I’ve learned from a couple of people that for some, online learning isn’t quite their forte. Whether it’s the due dates that slip their mind or the lack of access to ask questions and immediately get an answer, it can all become this big pile of frustration and confusion, which is definitely understandable. We all learn differently and have our strengths and our weaknesses, but with the rest of the semester now officially being online, we don’t have much of a choice.
Things can get sticky when communicating outside our homes suddenly becomes restricted. For an introvert, it’s the life dream, but for a student trying to pass classes, it can get difficult (as a journalism major, it just becomes downright chaotic). However, I’m learning to get a little better with managing online classes.
Here are four tips that might help you adjust to online classes:
- Early Bird Gets the Worm!
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Not a lot of us like getting things done ahead of time, well, at least when it has to do with homework. We could be using that free time to do a thousand other things, but trust me, you’ll be relieved with every due date! Why? Because you’ll realize you did it already! It’s one of the most wonderful feelings in the world honestly and you won’t be getting deducted because of your dang awful memory (in my case, I have the memory of an 80-year-old woman). If you continue this pattern, you might just end up finishing the class early, which is always beautiful. It’s like early Christmas!
- Schedule/List/Anything!
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I know a lot of us aren’t the type to use schedules or planners (I’m not). However, even a tiny note or list could help with passing these online classes. Since we don’t have a physical teacher reminding us about our due dates, it’s easier for things to slip our minds. So setting alarms, making lists, or putting up sticky notes somewhere you know you’ll always look at, can really save your grades.
- No Distractions, Especially Your Phone
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When I studied with my cousin once, I noticed how often he used his phone to look at his social media and I was done before he was even halfway through his homework. We both learned a lesson—remove the phone from the premises! This no tech distraction policy also includes things like TV (unless it really doesn’t bother you) and other people that aren’t your study buddies. We must get rid of all temptations, as annoying as it can be. We can’t be trusting of our phone addicted fingers so easily.
- Take Breaks!
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I love taking breaks (although most of the time my workaholic butt won’t listen). Breaks let me recharge after a long period of time staring at a screen. I usually eat a snack or dinner during these breaks too to make sure I’m staying healthy. If you’re not in a good mental state, this will affect your assignments and well, we really would prefer for that not to happen. Depending on your habits, you can schedule these breaks, put little reminders, or just understand yourself enough to know when to stop. We can’t forget that life isn’t just school. Our education is important but so is our health. Without one, we can’t have the other.
Hopefully, these tips do help at least a little bit in this strange foreign time of having literally everything online. Good luck and don’t forget—take it one day at a time.