Studying Online Basics
Online learning brings flexibility and freedom, but it also requires new habits and strategies to stay focused, motivated, and organised. To help you thrive in a digital learning environment, we’ve compiled 9 essential tips: from setting up your study space and managing distractions to staying connected and looking after your wellbeing. Use these practical strategies as your guide to creating a productive and balanced online study routine that sets you up for success.
1. Create a Dedicated Study Space
Set up a quiet, comfortable, and clutter-free space where you can focus without distractions. This helps signal to your brain that it’s time to study and improves your ability to stay focused. Good lighting, a supportive chair, and a tidy desk can make a huge difference.
2. Build a Weekly Study Schedule
Structure your week with designated blocks for watching lectures, attending live tutorials or webinars, completing assessments, and breaks. Use a planner or digital calendar to stay organised and avoid last-minute cramming. Treat your study time like appointments—show up for yourself!
3. Minimise Distractions
Silence unnecessary notifications, close unused browser tabs, and let others know when you’re studying. Tools like website blockers or “Do Not Disturb” modes can help you stay focused during study sessions.
4. Take Regular Breaks
Your brain needs time to recharge. Use techniques like the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes study, 5-minute break) to maintain energy and concentration. Step away from your screen, stretch, or go for a short walk during longer breaks.
5. Stay Engaged with Your Course
Online learning doesn’t mean learning alone. Actively participate in forums, watch all lecture recordings, and take notes as you go. Treat online classes like in-person ones—ask questions, do the readings, and contribute to discussions to deepen your understanding.
6. Ask for Help Early
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, reach out sooner rather than later. Whether it’s academic support, tech issues, or personal challenges, there are people ready to help – from your LSO to your teacher to IT support.
7. Look After Your Wellbeing
Balance is key. Prioritise sleep, eat well, move your body, and give yourself time to unwind. Studying is important, but so is your mental and physical health.
8. Keep Track of Assessments and Deadlines
Create a master list of due dates and break tasks into smaller steps. Consider using a digital planner or task management app to stay on top of assignments and avoid last-minute stress.
9. Make the Most of Your Digital Tools
Familiarise yourself with the online platforms your course uses, like our learning management system (Moodle), eLibrary, and Big Blue Button. Bookmark essential resources and explore productivity apps that help you stay on track.
Staying Safe Online:
Studying online gives you the freedom to learn anytime, anywhere, but it also means being careful about your digital safety. Protecting your personal information, avoiding scams, and maintaining good cybersecurity habits will help you focus on your studies without unnecessary risks.
Here are some tips about staying safe in the digital world.
1. Protect Your Personal Information
Be cautious about sharing personal details online. Avoid posting your full name, address, phone number, or student ID on public forums or social media.
Only share sensitive information on official EIT platforms or trusted websites with secure connections (look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the browser address bar). Be mindful of your surroundings—remove sensitive or personal information from the camera’s view.
2. Beware of Online Scams
Watch out for phishing emails or messages. These might look like official EIT communications but often contain suspicious links or attachments. If in doubt, verify with your LSO.
Never provide your login details or passwords via email or phone. Legitimate organisations will never ask for this information. Avoid fake online tutors or “too good to be true” study aids that ask for payment upfront or personal details.
3. Use Strong and Unique Passwords
Create complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Use a different password for each account, especially your student portal and email. Consider using a password manager to keep track of your passwords safely, such as Bitwarden.
4. Keep Your Devices Secure
Install and regularly update antivirus and anti-malware software.
Always keep your operating system and apps up to date to protect against vulnerabilities. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for logging into Moodle; if you must, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your connection.
5. Be Careful with Downloads and Links
Only download files and software from trusted sources.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links, especially in unsolicited emails or pop-ups. Scan downloaded files with antivirus software before opening them.
6. Secure Your Online Study Sessions
Log out of your accounts when you finish studying, especially on shared or public devices.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible for an extra layer of security. Regularly review your account activity and report any suspicious access immediately.
