Succeeding in Online Classes

With public schools closed in over 40 states and hundreds of colleges and universities suspending in-person classes, the majority of American students must now adapt to online instruction. Virtual learning requires greater self-motivation, which can be challenging for individuals already confronting mental health challenges. The below tips and techniques can help ease the transition to online classes.

While it may be tempting to delay listening to lectures or completing assignments, continue to treat your courses as if they are face-to-face classes. Consider becoming “accountability partners” with someone you know in each course. It can help you to keep track of projects and due dates now that your teachers or professors will not be reminding you in class.

Make and follow a weekly schedule, designating certain hours every day to watch lectures, read textbooks, complete assignments and study. Time-blocking, using a timer to set a specific period for a task before moving to the next one, also can be helpful. Contrary to what many people think, switching back and forth between items on your To Do List causes you to pay less attention to each one and can actually take longer and result in more mistakes.

Create a dedicated space for studying and store your laptop, books and notebooks in it. Working there repeatedly will help to establish a routine. To eliminate possible distractions from other family members or pets, use headphones to listen to lectures and discussions. Consider turning your cell phone off when you are doing schoolwork to maintain your focus and/or adding website blockers, such as Cold Turkey (for Windows and Mac) or Focus (for Mac).

Smells can instantly bring back memories and some, like citrus or peppermint, make you feel more alert. Try wearing a scented lotion when you study and then reapply it before a test to better remember material. If you need to memorize a list of facts, tap a finger or foot once for each item. Repeating the action during an exam will help jog your memory.

If you feel yourself falling behind, contact your teacher or professor proactively to ask for help or guidance. Do not wait until immediately before a test or an assignment is due to ask questions or report issues. For parents concerned about their students, who are unexpectedly at home, non-confrontational ways to check on them include saying, “It seems as if you are having a rough time.” or “I sense you are very stressed.” As challenging as the move to online instruction is, ultimately it will result in schoolchildren and undergraduates who are more adaptable, patient and resilient.