What tips can help you complete online courses faster?

December 03, 2025

Divide the content,digital distractions,time-saving study

Online courses offer a fantastic opportunity to learn at your own pace and expand your skills, but completing them efficiently requires a smart approach. By implementing a few key strategies, you can accelerate your progress and make the most of your study time.

From streamlining your study routine to staying organised and focused, there are simple, proven techniques that can help you stay on track and finish courses faster.These techniques can significantly accelerate your learning pace on the best online learning platforms. Here, we share some useful tips to help you complete online courses effectively and faster:

7 ways to speed up your CBSE online course completion:

To complete your online courses in time, you must prioritise efficiency and eliminate distractions. Here are seven practical tips to help you get ahead.

1. Plan your course completion backwards

Instead of waiting for deadlines, create them yourself. This simple planning technique makes the entire course more manageable.

  • Set a finish date: Decide when you want to complete the course (e.g., in four weeks).
  • Divide the content: Look at the total number of modules or topics. Divide them by the number of weeks you have.
  • Schedule blocks: Block out specific, non-negotiable study hours in your weekly routine.

2. Implement the "context first" approach

Reading or watching material without knowing the goal slows you down. Save time by actively preparing your brain before you start.

  • Skim the key takeaways: Always read the module summary first. This frames the topic and tells your brain what information is important.
  • Review quiz questions: Before watching a video lecture, quickly look at the quiz questions for that module. This directs your focus to the answers while the video plays.
  • Check the syllabus: Use the syllabus for any online course as a checklist. Tick off topics as you master them to see your progress instantly.

3. Eliminate all digital distractions

Your phone and unnecessary computer tabs are the biggest enemies of speed. Focused study sessions help you complete your CBSE online course in less time and effectively.

  • Use productivity timers: Try the Pomodoro Technique: work with high concentration for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This short-burst method prevents mental fatigue and maintains high efficiency.
  • Tidy your study space: Keep your desk clear and dedicated only to studying. This simple habit helps your mind enter "focus mode" faster.
  • Turn off notifications: Put your phone on silent and face down, or use 'Do Not Disturb' mode on your computer.

4. Speed up video lectures intelligently

Most platforms enable you to adjust the playback speed. Use this feature to complete content faster without losing comprehension.

  • Start at 1.25x: Begin watching videos at 1.25x speed. Most students can comfortably follow this pace.
  • Move to 1.5x: Once you are used to the faster speed, increase it to 1.5x. A one-hour lecture can be finished in just 40 minutes, which saves you a substantial amount of time over a long course.
  • Pause for complex parts: Do not hesitate to hit the pause button or reduce the speed for complex derivations or critical explanations.

5. Take notes properly

Your goal is not to write everything down, but to record only the most important information

  • Summarise: Listen to the concept and then write a summary in your own words.
  • Use short forms and symbols: Develop a personal system of abbreviations and symbols for commonly used words and phrases (e.g., 'becoz' for 'because,' an arrow for 'leads to').
  • Create mind maps: For heavily theoretical subjects, draw simple mind maps or flowcharts. Visual notes are easier and faster to create and review than long paragraphs.

6. Practise active recall and self-quizzing

Passive activities such as re-reading notes are low-impact. High-impact, time-saving study is active.

  • Test yourself: After finishing a topic, immediately write down everything you remember about it without looking at your notes. This process, called retrieval practice, strengthens memory faster than simply reading.
  • Solve practice problems: For subjects such as Maths or Science, do the practice questions and chapter-end exercises after the learning session. The application of the knowledge right away locks it into your long-term memory.

7. Avoid going solo and find accountability

Sharing the workload and getting help fast prevents time wastage due to confusion or lack of motivation.

  • Find a study buddy: Connect with another student in the course. Agree to check in with each other weekly to report on your progress. When you know someone else is relying on you, it becomes a powerful motivator to stay on schedule.

Looking for the best online learning platforms?

At mSchool, we provide CBSE students with an integrated learning platform featuring live online classes led by expert teachers. We offer a wealth of high-quality study material that aligns perfectly with your syllabus. Our platform offers structured courses, progress tracking via quizzes and assessments, and real-time document clearance to ensure you learn efficiently and effectively. We focus on concept clarity and application to help you maximise your study time and achieve better results in school and supplementary courses. As one of the best online learning platforms, we offer:

  • Topic-wise videos
  • Chapter-wise Assessments
  • Module-wise Question Banks
  • Business school's Institut constructivism.
  • Subject-wise IQ
  • For doubt clarifications, the “Ask a Doubt” feature