Prepare Your Study Environment
When you’re taking an online training program, your minimum requirements are a working computer and a good Internet connection.
But there are other things you need too. You should take some time to create a work environment that’s conducive to concentration. Below, you’ll find our best practices and tips for preparing your workspace. You don’t need to check all the boxes, but try to get as many as you can!
Factor | Best practices | Helpful tips |
The room | Set yourself up an “office” to use during your training time, in a dedicated room if possible. | If you have to work in your living room/kitchen or a shared room, you can set up a sort of pop-up office, for example, by changing your usual seat or the table’s orientation. The goal is to create a clear separation between your training time and your personal life. |
Your posture | Sit up straight, with both feet on the floor. You can rest your back against the chair. | If possible, adjust the height of your chair or desk to ensure you’re comfortably seated. |
Your sight line | The screen should be at eye level, you shouldn’t have to bend your head. | If your monitor is too low, you can raise it up using props (for example, a book). |
The lighting | Have plenty of natural light. | If the room has a window, set yourself up so that you’ll benefit from the natural light, but won’t be blinded. |
The soundscape | Find a quiet or silent environment. | If you like to listen to music as you work, stick to music without words. Classical music can be a great choice! |
Your tools | Always have paper and pens at the ready for taking notes. | Keep a notebook—it’ll help you organize your thoughts and outline important concepts. |
You can also opt for a change of scenery by going to a nearby library, a quiet and comfortable cafe, or a coworking space.
So what is the ideal learning environment? In this video, Joy, Mike, Alexandra and Virginia tell us their thoughts on the matter.
Set Up Your Training Schedule
Your training program will be part of your daily routine for the next six to eight months, or even two years. That means you’ll have to develop new habits quickly. Humans generally take three to four weeks to form new habits, so it’s crucial to start from week one!
So, when exactly will you be doing all this learning? What will your work hours be? It’s time to plan your schedule by outlining a typical week of training.
Why do I need a set schedule? Why not simply do as much work as possible every day?
According to Illich’s law, human efficiency decreases after a certain period of continuous work. That’s why it’s so important to set time limits! Especially when we’re learning—our brains need periods of rest to digest new information. Therefore, when creating your weekly schedule, you need to include not only your training time, but break times as well.
Here are some tips and examples of typical working hours, depending on whether you’re a full-time or part-time student. You can refer to this table as a guide when you set your own schedule.
Training pace | Tips | Examples of typical schedules |
Full time | Schedule fixed windows of time for every day of the week, Monday through Friday. | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 2 p.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Friday |
Part time | Choose whatever schedule works best for you and allows you to devote 14 hours to your training per week i.e., by setting fixed times every day or working full-time hours on the weekend. | 8 p.m.–10 p.m. daily OR 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 2 p.m.–6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday |
Regardless of your personal situation, don’t underestimate the importance of taking breaks and getting enough sleep. You’ll need both to learn effectively! Here are some tips to help you:
Plan regular breaks, away from your computer and/or phone, so you can really unplug.
Try taking “active” breaks where you move around. Take a walk or do some stretches. This wakes your body up and calms your mind.
Don’t let your training eat into your much-needed sleep. Set a “curfew” and stick to it, no matter how tempted you may be to just put one more hour in at the end of the day. You’ll be more efficient the next day, you’ll see!
Develop Your Focus With the Pomodoro Method
The Pomodoro method is a time management technique that helps you concentrate and focus your energy on one task at a time. The method is named after a tomato-shaped timer called a pomodoro that’s used to alternate 25-minute intervals of focused work time with 5-minute breaks.
How do I use the Pomodoro method?
The first step is to set a goal for the next hour. What would you like to have done an hour from now? For example, “I want to check over what I need to do for my new project” or “I want to read through part of this course.”
Next, limit all sources of distraction so that you can focus entirely on reaching that goal. For example, you could turn off all notifications, switch your phone to silent, and/or close any tabs on your computer unrelated to your goal.
Now it’s time for action! Grab a timer and follow the method below. You can also use the free online Pomodoro Tracker.
Set the timer for 25 minutes and work all the way to the end without interruption.
Brrrring! End of sprint! Take a 5-minute break—a real break, away from your screen. Don’t forget to set your timer for 5 minutes.
Brrrring! Back to work for another full 25 minutes.
Brrrring! 5-minute break.
And so on. Repeat this four times in a row. On the fourth round, take a 15-minute break if you feel you need it.
The advantage of this method is that it prevents you from burning out, even over the long term. Try it out over the next few weeks. You’ll gain precious time and feel like you’re getting more done faster!
Let’s Recap!
For the best training experience, it’s important to have an environment that’s conducive to learning, including:
A calm study environment in a well-lit room, ideally with a comfortable chair and desk.
A set schedule with portions of time devoted to training—but also scheduled pauses for rest and sleep.
Efficient time management using the Pomodoro method. Concentrate on just one task for a 25-minute stretch, take a short break, and start the cycle over again.
It may not be easy to apply all this advice at once, but that’s normal. Changing your environment and habits takes time. I hope you’ve been able to start making a few changes and now you’re ready to move forward! In the next chapter, we’ll talk about someone who will play an important role throughout your training: your mentor. Let’s go!
