How Do I Stay Motivated in Online Classes?

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, you’ve probably joined at least one Zoom call. You’ve also probably felt your attention ebb and flow while on that call-if not disappear altogether.

Distractions are everywhere, making it harder than ever for students to focus during lectures, study time, and exams. It can be even more challenging for online learners, whose attention spans are up against more than their phones. They’re often balancing school, work, and other responsibilities—all tasks that require their full focus.  

With so many distractions at our fingertips, it’s hard to stay focused on the finish line. Luckily, there are many ways to improve your motivation as an online learner!

The struggle to stay focused isn’t unique to students; it’s systemic of decreasing attention spans across society. 

According to Dr. Gloria Marks, a professor at UC-Irvine who researches the impact of digital media, the average attention span has shrunk from about two and half minutes to approximately 40 seconds in the last 20 years.  

Many things might interrupt your focus throughout the day, but chief among them? Screens. Whether it’s our phones or laptops, our email inboxes or social media notifications, our attention is constantly being pulled in every direction.

And for online learners, screens are simultaneously crucial to learning and a gateway to lost focus. 

A study at Kent State University found that students multi-tasked more in online learning environments than in-person classes. After all, when not seated in a classroom, you can listen to a recorded lecture while watching TV and scrolling online. This multi-tasking tendency can negatively impact cognitive capacity and “interfere with student learning.”

Although it can be difficult, it’s not impossible for online college students to stay focused. Asynchronous learning prioritizes flexibility, so you may even find that you can tailor your schedule and environment to your unique needs.

Here are five tips for staying motivated and improving your focus as an online student.

1. Remember Why You Started
2. Set Small, Actionable Goals
3. Establish a Good Study Schedule
4. Reduce Distractions in Your Environment
5. Find Your Ideal Study Spot 

Sometimes, the quickest way to boost your motivation is to remind yourself why you started online college in the first place. A tedious homework assignment can become more engaging when you consider how it benefits or supports your end goal. 

Whether you're passionate about your field of study or trying to embark on a new career path, keep those big picture goals at the front of your mind. 

Even though it’s important to keep your end goal in mind, focusing on that task alone can paralyze you. You’ll have an easier time earning your degree if you can break tasks into actionable steps. Instead of making graduate with a 4.0 GPA your goal, set smaller term goals like finish the semester with all As.

This works for breaking your coursework into smaller, achievable milestones, too. When you have all semester to write a massive paper, turn brainstorm, research, draft, and revise into individual goals. Each item you check off your to-do list gives you a dopamine boost and helps you keep going.

Since you aren't required to attend in-person classes, you get to choose your own study plan as an online learner. However, with flexibility comes the need for self-discipline. Deciding in advance when to focus on school each week is crucial. Otherwise, you may fall into a routine of putting homework off until the last second. 

Your study schedule should take into account your work schedule and other regular commitments. It should also be realistic—something you can do every week. Nothing is worse for your motivation than setting yourself up to fail. If you work full-time, you probably don’t have three hours to study every weeknight; but if your Sundays are usually free, you can devote that day to school.

As previously discussed, distractions are constant for online learners, particularly digital kinds. How do you limit interruptions and cognitive fatigue when your computer is your classroom? Changing your mindset starts there. If you imagine your computer as a physical study space, you can identify the biggest distractions in your environment and address them. Are you always flitting between tabs and forgetting what you’re working on? Try downloading a browser extension that keeps you from visiting certain sites while studying. 

Additionally, just because you’re an online student doesn’t mean you can only use your computer. If you can't concentrate on assigned readings, try printing them out and annotating them as you read. Even taking notes by hand can give you a break from your screen and improve your retention.

Let's step beyond your digital environment. What about the actual space in which you’re studying? If you’re constantly dealing with interruptions and can’t focus, you’ll dread every study session. That’s why a distraction-free learning environment is key to staying motivated.

Remember that not everyone’s ideal study spot is the same. For some, a quiet, clutter-free office space that’s dedicated to your schoolwork is perfect. Others might find the quiet unnerving and prefer the ambient noise of a coffee shop. Once you find what works best for you, continue returning to that spot to do your schoolwork, especially if you’re having trouble getting started.

Feeling overwhelmed by all the changes you need to make? Don’t rush yourself. Many motivation hacks are habits, meaning they’re built over time. 

Additionally, study tips like these are best introduced one at a time. If you try to completely overhaul your routine overnight, you may find it difficult to stick to so many changes at once.

Instead, start simple. Think about what your biggest motivation roadblock is. 

Do you struggle finding time to study in your busy life and always procrastinate until the last second? Then start by creating a realistic study routine. Put specific blocks of time on your calendar and do your best to stick to them!

Is mindless scrolling your hobby of choice, even when you have a big assignment due? If so, explore different methods for reducing your screentime and other digital distractions, like using “lockdown” browser extensions and apps, or putting your devices in another room entirely.

It might take some experimenting to find what works best for you. Remember that practice makes perfect. And if you need extra support, college faculty and staff can help you find resources that will help.

At the University of Cincinnati, we pride ourselves on offering individualized support to online learners. UC's dedicated online support staff is there every step of the way, providing you the tools and guidance to stay motivated, from your first class to graduation day.

UC’s online degree programs are designed with busy working adults in mind. We know how many competing priorities are on your plate. We’re here to help you make school one of them. 

Ready to explore your options? Connect with your Enrollment Services Advisor today and carve out your path forward.