The global pandemic led to the widespread closure of universities, schools, and institutions. Several education providers including coaching centers for government exam preparations, switched to online learning methods to maintain the continuity of learning. When the coronavirus cases started declining, many of them adopted a hybrid model. However, by then, students had adapted to the changes. They were comfortable with new learning techniques, including self-learning via online and audio courses. In fact, studying independently in the comfort of their homes became the new normal.
Research shows that textbook delivery is not fully effective in improving learning. Why? Because students are not actively participating in the process. However, self-learning makes the aspirants proactive and boosts their confidence. EdTech platforms have been a boon for students and altered their lives by empowering them to learn their preferred disciplines at their own pace. Yes, it’s convenient and saves a lot of time, but self-study comes with its own share of hurdles, ranging from time management, the ability to self-access, and clearing of doubts.
To improve your grades or crack government job exams, you can either spend more time studying or just study smart. There are 168 hours in a week, and as a learner, you might feel that this is not enough, but honestly, it depends on how you manage your waking hours. Here, we’ve listed some of the challenges faced by the learners and tricks to overcome them.
FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS
Needless to say that two hours of uninterrupted and focused studying will be much more productive than four hours of distracted studying. Therefore, you must carve out a space at home for yourself. You need to be in an environment with little to no distractions that will enable you to stay focused on the topics. The distractions can also be the constant use of devices like mobile phones, so ensure that you don’t have your phones in the vicinity while you’re studying. Minimize the objects near your desk as they can also distract you.
MANAGE YOUR TIME BETTER
Given the massive syllabus and the fierce competition, you must ace your time management skills. Not only will it help in saving your time but also decrease stress and improve your productivity. The trick is to make a plan & stick to it. This is crucial to managing your time better and more efficiently. By setting realistic goals, you will understand what your workload is.
Consequently, you will be able to plan ahead in a better way. While making a study plan, allow yourselves to take breaks too. Monotony can hamper your focus, while a fresh and well-rested mind can do wonders in a small amount of time. It is also important to have a proper sleep cycle of at least six to eight hours as fatigue slows down your reflexes, affecting your ability to concentrate, and you end up wasting a lot of time.
Auditory learning is one of the ways you can space out your time effectively. You can listen to the podcasts on topics you listed for the day and listen to them while doing any physical activities. It will save your time and enable you to retain more information than when you read from a book. The best part about self-studying is that you can move on with the syllabus as per your methodology and give time to the concepts you’re unclear about.
STUDY DIFFERENT SUBJECTS
Learners often make the mistake of giving time to one subject in a day, especially while studying themselves. However, studying the same subjects in a day/week can feel very repetitive and can bore you. Eventually, you will lose interest in the topic. Focusing on different subjects/chapters in a day will help increase effectiveness and productivity.
TEST YOURSELF
Thanks to easily accessible data and online/audio courses, self-study is an efficient tool that has proven successful in improving learning. However, do not forget to assess yourself and take mock tests. This will give you a reality check on where you stand and enable you to identify your weak points and work on them.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Self-study can inculcate not only discipline but also boost your self-esteem. Accelerated by the advent of technology, the self-learning techniques are a series of trial-and-error where you set your own goals, track your progress and manage your time wisely. All you have to do is stay focused and plan beforehand to stay ahead.
The writer is the COO & Co-Founder at Khabri, one of India’s leading vernacular audio platforms.