At first, when we were told about the online learning program, I was worried. I didn’t want to spend all of my study time on a computer. I know that I’m more likely to retain knowledge if I can apply it in the real world. So I thought to myself, “How would an online class possibly provide those kinds of assignments?” I pictured a virtual classroom full of glassy-eyed students reading articles on a webpage and filling in standardized electronic tests.

I could not have been more wrong!

Much of the work assigned in the classes I’ve taken has been hands-on. Students are actively encouraged to leave their computers behind and explore the world around them for applicable solutions to problems. You can expect to do a lot of research on your own time. How involved you are in creating an interactive, hands-on experience is almost entirely up to you, but you’ll be encouraged to think outside the box and take charge of your own assignments.

What I have noticed in the period I have been doing the online learning program, is that you’re investing your time, energy and resources into it. That means you care and want to see certain results like building skills – you want that to be a good investment. So what I have found has helped me keep focus during classes is:

1. Find Your Prime Time

How you structure your day is crucial. Turns out, there are hours during the day when we are most and least productive. Imagine the difference it can make to move your online classes to that prime time! The characteristics of this most productive period of the day are that your energy levels are at their highest. It’s much easier to find focus and keep it at that time, you retain information better, and you are more motivated to engage in the lesson. So, find your peak time and structure your day around it.

2. Identify And Remove Distractions

Distractions are everywhere. Even if you’re alone in your room with your laptop, there can still be plenty of factors negatively impacting your focus. A noisy environment, someone coming in the room, a wandering mind, notifications from your phone, etc. Clearly identify these, and then solve for each one of them.

3. Tame Your Mind

A great way to ease your mind and let go of anything else happening around you in the moment, or later in the day, is to take a few deep breaths, do one thing at a time, remember why you wanted to take this course, and how it can prove to be a good investment of your parents’ money. Now, some people suggest that you do need to let your mind wander every now and then as it’s what unleashes your creativity and helps you focus better when it’s time to learn things. That is true. But, right before you get to work, you need to leave behind the distractions around you and inside your head, and simply concentrate on this one task in front of you. You then become present and your mind is alert. Whenever we do something consciously and pay all our attention to it, we do a great job.

4. Rest Well

Meditation, taking a power nap, as well as mental breaks, work and help high performers reach their goals. And chances are, if you’re a motivated student who’s got a lot on their plate (like me!), you don’t have that much time set aside for rest during the day. However, you need to do so if you want to improve your focus and memory.

Start by fixing your sleeping schedule. Going to bed and waking up earlier are sure ways to give your body and mind the rest they need but also kick-start them both as soon as the day begins. If you add a short meditation session during the day, you’ll be able to have a clear mind until the evening. Such a trained brain concentrates more easily and for longer periods of time.