuddy for a chance to win a fun prize.
2. Stick to a Schedule. The average online student works full-time, is in their mid-thirties, married with kids. It’s easy to see why finding time to study can be hard! Without a set schedule, it’s easier to push tasks off until the last minute. We recommend creating a weekly schedule for yourself, one that fits into your life, so that’s it’s easier to stick with.
3. Style Your Space. Whether you enjoy background noise or total silence, or like to curl up on the sofa instead of sitting at a desk, everyone has different learning environment preferences. Regardless of what your study space looks, feels, and sounds like, you need to create one that works for you. Creating a designated space for studying can even help inspire you to be more productive, like these ideas from Architectural Digest. It doesn’t matter if it’s fancy or bare bones–just make sure you’re comfortable.
4. Manage Expectations. Studying, writing papers, and completing assignments require focus and concentration in order to retain all the information you’re learning. No matter how much we love spending time with family or friends, they can be a distraction. Set clear expectations with those in your life so they know when you’re not available. Put it on the family calendar, put your phone on silent, or display a “do not disturb” sign on your study space door. Setting these hard lines and expectations will give you the time you need to focus on your studies and reach your goals.
5. Pretend You’re the Teacher. A great way to know whether you’ve truly grasped a subject matter is to pretend to teach the material. Without referring to your textbook, see how well you can talk about the topic you’re studying. It’ll be clear what areas you need to focus more time on.
6. Ask for Help. Learning online doesn’t mean you’re learning alone. CSU Global students can reach out to instructors, classmates, tutors, and other student support services at any time. If you’re struggling, reach out and use the resources available to you as part of your educational investment. You’re enrolled in your program to reach a goal—whatever that is, you’re not going to succeed without asking for help.
7. Take a Break! You’d think this one is obvious, but many students get so wrapped up in their studying they lose track of time. Set an alarm on your phone to remind yourself to get up and stretch your legs, have a healthy snack, and take your eyes off your computer screen. Unplugging your brain for a few minutes will refresh your brain and help your studying be more effective.
8. Stay Hydrated. In an article from the Mayo Clinic, they recommend following guidelines from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: an adequate daily fluid intake should be about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women. That’s a blanket recommendation for “fluids,” but fresh, cool water is always a great choice to keep your body and brain working at its best.

Did we miss anything?

Share your favorite helpful study tips in the comments below, and share this article with friends who might benefit from these tips!