Simple, practical tips to reduce online fatigue, avoid burnout, and improve focus for a healthier, more productive online learning routine.
Tips to Reduce Online Fatigue and Avoid Student Burnout
Online fatigue and burnout are two of the most important concerns among students learning online. While the online learning environment promises flexibility, there are quite a few concerns that need to be addressed. Firstly, the lack of proper support makes it difficult for students to understand their lessons well. Further, no physical interaction leads to stress and anxiety, thus leading to student burnout.
To help you all, we have a few tips to control online fatigue, reduce burnout, and have a great learning experience.
Let’s get started!
Reducing Online Fatigue and Student Burnout: Tips for Online Students
Students are often seen looking for an IXL hack or cheat to get through the answers and submit their tasks on time. A major reason they look for hacks or cheats is that they are unable to understand and follow so many instructions. Also, since they do not get the necessary support at the right time, they look for easy ways to get things done.
We need all you students to understand one thing before we share the tips: you need to calm down and take one step at a time instead of jumping from one task to another. On that note, let’s start with the tips to help reduce online fatigue and student burnout:
-
Take Structured Breaks
Please understand, no one has asked you to work on the tasks and complete all of them in an hour. You have time to understand, decode, and work on the assignments. We suggest you take structured breaks in between studies to cope with your studies.
Use the 50/10 rule (study for 50 minutes, and take 10 minutes of break) or the 20-20-20 technique (take a break every 20 minutes and look at something 20 meters away for 20 seconds). You can use the break to know how to cheat on Edgenuity or other LMSs, and if there’s actually a way to do so.
-
Switch to Speaker View
Looking at a laptop or computer screen for long periods can lead to online fatigue. What you can do is that you switch to speaker view during virtual classes when the cameras are not required. Keep the important browser tabs open only to minimize cognitive load.
We know at times your professors will ask you to keep your cameras on throughout the session. While that cannot be avoided, you can always keep it closed when it’s not needed.
-
Physical Movement
You might not understand this, but your fatigue, stress, and burnout can be a result of sitting in a chair for hours. While you are at a resting position, your brain is always working, and that leads to fatigue. Also, sitting for hours can have a bad impact on your physical health.
To avoid all these, leave your chair for some time in between studies. Walk away from your computer, stretch, and do some physical activities to stay healthy. This will also help you improve your mental health.
-
Go Analog
One of the best ways to give your eyes a break and reduce online fatigue and burnout is to swap digital note-taking for paper and pen, read physical textbooks, and engage in non-digital hobbies.
This will help you reduce the time you spend looking at screens, thus helping you reduce online fatigue and avoid burnout. Digital fatigue is a concern that can be attributed to the ways you use the online environment. Try controlling that, and you will see the results.
-
Log Off on Time
Don’t push yourself to work for long hours if it’s not necessary. Log off completely after a certain point in time and get the much-needed rest. If you keep studying or working on assignments just to complete everything at once, burnout is inevitable.
To avoid such things, switch off your computer as soon as you feel tired and do not feel like working on your tasks. It will help you concentrate better the next day and complete all the tasks without being stressed.
-
Create a Dedicated Study Space
Do not sit and study on your bed. You need to separate your relaxation area from your study area. It will help you concentrate better and avoid online fatigue. This is necessary for your brain to switch context.
Sitting and studying on your bed will automatically lead you to feel relaxed and affect your concentration. This leads to burnout very easily. So, after you get proper rest, you must sit down to study in your dedicated study space.
-
Focus on One Task at a Time
Another tip that you must follow is that you must focus on one task at a time. Students have a habit of multitasking, and that increases mental fatigue. You are more concerned about how fast you can finish one task and jump to another. This hampers everything.
You would not be able to concentrate and complete one task, and would consequently fail to complete all of them on time.
-
Set Clear Goals
Do not set unrealistic goals. Check the deadlines, exam dates, and everything, and prepare a calendar with realistic goals. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable, time-blocked sessions.
This will help you complete the tasks on time without being stressed about them. Also, it helps reduce burnout and online fatigue. Implement this to ensure you have a great learning experience without being stressed about the lessons, assignments, and exams.
To End with,
Online learning can easily lead to fatigue and burnout when students try to do everything at once without proper structure. However, simple and consistent habits can make a significant difference. Taking structured breaks, reducing screen exposure, moving regularly, creating a dedicated study space, and focusing on one task at a time help improve both concentration and energy levels.
The key is to work smarter, not longer. Setting realistic goals, logging off on time, and managing tasks in smaller steps can prevent unnecessary stress. With the right balance and discipline, students can reduce online fatigue, protect their mental well-being, and create a more sustainable and positive learning experience.