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Remember: online classes are real classes. Take them seriously, and follow these pieces of advice for a great online learning experience:

• Be respectful: respect your lecturers and fellow students, remember there are real people behind the screen, and contribute to create a great learning atmosphere, and you will see how much you will enjoy your online lessons
• Turn off your microphone when the lecturer or a fellow student is speaking
• Use the “raise your hand” option so your lecturer or professor knows you want to comment on something or ask a question
• Use the quick buttons (thumbs up or down, etc.) if you want to show your agreement or disagreement with something without interrupting the class.
• When possible, try to turn on your camera
• Participate in class either by speaking or writing in the chat (if allowed)
• Engage in all activities designated by your lecturers and professors. 

Time management and holding yourself accountable for your actions are two of the most important aspects when it comes to attending classes. Here are some things you can do to improve your time management skills:

• Create a schedule that you can stick to, while considering all other compromises
• Plan a study schedule for your exams well in advance
• Try to start preparing for a subject at least one month before your examination date – this is especially important for research papers, in which you might need to start two months in advance - one for literature research and the diagram of your research paper, and another month of actually sitting down and writing it. Some people might even need three to four months for these types of tasks.
• Identifying which are your strong and weak points
• And try to prioritize those tasks you know you need more time for, so that you don´t find yourself in the situation that you postponed something you don´t particularly enjoy so much, and you only have a week left.
• If you must present research papers or other types of presentations, prepare a final rough draft one week before the final deadlines. This way, you will still have one week to go over it, correct some minor mistakes, and make sure you fulfil all requirements.
• Follow a weekly plan, in which you can include all your main online lessons, your self-study time; and leave enough space for all extra activities.
• If you want to know more about managing your time efficiently, contact StuCoS for a private session.

Eliminating all distractions around yourself and taking your classes and studying in a quiet place, are some of the best learning advice.

• Try to take your online lessons and/ or study, in a space in which there is no TV or any other non-essential technological equipment.
• If possible, leave your phone in another room so you will not be tempted to scroll down social media
• Eat on a separate room, not in front of your computer, and have enough water or non-alcoholic liquids next to you
• Plan what you need for your self-study or online lessons sessions and bring all that to your study area.

Feeling happy about where we are is a key element. Creating a space, you actually want to be in, will help you concentrate better. Some things you can do to make your space more to your taste are:

• Decorating it with bright colours you like.
• Adding plants and other elements.
• Having a comfortable chair and desk of your preference, but which allows you to work for hours straight without feeling uncomfortable.
• Choose a room or a setting in your household that has a nice view, preferably to the street or garden, so you can relax your eyes from time to time.
• Set all your most important elements (note pads, computer, pencils & pens, etc.) so you don´t have to go searching for them.

• Sit down for studying when you know you can dedicate the time and space for the task.
• If you need to finish tasks by a deadline, but you are not in the right mental place, try to practise meditation or do an activity previously which calms you down.
• For mediation and other relaxation techniques, you can always use the 7 mind app, Germany’s most beloved mediation app, free of charge for all THD students (up to 12 months).

• Take notes and quiz yourself during class. This will help you maintain your focus on the class and will provide for a great study resource in the future.

University is supposed to prepare us with knowledge for our future career lives. Don´t just focus on getting good grades and doing just what is necessary to pass the subjects; but rather on understanding the content and applying it to daily life situations related to your study course. Here is how:

• If you are learning theoretical subjects, think about how those things can be applied in real-life scenarios.
• If you are writing research papers, think about how your research can help improve your field of study, even if it is in a small amount.
• Take your study seriously, as you would do a job.

If you do this, and thoughtfully understand what you are learning, good marks will surely follow.

• Take at least a 5-minutes-break every hour. ECRI´s lessons are planned so that you can have a break every hour and a half max, but if for any reason your classes last longer than these, try to at least bring your eyes out of the screen for a few minutes, given them try to relax from the blue light.
• Use blue light glasses and screen protectors if you can.
• Sleep well, rest accordingly, for at least 8 hours every night.
• Try to go to sleep before 2 am every night.

• Eat well (enough, not too much and not too little) and incorporate every nutrient that makes you feel well and alive.
• Analyse which type of macronutrient (carbs, proteins, and fats) makes you feel more tired, and try to limit that type of macronutrient before long classes or days in which you have too much on your plate.
• If you suffer from exhaustion (feeling tired all the time) or can´t concentrate, talk with your doctor immediately, because you could be suffering from nutrient imbalance or malnutrition. You can see how to find a doctor in our “important contacts in Rottal inn” list.
• Stay active, try to do at least 30 minutes of an activity you enjoy per day.
• Try to go outside every day, free your mind from computers and electronic devices daily.
• When you are not studying, limit your screen time as much as possible. This will help you stay fit and concentrate better.

• Work in groups, organize activities with other people
• If you are not in Germany or are under quarantine, try to at least organise some online study groups.
• If you can meet with fellow students, try to organise it once per week, even if they are not in your same classes. Sometimes, just being next to someone can help.
• Have In mind all SARS-COVID-19 rules, respect the minimum distance, and use a face mask when necessary.