The Spring 2021 semester is another opportunity for me to start fresh and get back into the groove of my studies. It sure seems like time flies in the blink of an eye. I’m very excited and I look forward to discovering what my courses have in store for me, especially since they’re all online. I’m going to share the best parts of online learning, along with some tips on how to develop and maintain academic success this semester.
- Remote learning has given me so many opportunities to do the things I enjoy
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The comfort of being engaged in remote learning for the past few semesters has brought smooth convenience and relaxation for me. Over the past few months, I’ve continued to spend time back in my hometown, where my surrounding environment is full of places and people I’m familiar with and enjoy spending my time with. This has helped me create a personal routine and healthy balance between my academics, time for myself, and others. I’ve taken up a job that demands long days and hours, so being able to work on my classes without any additional stress conflicting between the two is something I appreciate. I like to keep myself occupied yet not overloaded, and with remote learning, my class schedule and workload are both manageable and appropriate. The extra time I have from remote learning has motivated me to try or do things I typically wouldn’t have made the time for. This includes listening to more podcasts, traveling to nearby cities on the weekends, and frequently socializing with my colleagues outside of my job.
- Remote learning has helped me improve my communication skills
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Remote learning paired with advanced technology like devices, apps, and services is beneficial because it expands my academic and professional networks. General platforms like Zoom, Webcourses, Google Duo, Microsoft Teams and many more are helping individuals like me maintain interconnectivity and relations with others in our own lives. I found that actively engaging more during my Zoom sessions and initiating virtual communication with my professors (through email or online office hours) is key to success in a course, as opposed to simply attending class. There are also certain assignments and activities within courses that are designed to facilitate and encourage student conversations through group work, like projects and discussions. I think these are effective ways of easing the pressure and anxiety that comes with traditional in-person classes.
- With remote learning, there are different resources and strategies that you may try and can benefit from
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Develop and establish a reliable and realistic daily routine and weekly schedule to follow. Take a moment to plan how you can accomplish all of your assignments on time. Procrastination should be your last resort. It’s important to keep in mind that balance is very important, especially when a busy schedule can affect your mental, social, emotional and physical health. Everything is a factor and must be considered. If you know you have a long day ahead at work, it’s best to break down parts of an assignment to complete one part one night and save the rest for another day. Another significant point to make is to prioritize yourself before anything else. If you don’t feel well, it’s perfectly okay to take an evening to rest early or find an activity that is calm, relaxing and therapeutic. You can try yoga, bathing, or listening to music; these are great for any kind of de-stressing.
Consider participating and interacting more in your online classes while utilizing offered resources and materials provided to your advantage. This strategy can increase your chances of receiving a higher grade with the guidance and knowledge that you gain. It’s also great for developing and achieving better interpersonal skills over time with consistent usage and practice.
Everyone has their own preferred style of learning and way to structure their routine. There’s no definite correct or incorrect way of doing things that all result in success. Try and experiment with what interests you based on your goals, motivation, and lifestyle in order to see what works best for you.