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How To Stay Awake, Alert, & Focused During Online Classes


With one year of online classes and virtual learning under their belts, it's safe to say that many students have developed patterns for navigating the seas of COVID's influence on the educational landscape.


Students have seen and done it all, from signing on and off of Zoom to engaging in breakout rooms and working cooperatively with classmates entirely through digital methods to accomplish projects.


However, I have personally observed students failing in one area: remaining focused throughout online lectures, internalizing the knowledge, and avoiding general fatigue.



Each day, sitting through hours of lectures and debates, just to “log off” of class to sit in front of the computer for even longer (for who knows how many more hours) to finish homework, work on projects, and study, looks like waiting for the struggle bus to arrive.

Even though many high school and college students return to in-person study when it is safe to do so (good! ), these concerns must be addressed.


So, without further ado, here are my top recommendations for staying awake in class, as well as achieving attentiveness and avoiding academic fatigue.




Many students have developed a habit of staying up late (or later than normal) since getting ready for class is as simple as rolling out of bed (or staying in) and turning on the computer. However, going to bed late and waking up late for days, weeks, or even months can harm your ability to get a good night's sleep and, as a result, function in class.


By going to bed earlier, you give your body more time to go through REM sleep, which is necessary for activating your brain and sustaining high levels of cognition, and so helps you be more productive during the day.


Another point I'd like to bring up is the usage of electronics before going to bed. Until we fall asleep, most of us are either on our phones, laptops, or both. This can have a detrimental influence on our sleep quality, which, as you might expect, will impact your capacity to remain awake, absorb information, and be productive in class.


So, if possible, turn off your gadgets at least 30 minutes before bedtime (and set your phone in nighttime mode, so the screen isn't as hard on your eyes in the evening!).

Although this first suggestion may seem obvious, give it a try for a few nights, and I guarantee you'll notice a difference.



When I initially started taking virtual classes last spring, I discovered that I spent most of my time in bed. However, I immediately realized that this was a formula for disaster since I would either be unable to concentrate during lectures or fall asleep in class (woops).


So, if you can, acquire the habit of sitting at a desk or at a table in class the same way you would if you were physically in the room.


I feel that sitting on a chair is one of the easiest methods to help me focus since I am less likely to fall asleep!


Also, I strongly advise you to choose a place to sit that is close to natural light, or any light source for that matter. If the light in your room or the location where you're working isn't very bright, it'll be difficult for you to follow along and/or understand the information on your screen.


If you have little natural light and indoor illumination isn't cutting it, you might want to invest in a lightbox.


Light therapy lamps, often known as cheerful lights, emit 10,000 lumens (almost 20 times more than a 60w light bulb), which you may bask in throughout the day to boost alertness. It can even help you enhance your sleep by resetting your circadian cycle.

When I'm working on projects, my phone is hands down, the number one item that keeps me from being as productive as possible. And I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels this way!


It might be tough to keep attentive during a lecture when your phone is right next to you, as you know or can expect. Try to approach this, in the same manner, you would if you were in a school.


Because most instructors don't like it when students have their phones out in class, take that rule home with you and apply it here right now (even if your camera is turned off!).


When I was in entirely online classes, I discovered that simply having my phone in the room was an issue. If this sounds like you, I recommend keeping it completely out of reach and sight to help you stay focused.



“OK, my phone is out of sight, but I'm still sitting in front of my computer,” you could reason. “How is THAT not going to divert my attention?”


Fortunately, I have a response! It's called Self Control.


Once you've downloaded it (for free! ), you'll be able to add websites to your "block list," and you'll be prompted to pick how long you want to block those websites. Then, once you've pressed the magic button, you won't be able to visit any of the websites on your block list until the timer runs out!


This extension is ideal for both class and study time since it keeps you focused and attentive on the issue at hand, preventing you from becoming sidetracked.



One of the main reasons I've heard from students is that they don't take enough breaks when they need them, which is one of the main reasons they feel burnt out and can't remain awake in class.


This is something that strikes a chord with me as well. I remember feeling like there was so much societal pressure when I was a student to always be studying and "on the grind" that even taking a brief vacation seemed like I was doing something wrong or putting myself behind. This could not be more backward because my failure to take breaks when my brain needed them caused me to fall behind.


So, its advice is to not wait until you're completely exhausted before taking a break.

