Online education is growing almost daily, but the challenge of remaining motivated in the process of learning online is a constant struggle for every student out there. Distance learning is a convenient, flexible and available way to learn, but every benefit has its challenges. While its affordability and the chance to study it anywhere with a reliable internet connection are a grand factor towards choosing to learn online, one must make sure to sustain the interest in it. Learning online is a self-directed process and the key to success here lies in the ability to stay motivated.

If you feel like you or your student lack motivation and cannot complete an online course, it is time that you take the necessary steps to increase their motivation. This is why we have created a list of 10 tips you could use to learn online.

10 Motivation Boosters for Learning Online

1. Make Realistic Plans

Generally speaking, there are two reasons why students set an unrealistic schedule:

• The beginning of a new program or a study can often be very exciting
• They may not have the time to finish the project at the recommended pace

What happens here is a student taking on the impossible, simply because they think they can do this or because they do not have enough time to spend on the course. When this happens, no person can get anything done or achieve better results and the final result is often giving up from the project.

More commitments and classes that cannot be reasonably managed can cause you to feel overwhelmed. This is why it is important to stay focused on your course and in order for you to achieve this, a realistic schedule is definitely a must do.

2. Give Yourself Some Time-off

Running on fumes cannot help you while learning online and you will boost your motivation level if you simply allow yourself to take a break. When learning online, your total focus is set on the computer and it is quite normal to feel drained after a while. We do not say that you should quit learning, but you are allowed to have at least five minutes rest or go out to get some air. After all, the biggest advantage of online learning is flexibility.

3. Take Care of Your Health

Learning online means focusing solely on your course and this demands not only breaks, but proper nutrition and enough sleep too. This does not only apply to this type of learning, but in order to relax your brain and think better, you need to eat healthy meals and rest well regularly.

4. Be Productive

Feeling productive can raise the level of motivation for you. What you can do to be more productive is get rid of those habits students have of doing things in one way instead of taking risks. Explore a little to find the best technique that you can use to achieve something. This does not only include methods of working, but the best time and place of working too. Every person has a certain time in the day and spot in the home where they are most productive. Try to find yours and use this to your advantage.

5. Find the Best Learning Style

Online learning has basically the same principle for every course, but learning styles most certainly vary. Try out different kinds of learning style to find the one that fits you most. You may learn better with visual tools or with text. You may learn better with practice or with theory. It all depends on you. Of course, this cannot be fully controlled by you since it depends of the course material at your disposal, but you can always modify it to your preferred style of learning.

6. Identify Your Goals

As every player on the field has to learn, you also have to learn to keep your eye on the ball. Of course, your ball here is the things that you are learning, but the point is the same. It is not unusual for a person to feel too tired or frustrated and unwilling to continue with the started course but you must always remember why you decided to do so in the first place. Is this course going to help you acquire a new skill or improve your resume? Can this course help you get a better job or improve yourself in the one you are currently doing? Or maybe it was for personal development, something you always wanted to learn? No matter what the answer is, this is something you must always have in mind when you feel unwilling to sit down and continue with your course.

7. Find People with Similar Interests

The good thing about the internet is, there are many communities of people with similar interests you can join. While learning online can separate you from your friends and family and make you feel isolated, you can always turn to a group of people or a blog to feel less lonely. This is a good way to share thoughts and learn while having some fun with like-minded people.

8. Ask for Help when Needed

It is not unusual for a student to find a particular online course difficult, especially because there is a lack of face-to-face communication with a teacher that could explain things to you. If you are in need of help to finish an assignment, do not hesitate to ask for help.

9. Use Online Tools for Help

There are online tools that can help you stay focused and stop avoiding your task. The temptation to do other stuff than learning and simply procrastinate can only do you harm. Look for the best tools that can help you block sites you should not use and limit your time spent on social networks (have a look at Chrome’s plug-in StayFocusd). You can even try FocusBooster, a tool that can help you focus on one task at a time. And of course, ask AssignmentMasters for guidance when you encounter a bump in the way.

10. Get Dressed for Learning at Home

The truth is, you do not need to get dressed when learning at home and this is considered a benefit, but choosing to dress up and get ready for a class can really boost your motivation. If you are in your pajamas all day, the chances are you will go to bed real soon. Being dressed can really help you get going.

Follow these 10 simple tips for boosting your motivation level if you are an online learner. Do you know any other way of online learning that has proven to be successful for you? Share your thoughts with us!

Author Bio: Mary Kleim is an author of hundreds of articles dedicated to self-development. She is working on development an online  digital marketing courses. In the future she is going to launch her own blog dedicated to e-learning.