To stay motivated during an online course, set yourself a regular slot rather than long sessions, break the programme into small goals and connect what you learn to a concrete project, such as your internship. Motivation doesn't last on its own: habits are what take over when it dips.
Distance learning has real advantages: you choose your hours, you go at your own pace, and you can fit the course around a job or an internship. But that freedom has a downside. Nobody is waiting for you in a classroom, and it's easy to put things off "until tomorrow". Don't worry, it isn't a willpower problem: it's an organisation problem, and it can be fixed.
Why do people drop out of distance courses?
The reasons are almost always the same:
- no fixed slot: the course comes after everything else;
- a goal that's too far away: "finishing the 200 hours" feels out of reach on a Tuesday evening;
- isolation: nobody to talk to or compare notes with;
- no link with real life: you can't see what what you're learning is for.
Each of the tips below tackles one of these causes.
1. Block out a slot like an appointment
Consistency matters more than length. Three 45-minute sessions a week, always at the same times, beat a whole Sunday of catching up once a month. Put these slots in your calendar, with a reminder, like an appointment you don't move.
2. Break the programme into short steps
A 200-hour course is long. Part of a module is doable tonight. Identify the main parts of the programme, then set yourself one goal a week: "this week, I'll finish this chapter". Ticking a box every week keeps you motivated far better than an hour counter.
Example: Karim is taking the Marketing and Communication course alongside his job. He keeps Monday and Thursday evenings free, plus an hour on Saturday morning. He never looks at the total left, only at the week's goal.
3. Set up a workspace
Even a small dedicated corner helps your brain "switch into study mode". A clear table, a notebook, your phone in another room. It sounds trivial, but distractions break your focus for much longer than you'd think.
4. Take notes by hand or put things in your own words
Reading passively feels like learning, but it doesn't stick. After each part, sum up what you've taken in, in three or four lines, in your own words. These notes will also come in handy during your internship, and even in interviews.
5. Connect the course to your internship
This is the most powerful lever. When something you saw in the course is useful the next day at work, motivation stops being an issue. If you're doing your internship at the same time, note the situations where a point from the course helped you, and talk about it with your supervisor.
That's also why the course should match your internship tasks: if you haven't already, read our guide to choosing the right course.
6. Accept the "off" weeks
There will be busy weeks, surprises, tiredness. That's not failure. One useful rule: never skip two weeks in a row. Even 20 minutes is enough to keep the thread and avoid the "I'm too far behind, I might as well stop" effect.
7. Keep your goal in sight
Write down why you're taking this course (the internship you're after, the job, the career change) and put it up near your workspace. On lazy days, rereading that sentence helps more than you'd imagine. If you're in the middle of a career change, that's even more true.
8. Don't stay stuck on your own
A concept isn't clicking? A question about your file? Write it down and ask our customer service by phone rather than going round in circles. Getting stuck on one point is one of the most common reasons people drop out, and often the easiest to avoid.
How are courses organised at EDU Business Institute?
Our 9 courses are 100% online and each one is 200 hours long, open to all profiles. You receive your login details within 24 hours of enrolling, then progress at your own pace, from a computer, in the evening, at the weekend or between assignments.
An important point for your planning: you don't need to have finished the course to get your internship agreement. So you can start your internship and follow the course alongside it, which is often the best way to stay motivated. The agreement is ready within 24 to 48 business hours once your file is complete.
Enrolment costs €299 (payable in 3 instalments with Klarna) and covers up to 6 months of internship in total. All the details are in our article How much does an internship agreement cost?.
FAQ
How many hours a week should you plan for?
It depends on your schedule and how far you want to have got by a given date. Two to four short sessions a week is a good base for steady progress without wearing yourself out.
Can you follow the course during your internship?
Yes, and it's actually recommended. Since the course is entirely remote, you can follow it in the evening or at the weekend. It doesn't need to be finished for you to get the agreement.
Does the course have set hours?
No. You access the lessons whenever you like. It's up to you to set your slots, hence the value of blocking them out in your calendar.
What if I've fallen behind?
Don't try to catch up all at once. Restart with a modest goal this week, then get back to your usual pace. Consistency always makes up for it in the end.
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