Canterbury College - Preparing for a Productive Day

Preparing for a Productive Day - Home Learning Edition

Learning from home may seem easier – you can access your classes from the comfort of your own home, and you can save loads of time and money but not travelling into College. However, staying productive and ensuring that you are getting the most out of your learning is not always the easiest thing to master. Here are our top tips to ensure that you are setting yourself up for a day of success!

Keep to your morning routine

Everyone has a set number of things they like to do in the morning before they leave the house, and this usually involves setting an alarm and getting out of bed with enough time to spare. It’s important to stick to these timings as it will help you keep to healthy sleep pattern.

Whilst it may be tempting to set your alarm five minutes before you need to be in a class, it will not help you to learn if you log on feeling unalert and tired. Studies show we are at our most awake an hour after waking up, so try and wake up at least an hour before you begin to work.

Use Extra Time Wisely

Learning from home could mean that you are freeing up a lot of time that would usually be spent travelling into and around College. If this is the case, why not consider using that extra time to form a healthy habit?

If you do not usually eat breakfast, why not aim to do so in the extra time that you have found?

You could even use this time to catch up on your favourite podcast or listen to music that will motivate you for the day.

If you like to exercise, you could use the time to go for a run or take part in an online exercise class.

Art & Design student Tommy Regan created this graphic on his reflection of Online Learning

Getting Ready and Preparing your Workspace

Get ready for a day of learning as you would if you were physically attending College. This means washing and getting dressed into clothes that aren’t the ones you were sleeping in! This will give you a separation between relaxation and learning time.

You may be using your bedroom as your study area, and if you are it is recommended that you spend some time ensuring that your workspace is tidy. This will immediately make you feel more productive and ready to learn.

Set Realistic Goals

Think about what you want to achieve during the day. Write down a list of goals that you want to have completed by the end of the day. It is recommended that you keep the list specific and short – that way you won’t feel too overwhelmed and will feel accomplished when it is time to log off for the day.

Prepare for Tomorrow

If you’re not a morning person, make it easier to motivate yourself by preparing for the day the night before.

Plan out what will make you feel good in the morning, whether it’s making breakfast, exercising or having a bath, ensure you know what time you need to wake up to ensure that you are making the most of your morning routine.

Think about what you would like to achieve for the next day and write out your to-do list the night before. Even plan out what you are going to wear or prepare your workspace, so it is ready for you the next day.

Look After Your Wellbeing

Learning from home during a pandemic can be exhausting. Even though you are not physically moving as much, it can be a time of concern or even confusion for you as you get used to staying at home.

Ensure that you are eating regular meals, staying in touch with friends and spending time doing things that you enjoy. Limit the time you are scrolling through social media, and do not spend too much time worrying about things you have no control over.

If you are worried about how you are learning at home, reach out to your tutor or mentor in the first instance, so you can get the support you need for a successful education experience.

Your Students’ Union is still active and ready to support you with your learning experience, and they are a great resource to use if you have any wellbeing or learning concerns.