Is Your Online Degree Draining You? Here’s How To Stay Motivated

Is Your Online Degree Draining You? Here’s How To Stay Motivated

Updated on Mar 12, 2025 05:10 PM IST | #MBA

According to a Mckinsey June 2023 survey, 65 percent of students who preferred online learning experienced some aspect of virtual education, such as recorded lectures, easy-to-access resources, and the flexibility to balance work and studies. While the public perception of online learning is continuously changing daily, many still lose self-confidence and motivation to learn from them.

Is Your Online Degree Draining You? Here’s How To Stay Motivated
Is Your Online Degree Draining You? Here’s How To Stay Motivated

Online degree programmes in India are provided in multiple subject domains, including humanities, sciences, and management. Several UGC-approved online degrees from top universities help students gain industry-relevant skills, enhance career prospects, and secure leadership roles without disrupting their professional commitments.

While it is important to stay disciplined and create a strict schedule to enhance academic learning in online degree courses, flexibility also plays a key role in balancing studies with professional and personal commitments. Effective time management, self-motivation, and setting academic goals can further maximise learning outcomes.

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How to Stay Motivated and Disciplined in an Online Degree?

Lack of motivation is a common challenge for students pursuing an online degree as virtual education requires self-discipline and consistency. Without a structured classroom environment, students may struggle with time management and engagement. The following points highlight the ways to stay motivated and disciplined in an online degree:

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Set Clear Academic Goals

Setting a clear academic goal provides direction and purpose to progress continuously and stay motivated toward the target. Plan your specific academic calendar and set a time and date to complete a particular target.

Tips: Set short-term goals and long-term goals. UG students can complete assignments two days before the deadline and focus the remaining time on their semester exams. While PG students can divide their plans weekly, prepare for exams five days a week, and complete assignments on weekends.

Also Read: Can Online Degree Outpace Regular Degree?

Create a Dedicated Study Space

A well-organised study place enhances productivity and decreases distractions. Many times UG students face noisy environments at home, while PG students deal with jobs. Students must create a designated place where they can study focused and effectively.

Tips: Set a particular place at home where you will find peace and a silent environment. It can be your separate room, a particular corner of your home where you keep your books and study material. Don’t study in bed.

Follow a Structured Study Schedule

Create study plans for study timetables, and implement the plan effectively every day. Don’t give excuses for breaking the fixed schedule, follow it properly to help you to stay consistent and achieve your goals.

Tip: Irregular study schedules will not help you to achieve your goals. Plan properly from waking up in the morning till sleeping time.

Develop Strong Time Management Skills

Balancing studies, work, and personal life can be overwhelming. A working professional pursuing an online HR degree used a digital planner to manage deadlines. By prioritising tasks, she reduced stress and completed coursework efficiently.

Time management skills are most important to achieve your goals. Students need strong time management skills to balance their job, study and personal commitments.

Tips: Plan your daily and weekly routine properly, where you set a timer for each task. You can also use Google Calendar to remind yourself and avoid last-minute rushes.

Stay Engaged with Course Materials

Many times online learners lose their interstate because of virtual mode and the absence of physicality in online learning. In such time, students can participate in quizzes, watch related videos, and do some research on relevant topics to stay engaged with materials.

Tips: Participates actively in debates, discussions, and quizzes and asks queries in live lectures. Take notes in online lectures and search online resources related to your topic.

Avoid Procrastination and Stay Consistent

Procrastination is one of the most common challenges. Many times students delay assessments and projects, which creates stress and mental fatigue. Students should divide the task and set a particular time to complete the task.

Tips: Do not plan a big task, break it and divide and complete it within the time. Start working on your assignment five minutes before the scheduled time.

Celebrate Small Achievements and Stay Positive

Students should celebrate small achievements whenever they complete any task before the deadline. You can celebrate in many ways by treating yourself; this will enhance your motivation and encourage consistency.

Tips: Students should note this achievement that will help them to stay motivated. They should celebrate this achievement by spending some break-time on their hobbies.

