Home Study

More and more people are choosing to study at home instead of face-to-face classrooms. You are not limited to only the inside of your house. You can choose your own environment, whether it be at the library, the mall or even in your garden. To study from home you need to be committed and focused, it comes with a lot of distractions. It is perfect for a person who is disciplined and motivated.

Advantages of Studying from home

Flexibility 

Studying from home is great for most people because you get to choose your own times. Most students want/need to earn an income and therefore studying from home is ideal because you can work and study. You can also do work at your own pace, deciding when you are ready to move onto the next section.

Convenience

Sometimes it can be quite difficult for people to get to classes, studying from home makes it possible by just switching on a computer. You are basically hitting two birds with one stone by combining your study life with your home life. You can attend to your duties at home while on your breaks.

Comfortable 

A classroom can be a daunting place for some people. When people are out of their comfort zone they tend to under perform. Being able to study in your living room or bedroom makes you feel secure. Feeling secure helps to have control over yourself and your environment.

Money saving 

By studying from home, you don’t need to leave your house and drive to classes. This saves you money on travel. You also have full access to your fridge, which saves you from buying those tempting snacks and takeaway meals on campus.

Home study tips

Dedicated Study area

When studying at home it is important to create a study area for yourself. Pick an area you are comfortable in, but where you will be able to focus too. A neat, quiet area with no distractions would be ideal. Ask for privacy during your study times so that there will be no interruptions. 

Draw up study timetable 

Drawing up a study plan will help you to organize your days and set a routine. Decide on what days you will study a certain section of work, and how many hours you will spend on it. Combine it with your social calendar to make sure nothing will clash. Be realistic and don’t try to fit too many things in one day. Aim to complete everything in the time you have given yourself. 

Get enough sleep 

Your brain needs to be awake and alert to really focus and take everything in. It is recommended to get at least 8 hours of a good night rest. While sleeping your brain processes everything you have learnt and prepares you for the next day. You will be more alert and stress free!

Take a break

Give yourself regular breaks between studies. Try not to make your breaks too long. Get up and walk around the house a bit, process what you have just read. Studies show that taking breaks in between can help improve your focus and productivity.

Study at the right time 

Some of us are early birds, while others are night owls. We all have different times of the day where we have the most energy and are most alert. Figure out between what times you experience this. Plan your study timetable around those times.

Best methods to study 

Summarize  

As you study and read through your work, make summaries or notes of what you understand from it. Focus on the main ideas and try to use your own words as much as possible. Include examples or scenarios to help get a better understanding. Another way is to draw mind-maps or make index cards.

Reflect 

At the end of each day think about everything you have learnt during the day, think about what you understood from it. Reflection is a way of improving our understanding. Take into account how much you have actually learnt that day, decide if your process is working for you. If you are struggling to remember, consider using a different technique.

Take practice tests 

At the end of your study period, find past papers and attempt to answer them. You can even ask someone to ask you questions on the work you have learnt. The purpose of this technique is to test your knowledge. Answer all questions and repeat until you have answered every question correctly. 

Feynman Notebook Method 

Grab a blank notebook and write down all the things you struggle with. Try to explain the work to yourself in simpler terms, as if you were explaining it to a 5 year old. It is an easy way to figure out where your problem areas are and where you need to direct your focus.

Elaborative Interrogation 

This technique involves questioning everything – asking yourself “why” and “how” and trying to answer it. It is a strategy used to help improve your memory and to help understand the information in front of you.  Ask yourself questions like “why is this true?”, “what does this do?”, ”why did this happen?” and “how does this work?”.

Getting started

Are you unsure of what you want to study or what you need to get started? There are so many questions to be answered before making your decision. For more advice and information on moving your studies to the online world, have a look at what you need to know to study online.

If you are looking to further your career and be taught by trained professionals, enrol at Bellview Institute  today! Our goal is to help you achieve your goals.We have a variety of short courses and accredited courses to choose from, there is something for everyone. So register today and take the first step into your future.