Instead, attempt to take control of the situation. You'll be in an ideal position to get back to class and be on your A-game if you take the break when you feel like you're just starting to need it (and utilize the break wisely as a time to eat, hydrate extra, and exercise your body).



Last but not least, avoid consuming excessive amounts of caffeine. Caffeine has long been known to increase productivity. There are, however, a number of limitations to this.


Coffee (or caffeine/sugar in general) does not necessarily equate to greater levels of productivity or attention as a non-coffee drinker who has spent hundreds of hours studying alongside enthusiastic coffee-drinkers.


Drinking a lot of coffee can cause you to stay up late and even make you feel anxious. So, while a cup of coffee in the morning won't hurt, I strongly advise against using caffeine as a method of staying focused throughout the day. Instead, focus your attention on the other suggestions listed above!



You're spending your time, energy, and resources if you're taking an online course of any type. You care that you want to see specific results, such as improving your talents or taking your job to the next level, and that you want to make a smart investment. However, if you are continuously preoccupied, you may lose out on valuable information and guidance. As a result, it's essential to make some adjustments to your daily routine to enhance your memory and be more productive and aware while participating in eLearning.



It's critical to plan out your day. It turns out that we are most and least productive at different times of the day. Consider how much of a difference it might make if you moved your online classes to that time slot!


It's a possibility, to be sure. This is the most productive time of the day since your energy levels are at their peak. It's much simpler to discover and maintain attention, you retain more knowledge, and you're more inspired to participate in the class. So, right now, figure out when your peak period is and plan your day around it.



There are several sources of distraction. Even if you're alone in your room with your laptop, there are lots of things that might derail your concentration. A loud atmosphere, someone entering the room, a wandering mind, phone notifications, and so on. Let's clearly identify these and then take action against each of them.



Taking a few deep breaths, doing one item at a time, remembering why you want to take this course and how it may enhance your life, and then getting to work is a fantastic approach to relax your mind and let go of anything else going on around you or later in the day.


Now, evidence shows that allowing your mind to wander from time to time is beneficial to your creativity and helps you focus better when learning new things. But, before you start working, you must clear your mind of all external and internal distractions and focus solely on the task at hand. You become one with the action, are present, and your mind is attentive as a result. We do a fantastic job whenever we perform anything intentionally and focus on it with all of our concentration.


Our uptime depends on our downtime. According to studies, meditation, sleeping, and taking more mental breaks work and help top achievers achieve their goals. And, if you're a focused student with a lot on your plate, you probably don't have much time set out for rest during the day. However, if you want to increase your attention and memory, you must do so.


Begin by adjusting your sleep pattern. Going to bed and rising up early are effective methods to provide your body and mind with the rest they require and jumpstart them as soon as the day begins. You can have a clean mind till the evening if you include a brief meditation practice during the day. A brain that has been taught to focus is able to do it more effortlessly and for longer periods.



We have a limited attention span, and there is a lot going on around us. Finding concentration is difficult with social media, information overload, and all the random thoughts in our heads. That is why you must establish certain boundaries.


Decide only to use the Internet, watch amusing videos, and/or check email once or twice a day, for example. Ideally, once you've finished your studies. Then, using the appropriate app, disable social media. Your phone is a significant source of distraction. Once we unlock it, it diverts our attention, and we wind up spending a lot more time than just seeing who texted us.



Aside from the fact that we can learn online and at our speed, one of the numerous benefits of the digital era is that we can use various technologies to simplify our lives.

For example, utilize an app to manage your time, a tool for recording your thoughts, meditating, tracking and checking off your daily duties, arranging meetings, creating reminders, and so on. That means you won't have to remember anything, giving you peace of mind and more time to concentrate on your academics.



If the concentration isn't there, eLearning can be difficult, but it can also be enjoyable and make you feel successful if done correctly. You can retain your focus and be a brilliant student without devoting all of your spare time to it if you use the simple but effective strategies shown above.


None of these solutions is ideal, but they do provide a solution to the many time zones. Everyone, including me, has found distance learning a difficult shift, but keep in mind that you're doing it for the right reasons. Try out a few of these tips and see how well they work for you.


HANG IN THERE, EVERYONE IN A DIFFERENT TIME ZONE OUT THERE! You're doing a fantastic job!


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