In what has been a difficult time for us all, through the use of modern technologies, we are at least able to maintain some resemblance of normality.
It is, of course, difficult to adjust to working or learning from the home when your routine usually revolves around travelling to a place of work or study. However, there are things you can do to make the most out of the remote experience with some top tips:
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Get changed into your everyday clothing
Rather than staying in your pyjamas all day, it’ll help you get in the right mindset for working and means you are ready to take video calls without having to rush to get dressed!
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Create a new morning routine
The things that you ordinarily would have done before heading out should continue. Have a shower, get dressed, do a quick workout, eat breakfast, check your social media – create a routine that starts your day in a positive fashion and ends with you doing work.
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Keep to regular hours
You should set yourself a realistic schedule and stick to it. Having guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps maintain a healthy work-life balance. It can be very easy to lessen or even increase our working/studying hours when others are not around so try and stay disciplined!
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Create a dedicated and organised working space
Ensure your new found space is quiet, organised and distraction-free! Ask family, friends and colleagues to respect your working hours, so you’re not interrupted or distracted unnecessarily. If you do have to work from your bedroom, try and separate the spaces for working and sleeping to keep a barrier between the two.
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Take regular breaks
It’s inevitable that your productivity will decrease if you are feeling tired or frustrated. When taking a break, make sure you get away from your work space and find yourself a change of scenery, even if this means having a sit down on the sofa with a cup of tea or coffee. Even stopping to open a window and get some fresh air will help you maintain balance, renew energy and allow you to go back to working or learning with a clear head. Don’t short-change yourself during breaks either, especially your lunch break.
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Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it
Our tutors continue to be on hand to help you, so make sure you ask for help if you’re struggling, feel like you’re falling behind, or not feeling motivated. By asking questions, you can also help your tutors evaluate the effectiveness of the training programmes which they have designed for the benefit of both yourself and others.
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Keep connected
In these difficult times that we all find ourselves in, it is important to remember the power of communication. Reach out to your friends, family and colleagues virtually through one of the video conferencing tools available or social media. You could set up a WhatsApp group, or a Facebook closed group to chat with each other and engage in meaningful conversation. This will not only enhance your learning experience but keep you feeling connected to your peers.
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Stay motivated
Don’t underestimate the effort it’ll take to commit to working at home or distance learning during these turbulent times. Maintain a tidy and organised working space, have healthy snacks ready to boost your energy, reward yourself for ticking things off your to-do list, listen to music or stick on a podcast – whatever helps you to keep focused and motivated.
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Stay positive
It’s important to keep positive during hard times, only consume as much information and media as you can handle and keep yourself busy. The world is a scary place right now, but this too will pass.
If you require any help or advice, please contact your tutor in the first instance or get in touch with our main office on (01702) 597499 / [email protected].
