The Covid-19 pandemic has forced all of you to make substantial changes to your daily lives. For the students, the change has come in a way that is both exciting and boring.
Since the pandemic took over, online classes have now become the only medium of platform for educational institutions where teachers and students can interact. Being habituated to in-person learning can make online learning very challenging for both the teachers and students. However, with some tips, it can be as much as effective as learning in person in the classroom.
Today, we are providing some tips for the students to make online classes as effective as possible.
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1. Be flexible
You need to accept that your classes now are online lectures. The physical resources you used to have now are digital. You should be mindful to realise that the time you used to spend at your school or college should now be spent in front of a computer (or even a mobile phone). The format of learning has changed but the importance of the course remains the same. You might have to adjust yourself according to the change, at least for the time being.
2. Maintain your discipline
Though you might be in your home and it may not look anything like your school or college, your classes still hold the same importance. You should stay aware and alert like you would in a physical classroom. Anything that can cause distractions during class should be avoided. The smartphone should not be used during the classroom unless you are using it for the classroom itself or if there is an emergency. Maintaining proper discipline always makes you more focused on the task you are doing and it is also a way of showing appreciation for the teachers who have worked hard for the students.
3. Create a regular study space
Although it may not seem much of a deal, setting up a dedicated space for the study is important. It creates a learning environment for you and by completing your work there regularly and repeatedly, you begin to establish a routine. This also helps you stay organised. Knowing exactly where your files, documents, books and assignments are helps you keep tracks of your goals. Make sure your study space has adequate lighting, a proper chair, water bottles to keep you hydrated and is out of distractions as much as possible.
4. Be prepared
Needless to say, you should always be prepared about the contents your teacher is going to teach ahead of the class. This makes you more receptive to the contents you learn that day and will have a better understanding of that subject matter in the long run. Students often do not come prepared, due to which sometimes there can be an overload of the content. Being prepared also means making yourself ready with all the required stationery so that you can actively take notes if needed during class hours. Taking notes can promote active thinking, boost comprehension and extend your attention span.
5. Don’t hesitate to interact
During your class, you may not always grab everything the teacher is teaching. If you are attentive and miss something or did not understand something, do not hesitate to raise a question. Two-way communication is important for both the teachers and the students. This allows both to understand each other better and know where they are according to the plan or syllabus. Your feedback can help the teacher to know if they are on the right track and your question to the teacher makes you clear if there are any doubts. If you cannot ask your teacher during the class, you can always request to contact them after the class as well. Your friend can also be an option if the teacher is unavailable.
6. Take breaks
Resting your brain after learning is critical for high performance. If you have to attain regular classes, make sure to contact and request the administration to make a time for breaks during the classes. You can also request your teacher for a short break if the class has been running for a long time. During breaks, make yourself away from the screen and find something that energises you. You can talk to your friend, sip a coffee, walk around your house; this can re-energise you and can make you more attentive.
7. Pay attention to time management
Time management is always crucial for balanced day-to-day activities. Make a schedule; sticking with it always keeps you structured. Since you are on the lockdown staying home all the time, you think you have more time than usual and tend to do things unsystematically. But, this can affect your study time and can cause fatigue and tiredness during classes. Estimate how much time you need for the study and make a schedule that you can quickly check to see what you need to accomplish and when are the tasks needed to be completed.
Disconnect yourself from social media and your phone to focus during your dedicated study time.
8. Stay motivated and reward yourself
There is always a possibility of losing interest and motivation during online classes. You should keep reminding yourself about the goals and objectives you made for yourself. If you are frustrated, you can always take a break to clear your head or consult with your friends, teachers or your parents. You can always reward yourself after you complete a task to stay motivated. Your rewards can be as simple as getting yourself an extra hour or an extra episode of your favourite series. Whatever the case, create a reward system that sends positive messages to your brain.
