9 Tips for Setting Your Virtual Learner Up for Success
Who imagined we would still be stuck here when the new school year started? I certainly didn’t!
Now that we know virtual learning will be around for at least a few more months, if not longer, it’s time to use what we learned in the spring. This is a collection of tips from teachers, tutors, education scholars, college admissions experts, and a school psychologist.
Make a dedicated work space. Find a space that is quiet, neat, and (hopefully) private. It signals to your brain that it’s time to focus and do schoolwork. (Ideally, this space is not your bedroom, because you don’t want your brain to confuse work time and sleep time!)
Stick to a routine. Since you will not stuck in a building all day, you will have more flexibility in your routine. This is not always a good thing. Make a schedule that works for you and try to stick to it every weekday. Ask your family and friends to help you stick up your routine.
Own your workload. Everyone is overwhelmed right now. If you leave it up to your teachers, family, and study buddies to remind you of assignments, you may get stuck. Keep track of your own deadlines and plan ahead.
Ask for help before you need it. Your teacher, parent, or study buddy may not be available to help when you need it. Look over assignments when you first get them and anticipate any sticking points. Reach out to your teachers before they reach out to you. Expect to wait 24 hours before getting a response to an email or phone call.
Present yourself professionally. Virtual communication is new for a lot of people. Make sure your best self is visible in all school-related interactions. Give quick proofread to all your emails to teachers, to make sure you have full sentences, standard grammar, and polite greetings and signatures. If you don’t already have one, get an email address that is some form of your first and last name - you will continue to use it for college and job applications.
Schedule self care. Add your favorite stress-relieving activities to your schedule, whether you like baking cookies, watching TV, or playing Fortnite. Sticking to your schedule can help keep you relaxed while also making sure you don’t get stuck in an all-night Fortnite tournament.
Schedule healthy habits. Your brain and body will function much better if you regularly exercise and eat nutritious foods, even if that means something simple like grabbing an apple and going for a walk. Try to get outside for at least a few minutes every day.
Expect last-minute changes. You might not be able to tour the college you always dreamed of visiting. You might have your SAT cancelled the night before. These changes are frustrating and stressful, but there isn’t a whole lot you can do about it. Be creative in your backup plans - take a virtual college tour, email a current undergraduate with questions, and take a practice SAT every few weeks to keep your skills sharp in case you get a last minute seat at a pop test site.
Be forgiving to your parents, teachers, and most importantly, yourself. This is uncharted territory. Things won’t go as planned and mistakes will be made. Bounce back and try something different.
Have suggestions that weren’t mentioned? Comment below or email robinsatty@stemsmartconsulting.com.