Study at Home Like a Pro. With the threat of COVID-19 disrupting normal life for most people, it only makes sense to study at home. Even if you’re a medical student working the frontline at clinics and hospitals, you’ve got to have the time and space to prepare for exams. Without a safe and comfortable environment to study in, you won’t be able to become the doctor that you one day hoped to be.
To help you with the process, I’m sharing some of the best tips I’ve come across while I was a student. As a freelance writer who spends the majority of my day working from home, I know a thing or two about setting up quiet spaces that encourage productivity. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know to study at home smartly and successfully.
Have a Dedicated Space to Call Your Own
It doesn’t matter how small or large your home is or how many people share space with you. You’re going to need an area to study in that is all your own. It needs to be free from the noise and distractions that impede your ability to learn.
You can cordon off a corner of a room or even turn a walk-in closet into a makeshift office for the time being. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that it’s a spot you feel comfortable spending time in regularly. If you have kids and pets, you’ll want to make sure that they know that the area is off-limits to them while you’re studying.
Invest in the Physical Tools You Need to Thrive
Once you have a spot to study in, you’ll need to set it up for you to work in. That means that you’ll need to have a desk and chair at a minimum in the space. A laptop or desktop computer and printer are also beneficial.
Knowing that you have a secure Wi-Fi connection where you’re studying is also very beneficial. If you spend time online studying or turning in your coursework, you don’t want to be without the internet for even a second. A Wi-Fi booster may be helpful if you’re in a room far away from your home’s modem or router.
Digital Tools to Make Studying Easier
Now that you’ve acquired the physical tools that you need to create the ideal study environment, you’re ready to invest in digital tools next. It’s the software, applications, and programs that you need to thrive. Having access to the tools can make working on your coursework remotely much easier.
Preparing for USMLE Step 1 without the support of educational staff to answer questions can be difficult. It doesn’t need to be impossible, though. Some solutions provide you with the information that you need to pass the exam successfully.
Creating a free account with Lecturio can be very helpful. It gives you access to over 220 short video lectures that are straightforward and easy-to-follow. In between shifts working, you can study at home like a pro by using the platform and its tools.
Browser Extensions Can Help Block Distractions Online
If you’ve found that your distractions are more digital than they are physical, you’ll want to learn all that you can about browser extensions. Google Chrome offers many to choose from that help you to overcome timewasters, such as online shopping sites and social media platforms.
Most are free or low cost. The browser takes seconds to install, and you can remove it with the greatest ease. You can also use a Pomodoro timer, which maximizes productivity by having you work in 25-minute increments without interruption and then take a five-minute break between study sessions. If you prefer not to use an extension on your computer, you can download a timing app onto your phone.
Join a Virtual Study Group
Study groups online exist so that you can review what you’ve learned in a group setting. Thanks to all the teleconferencing platforms and apps that exist today, you’ll have no problem jumping on Facebook Messenger or Zoom for a quick study session. You’ll want to make sure that you take all necessary precautions, however, to protect your group from unwanted visitors.
If you can’t find a group wanting to work with you, recruit a study buddy. You can keep each other accountable. You can have study sessions online or over the phone. More than anything, you’ll provide encouragement and social interaction in a world where social distancing is now becoming the new norm.
Study with Greater Ease and Success By Making Home Feel More Like School
Staying at home full-time may not be an option for you as a frontline worker. It doesn’t mean that you can’t study from the comfort and safety of your residence, though. Thanks to the tips listed above, you’re able to shelter-in-place while pursuing your higher education. You can create the ideal learning environment for yourself to study in by dedicating a spot inside your apartment or house for doing homework.