7. Recognise and Report Cyberbullying
If you experience or witness any form of online harassment, report it to EIT’s student services team.
Keep records of any abusive messages or behaviour as evidence. Remember, your wellbeing is important—seek help if you feel overwhelmed.
8. Backup Your Work Regularly
Save your assessments and notes in multiple places—such as cloud storage (OneDrive) and an external hard drive. This protects you from losing work due to device failure, cyberattacks, or accidental deletion.
9. Stay Informed and Ask for Help
Cybersecurity threats and online scams evolve constantly. Stay up to date with the latest safety advice from EIT or trusted tech sites. Don’t hesitate to reach out us if you have questions or concerns about online safety.
Remember: Staying safe online is a key part of being a successful digital learner. By following these simple steps, you can protect yourself and your information, and keep your focus on what matters most: your studies.
Technology and Tools:
Online study is made easier, and more effective, when you have the right technology at your fingertips. Whether you’re attending online classes, accessing course materials, collaborating with peers, or managing your time, there are a range of digital tools designed to support your learning. This page introduces key platforms, apps, and resources available to help you stay connected, organised, and in control of your study experience—wherever you are.
This is not an exhaustive list – there are dozens of helpful tools out there! We recommend exploring other options, and feel free to let us know if you come across anything that you would like to showcase.
Note-taking Tools
Staying organised with your study notes is key to online learning success. These free tools can help you take, store, and access notes efficiently:
- Microsoft OneNote – A flexible, digital notebook that lets you type, draw, insert files, and organise your notes into sections and pages. Syncs across all your devices.
- Google Keep – A simple note-taking app that’s great for quick reminders, checklists, and syncing notes across your Google account.
- Joplin – A free, open-source note-taking app ideal for students who prefer a minimalist, distraction-free interface. It supports notebooks, tags, and markdown formatting.
Cloud Storage and File Management
Cloud storage helps you back up your work and access files from anywhere. Here are free options commonly available to students:
- Microsoft OneDrive – Most institutions provide free student access to OneDrive via Microsoft 365. It offers secure cloud storage with seamless integration into Word, PowerPoint, and other Office apps.
- Google Drive – Offers 15GB of free cloud storage with your Google account. Great for storing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, and collaborating with others in real time.
Referencing and Citation Tools
Correctly referencing your sources is an essential part of academic writing. These free tools can help you stay organised and save time:
- Zotero – A free and powerful reference manager that helps you collect, organise, cite, and share research materials. Works well with Word, Google Docs, and many browsers.
- Cite This For Me – A quick and easy online citation generator supporting APA, MLA, Harvard, and more. Ideal for when you need fast formatting without installing software.
- MyBib – A 100% free bibliography and citation generator that’s ad-free, easy to use, and allows you to save your references and export to Word or BibTeX.
Grammar and Language Support
Strong written communication is a big part of online learning. These free tools help you check grammar, improve clarity, and polish your writing:
- Grammarly (Free version) – A popular writing assistant that checks spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic clarity. Works in your browser, email, and Google Docs. A premium version exists, but the free version is very effective for everyday writing.
- Google Docs Spelling & Grammar Tools – Built-in tools in Google Docs offer decent grammar and spelling support with real-time suggestions while you write.
- QuillBot (Free version) – A helpful tool for paraphrasing, summarising, and improving sentence structure. The free version includes a paraphraser and grammar checker.
- LanguageTool – A multilingual grammar, style, and spell checker that works in your browser, Word, and Google Docs. Free for basic grammar checks in multiple languages.
- Note: Always check your assessment instructions before using any grammar and language tools. Some assessments do not allow the use of these tools or require you to report any usage, especially in assessments where grammar, language and formatting are part of the assessable marks.
EIT also offers access to academic writing support and a dedicated online course called English for Technical Professionals. Check out the dedicated writing support resources on the eLibrary for more details.