1. Have a Designated Workspace
Online school is no different. It is better to do work in a certain place than any other type. By creating a learning space that is dedicated to studying, you can make sure you are ready for success. This will help your brain associate the area with working hard and achieving your goals. It doesn’t matter if this is your back porch or your kitchen. Or your living room. Make sure you choose an area with an adequate internet connection.
Top three things to do:
These are the books, notes, browser tabs, and other information you will need to teach your class that day.
Earbuds, headphones, or other ways to transmit audio information from your device to the brain are great for when your family starts clattering all around.
It is embarrassing to not have a charger on your device when you go to the classroom and it dies halfway through.
2. Get organized (and stay that way).
Now that you have your designated workspace, it is time for organization. It may look easy; papers here, pens there, a fun flowerpot in the corner. But the real problem is when the rubber meets road. Now you have to write three essays, complete a project, and prepare notes for the lecture about bunny rabbit history due at the end. Now you feel disorganized, and don't know how to get your workspace organized again.
It's easy to start: Create a collection of folders either in a binder oder in your storage drives. Label each one using your classes. Create folders in the folders you have created to organize and separate notes from homework and handouts. You shouldn't just create it and forget about it. It is important to use it every day, regularly, and thoughtfully. Once you have the shell in place, don't be afraid experiment with it and adapt it to your needs. It will become your lifeline over time.
Do not forget to back up your data in the event that you lose or crash.
3. Eliminate distractions
Each day, set aside a specific time to study and avoid distractions. You can have a schedule for online courses. After you have eaten lunch on Mondays, it is possible to continue working on history notes until 2 hours. It will be easier to maintain if you have a regular routine. You should make sure that you're in a location where distractions are minimal (see tip).
It is essential that you have a designated space for study, free from distractions and noises. Turn off your TV and place your devices on "Do Not Disturb" so that you don’t get any notifications from social media during your cram session. It's okay to have some background music. However, it's important not to make it too loud. I find that LoFi or Classical helps me get the most done.
4. Pay Attention
It's so simple it could work! You can easily get distracted when taking online classes. However, it is important to pay attention if you are to thrive and survive this year. Keep a record of the conversation and take notes. Keep only the most important points in your notes. Notes that were recorded should be time stamped, particularly if they are being typed. Notes are essential. It will help you concentrate on the class and later help you when you need to recall the difference between a bullfrog versus a toad.
If you are planning to post your notes online, learn how to use ctrl+f. This can be used to search for keywords in any program.
5. Keep Yourself Responsible
Anyone who has completed an online class will know how difficult it is to stay on track. Make sure to set personal due dates for your assignments. Also, make sure to check in once per week. This is not an endorsement to turn in work late. Instead, make sure you set deadlines that are manageable and within the guidelines of your teachers.
You might have trouble keeping track of work if you reach out and tell your teacher. Even though you may not be exempted of late penalties, it will show your teacher that you are still interested in their class, no matter what the setting.
6. Take a Break
It is a good idea to take frequent breaks. One of the best ways to increase your productivity is to take frequent short breaks. After a long day of studying, we all tend to lose our focus and get confused.
Do not think about what you are doing during these breaks. Instead, take a moment to give your brain some space. You can stretch your legs, move around, drink water, eat a snack, or just relax. If your phone has been vibrating while you were studying, turn it off and check your device.
7. Treat Yourself
Celebrate an A- on the paper. Have a good time celebrating an A in the class. It is important to remember that, despite virtual classes, a pandemic, and all the stress of high school, you still have a daily life. Spend time with your family and do things you love. If you only study, do research, and cram, your brain will go crazy.
You must remember that school and classes are coming to an end one day, and that you're going to accomplish amazing things. Motivation is key to making it easier to live your life.
8. Be positive
It is difficult for everyone. We could not have prepared for it in advance. Keep smiling, laughing, and finding joy in the work you do. You may not like what you do, but it helps you to grow as a student.
Related Resources:
8 Tips to Survive in Online School
7 Tips to Survive Your Online Classes
8 Tips to Survive and Thrive in Online School
8 Tips to Survive Online School and Thrive