Also Read: Pursue These Online Programs at Your Own Peril, Read on to Know Why

Key Strategies To Overcome Common Challenges in Online Learning

Online learning provides numerous opportunities and benefits, but it has many challenges. Many times students struggle with a lack of motivation, distraction, self-discipline, and time management. Below are some tips to overcome common challenges in online learning:

  • Track your progress weekly to boost your confidence and consistency level.
  • Break the task into smaller steps, give 25 minutes for the study, and take a 5-minute break, this will help to overcome procrastination.
  • If you struggle with maintaining focus, then consider working for 90 minutes followed by 20-minute active breaks. This method enhances productivity without causing burnout.
  • Utilise time management AI tools such as Todoist, Clockwise to prioritise tasks, stay organised, and maintain a productive study schedule.
  • Interact with peers and faculty by participating in live discussions, debates, and quizzes that help to enhance your network.
  • When you have to complete multiple tasks at the same deadline, then create an effective plan and divide time for each and complete it accordingly.
  • Maintain a consistent interest in staying engaged in live lectures while also utilising recorded sessions and study materials for enhanced learning.
  • Never hesitate to reach out to instructors for clarification or guidance when facing academic difficulties.
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An online degree plays an important role in providing numerous opportunities and shaping the future of students. Undergraduate and postgraduate students should follow these tips and strategies to stay focused on their studies, achieve success, and make the online learning experience knowledgeable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I stay motivated in an online degree?

Candidates are advised to make a fixed schedule, set clear goals, and implement their strategies effectively.

2. What are effective study techniques for online students?

Some of the effective study techniques are note-taking, discussions, and flashcards.

3. What is the best way to manage time for online learning?

Create a structured study plan by making a study calendar, dividing tasks, and completing the task at given times.

4. How can I avoid procrastination in online courses?

Divide the bigger task into small steps, set a deadline for each task, and implement your strategies effectively.

5. Is an online degree valid for jobs abroad?

An online degree is valid and recognised by employers abroad. Candidates must explore the opportunities that come with it.

Explore Top Universities Across Globe

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University of Nottingham, Nottingham
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Questions related to MBA

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With 6580 AP ICET rank and BC-E category, getting MBA at Andhra University main campus is unlikely (cutoff usually below 2000).

But you have good chances in AU-affiliated or self-financed colleges.

Attend counseling and list both main and affiliated colleges.


Hey there!

To apply for the MBA program at Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI) in Agra for the 2-25-26 academic session, you can follow the following steps below;

DEI offers both online and offline application modes:

Online Application:

  • Visit the offiical website: Navigate to www.dei.ac.in (//www.dei.ac.in)
  • Access the Admission portal : Click on the "apply online" link available on the homepage
  • Register and Fill the Application form: Create an account, fill in the required details, and upload necessary documents.
  • Pay the application Fee: The application fee is 1,200/- payable online through debit/credit card or net banking.
  • Submit the application : Review all information and submit the form. It's advisable to keep a copy of the submitted application for future reference,

Offline Application :

  • Obtain the application form: Collect the paper-based prospectus along with the application form from the DEI Institute counter.
  • Fill and Submit : Complete the form manually and submit it at the institute counter before the specified deadline.

Eligibility Criteria :

  • Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks.
  • Entrance Exam: Valid score in CUET-PG or other accepted entrance examinations.

Documents required:

  • Class 10th and 12th marks sheets
  • Graduation mark sheet
  • Transfer and Character certificates
  • Passport- size photographs
  • Valid entrance exam scorecard.

Hi, first of all, take a deep breath—it’s completely normal to feel stressed in such situations, but there’s still a way forward.

If you missed the NMIMS CET exam because you couldn’t download the admit card, the first thing you should do is immediately contact the NMIMS admissions helpdesk . Explain your situation clearly—mention your application ID, registered email ID, and the exact issue you faced (like not receiving the admit card or not being able to access it on the portal). Sometimes, if it was a technical issue and you have a valid reason, they might allow you to reschedule the exam, especially if multiple test slots are available.

However, if all CET test windows have closed, you may not be able to appear this year. Still, don’t lose hope. NMIMS offers admissions through other routes like NPAT for UG management and commerce programs , or direct admission based on board scores for certain courses (depending on the stream you were aiming for—like BBA, BTech, etc.).

Also, look out for spot admissions or management quota seats , if your family is comfortable with that option financially. And if NMIMS is your top choice, remember—you can always aim again next year with better preparation and awareness of the timelines.

Lastly, don’t let one missed exam define your future. There are plenty of great colleges and entrance exams still open this year depending on your stream

After completing an MBA, you have good chances to join the banking sector in jobs like bank manager, credit analyst, financial advisor, or operations manager. Many banks recruit MBA graduates through exams like IBPS PO, SBI PO, or through campus placements. Your MBA skills in finance, marketing, or HR will help you grow faster. You can work in public sector banks, private banks, or financial institutions. It’s a stable job with good salary and growth opportunities. Preparing well for banking exams is important.



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To stop university calls:

  • Send START 0 to 1909 to activate DND.

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I hope this answer helps you. If you have more queries, feel free to share your questions with us, and we will be happy to assist you.

Thank you, and I wish you all the best in your bright future.

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