Remote Learning Tips: Succeeding in Online Classes

Whether you're taking a fully online degree, hybrid courses, or just a few remote classes, online learning requires a different skill set than sitting in a lecture hall. These proven strategies will help you stay on track and perform at your best.

Setting Up Your Environment

Create a Dedicated Study Space

Your brain associates environments with activities. If you study in bed, your brain thinks it's time to sleep. Designate a specific spot — a desk, a library carrel, a coffee shop corner — as your "classroom."

Essential Setup:

A reliable internet connection (consider a backup hotspot)

A comfortable chair and proper desk height to avoid strain

Good lighting (natural light is ideal)

Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs

A second monitor if possible (one for the lecture, one for notes)

Minimize Distractions

Use website blockers (Cold Turkey, Freedom) during study sessions

Put your phone in another room or use Do Not Disturb mode

Close all unnecessary browser tabs and applications

Let roommates or family know your class schedule

Time Management for Online Learners

Treat Online Classes Like In-Person Classes

Block out the scheduled class time in your calendar and show up. Don't let the flexibility of online learning become an excuse to skip or multitask.

Create a Weekly Routine

Monday: Review the week's assignments and deadlines

Set specific days and times for watching lectures, reading, and assignments

Friday: Review what you accomplished and plan ahead

Weekend: Catch up on anything that fell behind

The Pomodoro Method Works Especially Well Online

25 minutes of focused work

5-minute break (stand up, stretch, look away from screen)

After 4 cycles, take a longer 15–30 minute break

This prevents the "screen zombie" effect of endless scrolling

Staying Engaged in Virtual Lectures

Active Participation

Turn your camera on — it keeps you accountable and connected

Ask questions in the chat or unmute to speak

Take handwritten notes (research shows better retention than typing)

Summarize each lecture in 3–5 bullet points immediately after

When Lectures Are Recorded

Watch them at scheduled times, not at 2 AM the night before an exam

Use 1.25x or 1.5x speed for review, but never for first viewing

Pause frequently to process and take notes

Don't let recordings pile up — falling behind in recorded lectures is a slippery slope

Communication Is Everything

With Professors

Introduce yourself via email in the first week

Attend virtual office hours regularly — fewer students go, so you get more time

Ask questions early; don't wait until the night before an assignment is due

Use professional email etiquette (subject line, greeting, clear question, signature)

With Classmates

Form virtual study groups using Zoom, Discord, or Google Meet

Exchange contact information during the first week

Use shared documents (Google Docs, Notion) for collaborative note-taking

Check in on each other — isolation is the biggest risk of online learning

Avoiding Common Pitfalls

The Procrastination Trap

Without the physical accountability of showing up to class, procrastination is the number one threat to online students. Combat it by:

Breaking large assignments into daily micro-tasks

Setting artificial deadlines before the real ones

Using accountability partners or study groups

Rewarding yourself after completing work blocks

Screen Fatigue

You may spend 8–12 hours a day on screens between classes, studying, and leisure. Fight screen fatigue by:

Taking regular breaks away from all screens

Printing readings when possible

Exercising daily — even a 20-minute walk makes a difference

Using the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds

Isolation and Mental Health

Online learning can feel lonely. Protect your mental health by:

Scheduling regular social time (video calls, in-person meetups)

Joining online student communities and clubs

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule

Using campus counseling services if you're struggling — most offer virtual sessions

Technical Preparation

**Test your setup** before the first day (camera, microphone, internet speed)

**Learn the LMS** (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle) inside and out

**Back up your work** to cloud storage — never rely on a single device

**Have a backup plan** for internet outages (phone hotspot, campus library, local cafe)

**Update your software** and browser regularly to avoid compatibility issues

Remote Learning Tips: Succeeding in Online Classes