• Home
  • About Me
  • Disclaimer + Privacy Policy
  • Resources I Use
  • Work with Me
  • Categories
    • Beauty
    • Books
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • University
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
a girl with a view

A Girl with a View

5 Ways to Make the Most of Online Learning

November 28, 2020

Guest Post from Not so Modern Girl

Students across universities in the UK are facing online learning in many subjects. Whether you prefer learning over Zoom or not, it’s important that you have a productive and successful University experience, and you know just how to make the most of this new, online teaching experience.

I recently graduated from the University of York, and my final term of University was all taught online as the pandemic started to hit the world. While it was only this final term that was taught online, it was one of the most important terms of my University career and it certainly opened my eyes to just how resilient students, tutors, and University departments can be. 

During my time getting used to this new mode of teaching, I found a few ways to make the most of online learning during that all-important final term, and hopefully, those tips can help the next round of students grappling with their University subjects.

macbook air beside gold study lamp and spiral notebooks with motivational print in background desk aesthetic
Photo by Arnel Hasanovic on Unsplash

Look smart

Even though you’re not going into class at University, looking smart and feeling ready for class is an important step to succeeding in your online classes. For me, if I’ve got my make-up and outfit on (just as I would if I went to University in person) I automatically feel more awake, more productive, and ready to start learning.

Obviously different routines work for different people- and some people love working in their pyjamas! But when you “arrive” at a class feeling smart and ready, I personally think it impacts the quality of work you can achieve.

Do the work beforehand

This is a big one. Of course, not every class can be your best! I’ve definitely been guilty of skimping on the reading before a class if I’ve been out with friends a lot that week, or if I’ve not been very well. 

However, I think sometimes it’s easy to feel that we need to prepare less if we don’t have to go into classes in person. We don’t have that shameful moment where everyone else has done the work, and we don’t feel stressed if the teacher picks on us and we flounder a little. 

But just because you can hide behind your keyboard, it doesn’t mean you should put in less work beforehand, and it’s a central part of making the most of your University experience!

Put your phone away

When classes aren’t in person, I think it’s super easy to lose concentration! During my final term, I often caught myself messaging my boyfriend or checking the news instead of concentrating on my Zoom call or online work. And if the tutor didn’t insist that people put on their cameras, it was the perfect excuse to check Twitter.

So, I think a great way to make the most of your lessons is to put away your phone and get rid of all distractions while you work!

Write up your notes afterwards

Making the most of online learning is all about finding opportunities instead of cursing the fact that you can’t see your teachers or classmates in person (which let’s be honest, isn’t ideal).

If things are online, it means they’re often recorded- which gives you a chance to replay the material in your own time! And after a class, you have more time to write up your notes or clarify certain concepts. Instead of running home or popping to another class, you’re sitting in the comfort of your own home.

Just because teaching is online doesn’t mean you get less contact with your tutors, as you can email or phone them to discuss your work- and it’s always possible to create group chats with your classmates and make the most of this time online.

Limit interruptions!

Interruptions are an annoying part of working online, especially if you’re engaging with other classmates during a Zoom call. So make sure to tell anyone you live with- friends, family, or housemates- that you’re starting an online lesson.

Finding a space you can work well is also important, and however, you work best you need to decide where to set up your computer for online classes. At the moment, it’s harder to make our way to the library or University café to work – so make sure to find a space with plenty of light, good Wifi, and easy access to snacks!

About the Blogger:

Eleanor is a blogger, writer, and avid reader from Sheffield. She has recently graduated from a degree at the University of York, and she’s since spent time working on her blog. She loves writing regular lifestyle posts and reviewing books and films that she’s enjoyed. Be sure to check her out via her social media and blog!
Blog: Not so Modern Girl
Twitter: @notsomoderngirl
Pinterest: @notsomoderngirl
Instagram: @notsomoderngirl_reads
How have you been finding adjusting to online university? Do you have any tips that you use for online learning?


If you want to see more University-related posts you might enjoy what I wish I’d known before starting university and what to expect from your first year at university

in university

Reader Interactions

you may also like
7 Amazing Productivity Boosting Chrome Extensions
8 Self-Care Tips to Help During Exam Season
6 Tips to Stay Organised at University
How to Survive University as a Vegan

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hello!

21 year-old English student and lifestyle blogger. Welcome to A Girl with a View!
read more

Follow Me

Follow A Girl with a View on WordPress.com

Top Hits!

  • Simple Bullet Journal Spread for Beginners
  • woman reading on bed with cup of tea cosy 8 of The Best Books I’ve Read Recently
  • 30 Date Night Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Join our mailing list!

To receive my latest post straight to your inbox!

Featured

the best evening routine for relaxing

The Best Evening Routine for Relaxing

Latest ‘Grams

The Midnight Library by @mattzhaig is my next read The Midnight Library by @mattzhaig is my next read! 

I've been in a major reading slump recently and I've had so many uni books to get through so I haven't read anything fun for ages 😭 

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? 

Also are reviews things you'd like to read on the blog (or insta)?
HAPPY PANCAKE DAY! 🥞 Here is a completely unre HAPPY PANCAKE DAY! 🥞

Here is a completely unrelated photo to pancakes (I'm having some later!) but here are some of the horses I see on my daily walk! 

How are you doing at the moment? Are you having pancakes today?
This is a really old photo but I have nothing rece This is a really old photo but I have nothing recent to post 🙈

How is everyone doing? Truth be told I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed and dishearted with my blog and uni so I'm trying to give myself some time off. 

What have you been doing?
Long time no speak yet again. I'm no good at Insta Long time no speak yet again. I'm no good at Instagram 🙈

I started bullet journaling last month and have been finding it so relaxing. I am not the best at the art side of it though 😅🎨

I posted a blog post today talking about how to create a simple spread - link in bio if you're interested! 

Do you bullet journal?
Finally we have some snow!! I've been a bit MIA Finally we have some snow!! 

I've been a bit MIA in the blogging world due to university assignments and feeling a bit run down. It's the final week of uni deadlines and then I'm chilling for a week!

The snow has really lifted my mood ❄🌨

Do you have any snow where you are?
Hello again and Happy New Year! Apologies for the Hello again and Happy New Year! Apologies for the brain dump that is about to happen in the caption but it's been a while 🙈

I've not been very active in the Instagram or blogging community recently as I've had so much uni work to do that I just haven't had the time to keep on top of it all! 🙈

I'm hoping in the next few weeks I'll get my blogging mojo back and have more time but for now if you don't see me around I'll hopefully be back soon enough 🥰

How are people feeling after the announcement yesterday? If I'm honest I'm feeling a bit deflated about it and university students are always forgotten. Every. Single. Time!! 

I'm hoping that during this lockdown (and once these deadlines have passed) I'll have more time for my blog and to start creating new content as I'm excited for my blog in 2021! 😇

In other news, I'm sticking to one of my new year goals and trying to go running and I'm actually enjoying it?! How are your new years goals going, if you set any?

Let's chat in the comments! ⭐
2020 © Your Blog Name
made by soulmuse