Best way to stay focused with online classes?

You just have to have the discipline to sit at a computer, take notes, and do homework like any normal class. Most of our homes are very distracting places, so I understand it can be difficult, but after a little while you should be able to exercise enough discipline to stay focused on what you’re doing.

I would establish regular times each week when you are “going” to class and stick to those times. Don’t just try to squeeze it in. Also, set up a specific place in your house to work on it, with clear desk space, notepaper, etc. In other words, make it a regular routine.

Buddy up with someone else taking the same class. Exchange emails and perhaps skype together. Setting a schedule and sticking to it is very important. I did half of a technical degree by correspondence (pre internet days.. OMG) and spent one night a week doing the written work, and carried the reading with me and read during school time when I had study hall, etc… You have to be really determined. Once you start making progress, you’ll feel better.

You just have to do it. There are no tricks or anything.

Something I do when I’m afraid of getting distracted is to grab a laptop and head out to Starbuck’s, a library, or just outside in my backyard. In a more unfamiliar location, it’s not as easy to fall back into procrastination or avoiding the class as it is if you’re just sitting at your desk where you go on Facebook, check your email, read blogs, and generally just waste time.

If you feel impatient and can’t focus, go for a short 5-minute run. Or grab out a jump rope and do 200 jumps or something, and then get back to work. Exercise refreshes the mind.

Keep to a schedule. Online classes often have less deadlines and it’s really easy to forget you have a project due the 6th week of class without the teacher reminding you or having weekly homework.

Stay motivated. Personally it was hard for me to put tons of effort into it because I thrive on the classroom atmosphere and I felt so isolated without face-to-face interaction.

There is a tendency for you to be more dependent on your textbook so if this is the case keep up with the reading, as it’s easy to slip behind without a lecturer.

You have to just try your best! And not open anything like facebook ot msn:) hope I helped…

Make a schedule. And you should know what you will do in the morning or in the evening, how many time you will spend on learning? the suggest above is very correct.Don’t spend much time on playing games or chatting.