Digital Study Spaces and Routines

Digital Study Spaces and Routines

Schedule Daily Study Time

• Select a time of day when you are at your mental peak. Everyone’s internal clock is different; select a time that works best for you (before school, after school, evening).

• Add a recurring event on your digital calendar. Turn on your calendar notifications to alert and remind you. It can be especially helpful to turn on the notification on your phone.

• Break learning time into 20- or 30-minute chunks to maintain stamina and productive focus. Take 2- to 5-minute screen-time, stretch, and brain breaks between each chunk of learning. To monitor your time, use the digital timer on your phone or a website like Classroomscreen (Tips).

Designate a Study Place

• Select a space where you can best concentrate and focus.

• Choose a space with good lighting, preferably natural light, to avoid eye strain.

• Set up the furniture and equipment to avoid muscle strain, fatigue, and injury.

• Organize your space with the learning materials and digital tools you need for studying.

• Post a sign, or alert your family, when you are studying in this space, so they know not to interrupt you.

Eliminate Distractions

• Distractions will cost you time, and multitasking is proven to be highly inefficient. Create a distraction-free environment so that you can be focused and productive.

• Wear noise-cancelling headphones to reduce hearing family and home noise.

• Control digital distractions and multitasking

• Avoid listening to music, or at least songs with lyrics. Listening to music causes your brain to multitask. 

Develop Good Study Habits

• Review your planner or calendar for upcoming deadlines.

• Set and/or review your learning goals and action steps (see SMART Goal Template)

• Create and maintain a task list for your study sessions by using a tool like Google Keep or Microsoft To Do.

• Prioritize your assignments and start with the three most important tasks to complete.

Develop Good Study Habits (continued)

• Avoid procrastination by starting with your most challenging assignment first to ensure that you have stamina to complete it. Alternatively, you can start with easy tasks first to get things rolling, and then shift to the more challenging assignment. Your choice depends upon your style; try both and see which style works best for you.

• Read your assignment directions carefully. Review and organize class notes and materials.

• Seek help as needed. You can use the “Three Before Teacher” strategy (3 B4 T) for seeking help independently and from classmates before reaching out to your teacher for assistance.

Recharge for the Next Day

• Along with studying, use the following suggestions to help you be prepared for the next day’s class.

• Recharge your school device so that it’s fully charged.

• Recharge yourself.Exercise to reduce anxiety and stress.Fuel your body and mind by eating well and drinking plenty of water.Get plenty of rest to avoid sleep deprivation, which negatively impacts your brain function.

Open Ended

How are your virtual school study habits at this time?

Open Ended

What new strategy did you learn from this presentation?

Open Ended

What new strategy do you want to implement first?