Good study habits are key to unlocking success, especially in an online school environment. With the right strategies, you can help your child stay focused while studying online, stay motivated, and maintain a healthy balance. Here are five practical tips to help your learner thrive in their virtual school journey.

1. Build a strong mindset for online learning success

Your child's mindset is arguably the most important factor in determining their success, and it begins with a can-do attitude! Encourage your child to approach challenges with confidence by replacing negative thoughts like "I can’t" with positive affirmations such as "I can." Celebrate their progress and help them tackle difficult tasks by reminding them that they can grow through consistent practice. This is the foundation of building good study habits for online learners.

2. Make virtual learning engaging and rewarding

Even small wins deserve recognition! Reward your learner’s accomplishments — whether it's completing a tricky topic or staying consistent — with fun breaks, a healthy snack, or their favourite activity.

We take motivation to the next level with our Credentials badges. Every learner, regardless of their academic ability, can unlock their extraordinary. Your child can earn recognition for attending class, working through lesson content, completing tasks, submitting assessments, achieving goals, and more. This approach boosts positive behaviour through recognition and reinforcement, leading to a more engaging online learning experience – and better results for every learner!

Read more about our academic approach here.

3. Study smarter

Prioritising your child’s overall wellness can help them maintain a balance between their distance learning and personal wellbeing. Remember – healthy learners are successful learners. Encourage your child to:

• Get quality sleep to recharge their brain.

• Eat nutritious meals that boost focus and memory.

• Stay hydrated to keep energy levels high.

• Take regular breaks to stretch or enjoy physical activities in between online lessons.

Adopting these habits ensures that learners can study smarter (rather than harder!) and perform at their best.

4. Boost focus with time management and study techniques

The Pomodoro Technique is a simple but powerful time management strategy for online students. Here’s how it works:

• Focus on one task for 25 minutes (one “Pomodoro”).

• Take a short 5-minute break.

• After completing three Pomodoros, enjoy a longer break of 10–15 minutes.

This clever time-management method helps your child stay focused while studying online and retain more information as they prepare for their tests and exams.

5. Eliminate distractions and create the perfect learning environment

By learning online with Teneo, South Africa's no. 1 online school, your child can study in a distraction-free environment and benefit from personal attention and detailed feedback. Without the physical classroom, learners are free from the typical distractions of traditional schooling, and we ensure all students have access to the support they need to succeed.

• You can help your child eliminate distractions while learning online by:

• Keeping their phone silent or out of sight during class or study time.

• Turning off the TV and avoiding background noise.

• Creating a calm and quiet study space tailored to their specific learning needs.

Set your child up for online learning success with Teneo

At Teneo, we provide more than just education — we support learners in achieving their full potential. We offer everything you would expect from a quality private school, plus your child benefits from so much more! From interactive online lessons to real-time progress tracking, we ensure every child has the tools they need to excel, from Grade R right through to matric.

Are you ready to unlock the extraordinary in your child? Find out how it works here.