How to Stay Motivated in an Online Course: 10 Tips For Success
It’s no secret that online courses can be tough. Sometimes it feels like you’re the only one struggling to stay motivated and push through the work—but don’t worry, you’re not alone! In this article, we’ll reveal how to stay motivated in an online course with our top 10 tips for success.
Plus, we’ll also answer some commonly asked questions, like “How do I know if I’m doing well?” and “What should I do if I feel overwhelmed?” So, keep reading to help get the ball rolling again!
Before we get started, want to learn more about the self-paced, online courses offered at QC Event School? Here’s our full course catalog!
How To Stay Motivated In an Online Course: 10 Tips For Staying Motivated
1. Be in Control Of Your Time and Schedule
One of the best things about online courses (such as the ones offered at QC Event School) is that you can study at your own pace and on your own time. This means that you can tailor your schedule to fit around your life, rather than the other way around!
So, if you’re finding it hard to stay motivated because you’re struggling to juggle everything, take a step back and reassess your schedule. Try to study at times when you know you’ll be most productive, and give yourself some flexibility to take breaks when you need them.
It might also help to set smaller goals for each day or week, rather than thinking about the entire course at once. That way, you can focus on what’s immediately in front of you and celebrate each accomplishment as you go.
5 Quick Time Management Tips for Online Students
If you’re not the best at managing your time wisely, that’s okay! There are a lot of people in the same boat. The good news is, there are all sorts of simple things you can do to help you hone this skill.
For example, you can:
- Use a planner or planning software to keep track of deadlines and assignments;
- Set aside specific times for studying, and stick to them as much as possible;
- Take breaks regularly (but make sure they’re short so you don’t get too sidetracked);
- Get rid of distractions by turning off your phone or working in a quiet place;
- Start with the easiest tasks first to get yourself into a studying groove.
Remember, it’s all about finding what works for you. As such, don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a system that helps you stay on track. The most important thing is to not get discouraged if you have a few setbacks—we all do!
Just keep trying, and eventually, you’ll find a time management strategy that works for you.
2. Set Realistic Deadlines
Again, one of the biggest perks of an online course is that you can do it at your preferred pace. Meaning, there are typically no deadlines for any of your readings, quizzes, assignments, or unit submissions. QC Event School, for instance, gives you two whole years to complete your course, starting on the day you enroll. However, since there are no deadlines to abide by, you can use as much or as little of that timeframe as you want/need.
If you’re a busy person who can’t commit to a rigid study schedule, online learning will allow you to achieve your education goals around YOUR schedule—and not the other way around!
However…
There’s a pitfall that can easily come with this: because there are no set deadlines, it can be easy to procrastinate and put things off until “later.”
And then when “later” comes around, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed by everything you have to do. Not only that, but you might start to doubt your ability to complete the course successfully.
Before this happens, take a step back and assess your situation. If you find that you’re starting to fall behind, try to set some realistic deadlines for yourself—even if they’re not required by the course.
Creating personal deadlines will help ensure that you stay on track with your studies and don’t get overwhelmed by everything that’s left to do. It’ll also force you to be more disciplined with your time, which is a valuable skill to have in any area of life.
5 Quick Tips For Setting Deadlines
If you’re not sure how to set deadlines for yourself, here are a few quick tips:
- Be realistic in your expectations;
- Start with smaller goals and work your way up;
- Make sure you give yourself enough time to complete each task;
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling;
- And most importantly, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t meet a deadline—we all have off days!
3. Give Yourself Goals (But Keep Them Realistic)
One of the best ways to stay motivated is to set goals for yourself—and not just any goals, but SMART ones.
SMART stands for:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time-bound
In other words, your goals should be clear, attainable, and have a defined timeline. This will help to ensure that you stay on track and don’t get discouraged along the way.
It’s also important to keep your goals realistic. If you try to bite off more than you can chew, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Not to mention, you might start to resent the process (and the course) if you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed and stressed out.
3 Quick Tips For Setting Goals
So, how can you set realistic goals?
- Start by taking a step back and assessing your current situation. What do you realistically have time for?
- Next, break down your goals into small, manageable pieces.
- Finally, make sure you give yourself a timeline for each goal. This will help to ensure that you stay on track and don’t get discouraged along the way.
And remember, it’s okay to adjust your goals as you go. Life happens, and sometimes our best-laid plans fall by the wayside. Just don’t be too hard on yourself if things don’t go according to plan. If you happen to lose focus and fall off track, just dust yourself off and start again.
4. Reward Yourself For A Job Well Done
One of the best ways to stay motivated is to reward yourself for a job well done. This could be anything from taking a break to watching your favorite show on Netflix, or even treating yourself to a new pair of shoes.
Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that you’ll actually enjoy and look forward to. The key here is to make sure that the reward is something that you’ll actually enjoy and look forward to. Otherwise, it’s just going to be another thing on your To Do list.
5 Quick Tips For Rewarding Yourself
Not sure how to reward yourself? Here are a few quick and easy ideas:
- Take a break: watch your favorite show, take a nap, or just relax;
- Treat yourself to something you enjoy: new clothes, a massage, etc.;
- Do something for yourself: take some time for yourself, go for a walk, etc.;
- Make it a social event: meet up with friends, go out to eat, etc.;
- And most importantly, don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments along the way! It’s easy to get so focused on the end goal that we forget to celebrate the milestones along the way. So, take a moment to pat yourself on the back every now and then—you deserve it!
5. Prioritize Your Physical and Mental Health
One of the most important things to remember when trying to stay motivated in an online course is to prioritize your physical and mental health. This means making sure that you’re getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
When your body and/or mind is tired or unwell, it’s going to be that much harder to focus on your studies. So, make sure you’re taking care of yourself first and foremost.
This also means taking breaks when you need them, and not pushing yourself beyond your limits. Remember, your health should always come first!
And if you’re struggling to stay motivated, it might be a sign that you need to take a break. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step away from your work and clear your head. This will help to ensure that you’re refreshed and ready to tackle your goals when you return.
5 Quick Tips For Prioritizing Your Health
Not sure where to start? Here are a few quick and easy tips:
- Get enough sleep: aim for eight hours per night;
- Eat a healthy diet: focus on whole, unprocessed foods;
- Exercise regularly: shoot for 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week;
- Take breaks when you need them: step away from your work and take a few deep breaths;
- Don’t forget to schedule some down time for yourself. This is time that you can use to relax and rejuvenate.
6. Own Your Study Space
If you want to know how to stay motivated in an online course, one of the best answers we can give you lies in creating a study space you can truly call your own. Now, this doesn’t mean that you need your own office or anything like that. But it does mean finding a place where you feel comfortable working and setting up shop there!
Your study space should be somewhere that’s free from distractions; where you feel relaxed and focused. It could be a corner of your bedroom, the kitchen table, or even the local library.
The important thing is that you find a space that works for you and make it your own. Once you have your study space set up, it’ll be that much easier to get down to business and get the work done.
5 Quick Tips For Creating Your Ideal Study Space
Never had to create an ideal study space before? No worries! Here are a few quick and easy tips:
- Find a place that’s free from distractions: this means no television, no social media, etc.;
- Make sure you have everything you need: this includes things like a comfortable chair, a good desk, etc.;
- Create a relaxed and focused atmosphere: you can do this by adding things like candles or plants to your space;
- Set some rules for yourself: for example, no working on weekends, or only working for certain hours each day;
- Don’t be afraid to experiment! It might take some trial and error to find what works best for you.
7. Share What You’re Learning With Family and Friends
One of the best ways to stay motivated in an online course is to share what you’re learning with family and friends. This can help to hold you accountable, as well as give you a chance to connect with others who might be interested in what you’re studying.
Sharing what you’re learning can also be a great way to get feedback and perspective on your work. And, it can be a fun way to engage with the material you’re learning!
So, next time you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated, try reaching out to your loved ones and sharing what you’re working on. It just might give you the boost you need to keep going.
3 Quick Ways You Can Share What You’re Learning
Feel a little awkward at the idea of sharing what your online course has been teaching you? Here are a few ideas for ways you can do it:
- Start a blog—this is a great way to share your thoughts and experiences with others;
- Write articles or create videos—these can be shared on social media or other platforms;
- Give talks or presentations—you can do this for family, friends, or even at local community events.
8. Keep Your Endgame In Mind
When you’re taking an online course, it’s important to keep your endgame in mind. What is it that you hope to achieve by taking this course? What are your long-term goals? For example, if you’re a student of QC Event School, perhaps your endgame is to become a certified wedding and/or event planner and start your very own business.
(PRO TIP: And if so, make sure to check out this amazing guide on starting your own event/wedding planning business from scratch!)
By keeping your endgame in mind, you can help to motivate yourself to keep going, even when the going gets tough. Remember, every step you take is one step closer to achieving your goals!
So, next time you’re feeling lost or discouraged, take a moment to remember why you’re doing this in the first place. When you’re feeling low on motivation, this can be an excellent way to get that little push you need to keep doing!
5 Quick Tips For Keeping Sight Of Your Endgame
Here are a few quick tips for keeping your endgame in mind:
- Write down your goals and refer to them often;
- Create a vision board or collage;
- Talk to friends and family about your goals;
- Make a list of the reasons why you want to achieve your goals;
- Keep a journal and document your journey.
