Tips and Advice for Home Study

The current Coronavirus lockdown means many students of all ages around the world are spending less time physically attending classes and lectures and more time logging in from home to continue their studies online. This will be an unfamiliar situation for many, yet there is a need to make the most of this new way of working.

Many of the programmes offered by the RAD’s Faculty of Education are delivered via distance learning, meaning our students are well versed in the world of remote learning and combining their studies with other work/life commitments. With this in mind, we asked some of our students and staff to share their tips and advice to share with the wider dance community. We hope you find it useful!

1. Find ways to focus

I use the Pomodoro Technique to give my undivided attention to a task for 25 minutes at a time, with a 5 min break. The technique consists of 4 rounds of 25 min and then a longer break of 20 to 30 min. The breaks are super important, and you should never skip them. This stops me procrastinating! There are many apps available to help; I use ‘Focus To-Do’.
Danielle Faldt, Diploma in Dance Studies student

2. Take a flexible approach

For those who have caring responsibilities, try to find periods in the day or evening when you can concentrate uninterrupted on study or work tasks. When my children were young, I found that I could grab an hour or two writing time while they watched their favourite programme, some reading time whilst they splashed about at bath-time and, thankfully, some focused time in the evenings when I wasn’t ‘on call’. It’s never easy, but you may be surprised that there are times in the day/evening when you could extend your multi-tasking skills!
Dr Michelle Groves, Director of the Faculty of Education

3. Be realistic

Make sure your ‘to do’ list for each day is achievable and relatively small.  There is great satisfaction in crossing out three ‘to do’ items on a three-item list, as opposed to crossing out three ‘to do’ items on a list of 20.
Dr Michelle Groves, Director of the Faculty of Education

4. Communicate

Your teachers, tutors and Programme Managers are still there to help you, as are your fellow course mates. We are the video chat generation; use it! There’s almost 100% chance that your peers are feeling the same way as you and one of them may have the answer.
Chantelle Louise Capes, BA (Hons) Dance Education student

5. Have a back-up plan

Rarely does everything go to plan, so when you are devising your weekly, fortnightly, or monthly schedule, make sure you have identified Plan B Back-up time. If you had pencilled out Thursday mornings as a two-hour study period but find yourself having to deal with an unexpected issue, switch your study to the Plan B Back-up time scheduled for Sunday morning.
Dr Michelle Groves, Director of the Faculty of Education

6. Stay active and eat well

Doing some daily exercise really helps. I like to walk my dog in the morning; it is great to get some fresh air and be in nature. I also find that getting dressed in clothes that make you feel good can motivate you for the day. Around more intense study periods I eat more salad, vegetables and protein. Heavy and carbohydrate-rich meals can make you feel tired, sluggish and less productive.
Danielle Faldt, Diploma in Dance Studies student

7. Maintain a sense of community

If you have access to a chat forum, initiate a thread of well wishes to feel connected to one another; it can provide a sense of unity and strength knowing that we are all in this together.
Sita Manghnani Hans, MA in Education (Dance Teaching) student

8. Create a dedicated workspace

Do not work in your bedroom! This is a sure-fire way to either get distracted or lose sleep. Try to keep your workspace separate to your relaxing, social spaces.
Chantelle Louise Capes, BA (Hons) Dance Education student

9. Use a preferred study style

Depending on your age, you may have experienced the days of the pen and paper; ‘old school’ can sometimes feel better than technology so go with that if it feels right! More traditional methods can be useful for study tasks that include mind-mapping, reflective thoughts and note taking. Sita Manghnani Hans, MA in Education (Dance Teaching) student

10. Take time to relax

Once I have reached my study limit, (reading literature and notes and not taking much in) I know that I am not going to be cognitively productive so I finish up and go about the rest of the day. After a good rest and sleep, your mind will have reflected on what you have learnt and as a result be more productive the next day.
Danielle Faldt, Diploma in Dance Studies student