Virtual School Tips for Students!
By: Isabella Tao, Grade 12 student at Dr. Norman Bethune C.I.
Virtual school can sometimes be more stressful than regular school: you lack motivation, it can be difficult to concentrate, and information may not be as embedded in your mind. Although some people learn better online, it is still a struggle for many students that aren’t used to this new kind of education. Don’t fret, though–I’ve got some tips to help you through this challenging time!
Learn ahead
I cannot stress enough how beneficial it is to learn the course material ahead of time on your own. From my experience and from what I’ve heard from others, many of the virtual school board teachers are not as good at teaching in comparison to the teachers they’ve had in school. To tackle this problem, learning the course material ahead of time will allow you to understand concepts before your teacher even teaches them. This can help you stay on top of your work, so you’re not stuck on specific topics. However, if you are having trouble, then your teacher can help clarify with you once they reach the time to teach it.
Manage your time efficiently
I found that virtual school assigns more work than regular school, making it difficult to finish your assignments and tasks on time. To combat this, use either a planner, calendar, or app that will allow you to track down due dates and any upcoming events. You should also make a list of what work you need to complete each day and follow the schedule to ensure you’re getting everything done. Not only does this allow you to get your work done, but it also builds good time management skills, which can benefit you in the future.
Utilize other sources of information
Often, students do not receive enough preparation or practice for tests and quizzes from their teachers. This is when you should utilize other sources of information. For example, you can search up practice worksheets for what you need more practice with. You can also search for YouTube videos that can help teach or clarify information for you; I’ve found that The Organic Chemistry Tutor, Anil Kumar, TedEd, and Khan Academy are some very helpful resources. Furthermore, you can ask people on websites such as Reddit to help you. It is a large discussion platform used for many reasons, with school work help being one of them!
Reach out to old teachers
Just because your teachers from last year might not be teaching you anymore, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t there to help you anymore. Most teachers are still very willing to help you if you need anything, so don’t hesitate to ask!
Take mental breaks
During this pandemic, virtual school has caused a lot of stress on everyone, so take breaks when you need them! You may think that working or studying non-stop will make the work go by faster; however, this can increase stress and make it harder for your brain to memorize information. Things you can do during a mental break include:
Going for a walk outside (wear your mask!)
Taking a short nap
Listening to music
Stretching
Grabbing a healthy snack to eat
To conclude, virtual learning is something that you can get through, even though it may seem extraordinarily tiring and stressful. Use these tips from a fellow student and see what a difference it makes. It sure made some for me when I started doing them, so give them a try!