COVID-19 has forced people across the globe to adapt to life at home. For students, the most significant change has been the transition from in-person school to online learning. School districts and colleges are preparing to potentially begin the upcoming academic year the same way it left off — virtually.
There is no doubt that online learning makes the jobs of teachers and students more tedious, so follow these tips to get the most out of virtual class.
Designate a space
Don’t attend an online class in the same spot that you watch TV, play video games, read, or relax in. Try to sit at a desk away from distractions to best emulate being in a classroom. Designate that space for class only—it will help you focus and make the transition from being in class to having free time even more satisfying.
Create and follow a schedule
During a typical, in-person school day, do you devote a set amount of time to certain things—meals, homework, relaxation—in between classes? Do the same from home. The goal is to make the situation feel as much like regular school as possible, and creating and following a schedule is an easy way to separate work and play instead of letting them blend.
Stay connected
The most critical asset to succeed in online classes is, unfortunately, a stable Internet connection. Without one, video and audio feeds will be glitchy, you won’t be able to ask questions or adequately interact with classmates, and it will make the virtual experience incredibly frustrating. When picking your spot in the house, make sure you’ve got three bars of Wi-Fi!
Ax distractions
Online classes make submitting to distractions as easy as ever. You have unlimited access to your computer and phone, one or both of which you’re not allowed to use in an in-person class, and little to no chance of being reprimanded by the teacher. Don’t let your eyes wander. Keep your phone in another room during course time, and only use your computer to hear/see your teacher and take notes. You never know when you’ll get cold called on.
No slacking
Don’t let virtual class be a reason to slack off. Attend class at its scheduled time, even if your teacher records and posts class for students to watch again. Teachers still allot times for extra help or office hours. Use them. Most importantly, DON’T CHEAT, no matter how easy it is. Many schools and teachers require video and audio to remain on and may give less time to complete a test to keep students from cheating. Stay within your morals and prepare and take tests as if they were in-person.
Even as the COVID-19 pandemic withers away over the coming months and years, its effects will still linger. Conducting school and business remotely and virtually may become the new normal, and students and workers will have to adapt and develop new habits. There is no doubt the transition to online learning is a challenge, but everybody is capable of making the most of it.
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