According to statistics, the retention rates of students engaged in a remote study course are lower than in classroom learning. Some students may give up on their studies at all and either drop out or just pretend that they are studying for the sake of receiving their diploma or certificate. They miss classes, cram to earn some points, and manage to finish their degree, but it can’t be called education, can it?
It’s okay to address coursework writing services from time to time; everyone needs help. But you must also be able to learn from that experience.
If you’re reading this article, you’d probably like to know why your motivation is absent. It is also likely that if you are curious about the reasons, you’d like to get some solutions. Well, we have some recommendations for you, but first, let’s clarify why you are not willing to make an effort when studying remotely.
Real-Life Interaction Is Indispensable
Humans are social creatures. We interpret the speaker’s intentions relying not only on their words but also gestures, facial expressions, and so on. One may not even talk but look confused, which makes the teacher ask them whether they got the explanation or if everything is okay.
Online, it’s barely possible to notice such details, especially when there is an entire class of students. During online learning, the picture of another person is very limited. The tone of voice gets distorted if the connection is not perfect. Some just don’t turn their cameras on. Even if they do, it may be hard to either get a clear view of their faces or read their body language.
Brainstorming is also complicated due to possible sound delays or because several people have their microphones turned on. After several attempts, one often gives up on conveying their ideas, which makes the discussion less efficient and helpful for all the participants. The inability to read the room is a common demotivator for students. So, they need to take their time to adjust and come up with more efficient ways of communication.
Less Pressure & Control
Yes, it can be a problem for some people, and COVID-19 proved it. Sure, some could plan their day to the last minute or easily wake up whenever necessary, open their laptops, and listen to lectures or work while still lying sleepy in their beds. Those are quite persevering and self-disciplined people, which is even more crucial in remote education than in a traditional classroom.
But there were also those who couldn’t connect to an online workshop in time even though they didn’t have to go anywhere and started cheating whenever they could. For this group, if there are no regular kicks up the rear or strict rules, they just don’t feel like there is something urgent or really necessary. So, why rush?
Bad Curriculum & Staff
Well, this is one of the few reasons you might not be able to influence. Not all institutions and companies treat the composing of curricula seriously. Also, not every teacher is a good one. So, quitting the course might be the only way out unless you have some leverage to change the professor or the curriculum.
Stereotypes
Online education is still perceived among many people as a less meaningful proof of one’s skills. If you adopt a similar belief at some point (for instance, when you feel hopeless), your motivation will definitely spiral. Finally, why should you spend more time doing something others (presumably) don’t value?
However, as said above, distance learning requires more perseverance and self-discipline than traditional learning since there is less control, leading to isolation. The latter is what may strengthen your false belief that online education is less valuable. And perseverance should always be on the lookout and remind you that whether your skills are valuable will be defined not by the abstract opinion of others but by the effort you apply to make these skills work.
Do you feel like there is no sense in continuing to study remotely? Ask your classmates whether they feel the same or ask your mentors and teachers for advice. It’s not like you’re the first one facing this issue. It is also important to have a goal in mind from the very start to remind yourself why exactly you chose this road in the first place.
You Always Study Where You Live
Here is why it may be a problem:
- You don’t need to go out, hence no effort to groom, change your clothes, etc.
- You never had to follow a schedule at home, so you didn’t create one when starting the distance education
- You have noisy or toxic neighbors or roommates/relatives you live with.
All the points above have one thing in common: they disrupt one’s concentration. When it comes to personal relationships from the last point, it can be an especially strong demotivator.
Studying exactly where you live concerns both the room and the house. One must change the scenery from time to time not to go crazy. That is why you will feel some changes even if you separate your study area from the rest of the areas.
Also, remember that if you start to spend much more time inside due to online learning, you should take care of spending quality time going out. Your life shouldn’t be limited only to your apartment. Otherwise, the lack of happy moments and exploration of this world will make your motivation disappear into thin air.
Little to No Competitive Spirit
Some students find pleasure in studying hard only when they have someone to compete with or see the real standards to look up to. So, when the curriculum doesn’t presuppose some quizzes or public announcement of grades (which is a rare case in distance learning), such students have nothing to compare their results with. If those are more or less satisfactory, one might not be willing to improve them unless they find out that most students have better grades or know more.
However, when having online group discussions, such individuals may notice that they have shallow knowledge in comparison to others and become more motivated. So, if you are one of those competition-driven students, try not to skip lectures, workshops, and other online meetings.
Final Word
You should know one thing for sure: a worthy and specific goal is 50% of your motivation, if not more. Distance education is often about snap courses that might seem not so serious as a Master’s degree, for instance. Yet, even a several-month course may take you to the next level and promote your career significantly. It all depends on the quality of the curriculum and what you’re going to do with the knowledge received.