9. Ask Questions If/When Needed
After all, your school’s Student Support Team is there for a reason! QC Event School’s Student Support Team, for example, is available 7 days a week by phone, email, and live chat.
If you’re ever feeling stuck or need help with anything, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Student Support Team for assistance. For instance, they can help walk you through a difficult part of a unit, clear up any confusion you may have regarding an assignment, pass along anything that needs clarification from your tutor, etc.
Our point is, there’s absolutely no reason you need to go through your online course alone. If you’re ever feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to ask questions to those who are capable of assisting you. Remember: they’re there to help you succeed!
5 Quick Tips When Asking For Assistance
Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind when asking for assistance:
- Be as specific as possible about what you need help with;
- Include any relevant information or details that might be helpful, such as screenshots;
- Be polite and respectful;
- Give them time to respond;
- Follow up if you don’t hear back (e.g. after 1-2 business days).
10. Take Your Time Instead of Rushing
Because you’re able to finish your online course at your own pace, you may be tempted to try to rush through it as quickly as possible. However, we would caution against this for a few reasons.
First and foremost, trying to rush through your coursework is likely to result in poorer quality work. This can lead to frustration on your part, as well as the need to go back and redo things (which isn’t very fun, let us tell you from experience!).
Second, by taking your time and savoring the content, you’re more likely to retain the information better. This is especially important if you plan on applying what you’ve learned in your online course to your real life!
And lastly, by taking your time instead of rushing, you can avoid burnout. Remember, online courses are meant to be enjoyed!
So, next time you’re feeling the urge to rush through your work, try to take a step back and remind yourself that it’s okay to go at your own pace. After all, you’ll likely end up doing better quality work and retaining more information in the long run!
3 Quick Tips For Properly Pacing Your Online Course
Here are a few quick tips for properly pacing your online course:
- Start by creating a study schedule and sticking to it as best as you can;
- Take breaks when needed, but be sure not to take too many or too long of breaks;
- And lastly, try not to wait until the last minute to complete assignments or units.
How Do You Stay Motivated Working Online When Feeling Overwhelmed?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to take a step back and assess the situation. From there, you can create a plan of action to help you get back on track.
Here are a few quick tips for staying motivated when feeling overwhelmed:
- Create a list of smaller goals to help you focus;
- Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable tasks;
- Take a break and come back to the task later with fresh eyes;
- And lastly, as we mentioned before, don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed!
How To Motivate Yourself During Online Classes When You Feel Like Giving Up Completely
Now, all of this is fine and good, but what about if you ever hit the point where you’re fed up—and the urge to drop out of your online course feels extremely tempting? First and foremost, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. It’s perfectly natural to feel like giving up at some point during your online course—or any type of learning, for that matter.
(In fact, this blog article by Lexi Kelly of Pucker Mob is a terrific read if you want to hear an account of someone who struggled with this exact scenario!)
The good news is, there are a few things you can do to help motivate yourself when you’re feeling down about your online course. Here are a few of our favorite tips:
- Find an accountability partner: someone who will check in with you regularly and help keep you accountable;
- Set smaller, achievable goals: and celebrate when you reach them;
- Create a study schedule and stick to it: this will help you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed;
- Take breaks when needed: but be careful not to take too many or too long of breaks;
- Invest in quality time for yourself: outside of your online course, make sure to schedule in some time for things you enjoy.
And lastly, remember why you’re taking the course in the first place. What are your goals? What do you hope to achieve? By keeping these things in mind, you should be able to power through the tough times and come out on the other side!
How To Tell When You’re On The Right Track
Finally, let’s discuss another important aspect of online learning, which is figuring out how and when you’re doing well in your course. This can be tricky, as there isn’t always someone there to give you immediate feedback (unlike in a traditional classroom setting).
Here are some signs that can help indicate whether or not you’re on the right track:
- You understand the material and are able to complete assignments with ease and confidence;
- You frequently receive positive feedback from your tutors (e.g. in your unit feedback, on assignments, etc.);
- Your grades are good and/or improving;
- You’re completing units at a reasonable pace (i.e. not too slow or too fast);
- You generally feel happy and engaged with the course.
Of course, there isn’t necessarily one right way to gauge whether or not you’re on the right track—it really depends on the individual and the course. However, if you’re ever feeling unsure or need some extra help, again, don’t hesitate to reach out to your school’s Student Support Team! They’ll be more than happy to provide you with the guidance you’re looking for.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article helpful! Remember, these are just a few tips to get you started—there are plenty of other great resources out there that can help you with online learning. And, as always, if you have any questions or need some extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out to your school’s Student Support Team.
We wish you the best of luck in your online course! 🙂
