Because of the pandemic situation, there was a sudden shift to online-based education. Although there is a glint of hope because large scale vaccination programs are underway, the spring semester will still start with a virtual setup.
There are lots of challenges that affect online education. Poor internet connectivity problems, audio and camera issues, and a non-conducive learning environment at home are a few of the circumstances that hinder the learning process. Aside from that, students have lesser interaction with classmates and professors that result in lower interest in studying.
Despite the struggles of online learning, there are a lot of ways that can help you pass the semester and even go beyond the expectations from the courses. In this article, you can find helpful tips to jumpstart the unusual spring semester this year.
Tip No. 1: Use applications that help you organize your tasks and schedule (and avoid distractions)
Online education requires you to keep track of your assignments and class schedules digitally. There are various time management and note taking applications that you can download for free on your smartphones or computers. Notion, Google Calendar, Evernote, Microsoft OneNote, Todoist, Forest and Tide are among the recommended applications that you can try for yourself.
Tip No. 2: Do meditation or warm-up exercises in the morning
Having virtual classes exposes you to radiation emitted from your gadgets. Because you are more likely to stay indoors more often, it is important to allot some time for relaxation. Doing some meditation or warm-up exercises after you wake up is the best way to start your day. Since you don’t need to travel to attend classes, you can make use of that time to refresh and clear any troubling thoughts inside your head.
Tip No. 3: Utilize free resources on the Internet
Using the power of the search bar, you can easily gather the right information in an instant. With Google Scholar, you can browse through journals and research papers from credible authors that you can use in your thesis. If you have trouble understanding a topic, you can always find informative videos in Youtube. Although not everything on the Internet is true, the resources are readily available for you which allows you to excel even beyond the expectations of your course.
Tip No. 4: Don’t forget to socialize
You may not be able to meet your classmates in person for now but this should not be a reason for you to close your doors to socialize. Connect with your classmates so that you get to have an opportunity to become their online study buddy. You can share each other’s notes or discover each other’s interests.
Tip No. 5: Follow your daily schedule
It may be additional work but planning your daily schedule can help you manage your time wisely making sure you don’t get drenched with school work that jeopardizes your health. The demands of online education can be stressful for most people. That is why determining the priorities you have to accomplish for the day is a good training to keep you focused.
In a nutshell, the key to online education is discipline. If possible, avoid the habit of procrastinating and accomplish the small goals you set for the day. Although it is undeniably a tough time to learn when we read and hear heartbreaking stories about the situation we all face today, it also pushes us to become the tougher version of ourselves. It might be the worst scenario of this century but there is still a lesson that the present and future generations can learn from.