Virtual Activation: Small Steps, Big Results

When I think back to my first time enrolling in online courses, I thought it would be easy, but I was wrong. Each week I felt stressed out trying to comprehend assignments while learning from a distance. Now that I was operating without a fixed schedule, I became a procrastinator, continually struggling to find my motivation to learn. It caused a lack of concentration, which made me reconsider why I applied for graduate school only to cause more stress.

After maybe six weeks in my second semester of graduate school, I recognized that something had to change. I decided to become physically active because I thought working out might help reduce my stress level and give me more confidence with my academics. This turns out to be true. A research brief sponsored by ActiveLivingResearch.org reviewed several dozen studies and concluded that “Physical activity can have both immediate and long-term benefits on academic performance”.  For me, I began working out for only 30-minutes a day, and before I knew it, I was up to an hour a day! Since I began this new healthy habit, every discussion, quiz, and research paper I completed was done with a purpose. I had a totally different mindset—it was as if I already knew I had made a good grade. My new confidence felt good and it most definitely showed in my grades.

Exercising a few minutes a day could be the first step to helping you maintain focus in your online classes. Those few minutes a day will eventually stimulate your brain, allowing you to study longer and complete difficult assignments. Eventually, you will be able to increase the amount of exercise as well. Don’t be surprised when you’re able to add 5 to 10 minutes each week. Before you know it, you’ll be going for 40 minutes a day.

After my workouts, I would dive straight into doing homework. My concentration was consistently improving after working out before hitting the books. I was more focused as I completed assignments days before the due dates. 

Becoming physically active can increase your concentration. You can go for a 20-minute jog, do resistance training or mind-body exercise before starting on an assignment. You can find lots of suggestions from the Campus Rec staff (here are some links to their videos and suggested workouts). This first step is critical to your success, so start with a gentle routine and build up to a more vigorous exercise. Eventually, these exercises will boost your memory, concentration, and focus that will give you the ability to complete assignments quicker. You can do it! 

By Londyn Thomas - Londyn is a graduate student in the Physical Education program and a graduate assistant in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Southern Mississippi. She also serves as a volunteer GA for the Southern Miss Women’s Basketball program.