BMet’s Top 10 Tips For Studying At Home
Working from home has become the “new norm” for many of us and just like for others, it can be quite an adjustment for students.
At BMet, we have put a lot of support in place to try to make the transition from studying at college to home easier.
These include bringing studying to life through innovative lessons via Microsoft TEAMS platforms and regular messages to students (via emails, our website and our social media channels).
Our student experience teams are also a popular source of advice and guidance for our students.
To complement these channels, here are BMet’s 10 top tips that will help with the prolonged lock down and studying from home.
- Know we are here for you
When you are working remotely, it can be easy to feel alone and that you’re a million miles from your college friends and teachers. Please feel reassured though, that we are always here to help and are constantly developing methods to make things better for you.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your teacher or our friendly student experience teams, which include experienced counsellors, should you need a bit of support.
- Separate your home and work life
We know that being in the same environment for a long period of time can make it hard to distinguish between relaxing at home and being in study mode. To keep things separate, try to do your work in a different room to your bedroom or the place that you usually relax at home. Sitting at a desk if you have one, can also help you to keep focused on your college tasks. If your bedroom is the only place that you can focus, try to work in a different area of the room to where you relax and sleep.
- Take a break
Whilst it is important to achieve your set college tasks and complete your assignments, breaks are a great way for you to unwind and recharge your batteries! In fact, taking a walk, going for a jog or setting a bit of time to talk to family and friends about other things, will often make you more productive when you return to study. Plus, not only do breaks help split up your day, they can also lift your spirits and help you to feel more creative and energised.
- Think outside the box and challenge yourself
As with most things, doing the same thing repeatedly can at times feel like a chore. So, why not use some of your time to think about how you can do things differently to achieve your college goals. For example, you could try using the e-learning resources available online in your subject area for inspiration, you could ask your family to “role-play” being a teacher and ask you course related questions or perhaps you could play educational games to test your knowledge.
- Look after yourself
Your health and wellbeing are always important. This is particularly true now, during these very different and unknown times. We have people at college to help you but there are also things that you can do for yourself to “keep you well.” For example, try to eat healthily, exercise, stay hydrated and get a good night’s sleep. Try to also do the things that you love and pursue your interests where possible.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Having the confidence to ask for help and knowing that there are always people around who care about you, is important. Whether it be your teacher, our student experience team or a BMet counsellor that you turn to, we are here for you. Talking to your family and friends could be another option. There are also external support organisations and charities too who could help you if it is easier for you. Remember that “a problem shared is a problem halved”, your problems count and there is no shame in asking for support from those who care.
- Try to keep positive
Overcoming challenges and trying to be positive in uncertain and unknown times, can seem “easier said than done.” However, there can be great value and a great sense of achievement in trying to “see the wood for the trees” and looking at positive things that can come during the lockdown. For example, if you haven’t already, why not take this time of being indoors to learn a new skill, to read a good book or to take advantage of the ever-increasing wealth of e-resources.
- Keep in touch with your tutors and teachers
It is very important to keep in touch with the people who regularly teach you. This is important not only because of the need for familiarity and the fact that you may have a good working relationship with them, but also to make sure that you are up-to-date with your work and have all the learning materials you need to produce the best work.
- Keep in touch with friends
It is quite possible that you are missing seeing your friends and peers – whether it be for social, support or educational reasons. Whilst meeting them face-to-face and being near to them may seem like a distant memory, never under estimate the power and value of communication and contact by virtual means, which is a popular and successful means of keeping in touch. Click here to read advice on staying safe online.
- Plan things that you can look forward to
Having activities and goals that you want to achieve at the forefront of your mind, can make trying to adapt to “the new norm” easier. So, why not think about hobbies and activities that you would like to get involved in and could do at the weekends, or even as far afield as next year. Keeping focused on positive things, can often make the “study journey” much easier.