Making Remote Learning Actually Work
Switching to remote learning felt overwhelming back in early 2024 when our first cohort went fully online. But here's what we learned after helping over 300 students adjust to digital education.
The difference between struggling and thriving isn't about having perfect tech or endless discipline. It's about building small habits that compound over time.
This guide covers what actually worked for our students—not theoretical advice, but practical strategies tested in real learning environments across Australia.
Your Physical Space Matters More Than You Think
One of our students, Linnea Farthing, spent three weeks wondering why she couldn't focus during lectures. Turns out she was sitting at her kitchen table facing the window. Every distraction outside pulled her attention away.
She switched to facing a plain wall and reported a noticeable improvement within days. Sometimes the simplest changes make the biggest difference.
Your workspace doesn't need to be fancy. But it does need to signal to your brain that this is where learning happens. Here's what works:
- Position your screen at eye level to avoid neck strain during long sessions
- Keep a water bottle within reach—dehydration kills concentration faster than you'd think
- Use a separate device for study if possible, or at least a different browser profile
- Add one plant or personal item that makes the space feel less sterile
- Ensure proper lighting—overhead lights alone create eye strain after a few hours
- Keep your phone in another room during focused work blocks
Quick Setup Wins
- Invest in a basic desk lamp with adjustable brightness
- Use a cushion if your chair lacks proper support
- Keep a notepad nearby for random thoughts that pop up
- Set your phone to grayscale mode to reduce its appeal
- Have headphones ready even if you don't always use them
- Keep your charger plugged in at your desk permanently
Building a Rhythm That Sticks
Morning Anchor Points
Start each study day the same way. Could be making coffee, a five-minute walk, or reviewing yesterday's notes. The specific activity doesn't matter—consistency does. Your brain learns to shift into learning mode when it recognizes the pattern.
Time Blocking Reality
Forget perfect hour-long focus sessions if you're just starting. Most students find 25-minute blocks more realistic. Set a timer, work until it rings, take a genuine break. Three solid blocks beat one distracted hour every time.
Weekly Review Sessions
Pick one day each week to review what you covered. Not cramming—just browsing through notes and mentally organizing concepts. Friday afternoons work well for many students. This single habit prevents that panicked feeling before assessments.
Managing Attention in a Distracted World
Here's something nobody tells you about remote learning: the hardest part isn't understanding the material. It's maintaining focus when everything else is just a click away.
Darcy Umpleby, one of our January 2025 students, described it perfectly: "My laptop became both my classroom and my entertainment center. My brain couldn't tell the difference anymore."
The solution isn't willpower. It's creating friction between you and distractions while removing obstacles from your learning path.
The Two-Minute Rule
If a distraction will take less than two minutes, do it immediately or write it down. Otherwise, it'll occupy mental space during your study session.
Website Blockers
Use browser extensions during study blocks. The three seconds it takes to disable them is usually enough to break the automatic checking habit.
Background Sound Strategy
Some students need silence. Others focus better with ambient noise or instrumental music. Test different options during low-stakes study sessions.
The Restart Protocol
Lost focus and scrolled for 20 minutes? Don't spiral into guilt. Close everything, stand up, take three deep breaths, and restart your timer. Progress over perfection.
Staying Connected When Learning Alone
Remote learning can feel isolating. You miss the casual conversations before class, the quick questions to classmates, the sense of shared struggle. But connection is still possible—it just requires more intention.
Study Partner Check-Ins
Find one other student and schedule brief video calls twice weekly. Not to study together necessarily—just to share what you're working on and any challenges. Knowing someone else is dealing with similar struggles helps more than you'd expect.
Active Discussion Participation
Force yourself to post one thoughtful question or response in online discussions each week. It feels awkward at first, but seeing your name regularly helps you feel part of the community rather than a passive observer.
Virtual Co-Working Sessions
Join or create optional group video calls where everyone works silently on their own tasks. The presence of others working creates accountability without the pressure of formal study groups.
Instructor Office Hours
Actually use them. Even if you don't have pressing questions, showing up helps build rapport and makes asking for help later feel less intimidating. Most instructors appreciate students who engage proactively.