Five Ways to Be Successful at Online School

The end of school is finally here. Without a doubt, everybody in America was counting down the days, eager to put this school year behind us. It’s been difficult for students, families, and teachers alike.

Maybe your student struggled this year with Pandemic-school and is now behind the eight ball? Many schools offer credit recovery, but almost all are 100% online now. Your student may spend the last few weeks of school scrambling to earn a credit. 

Perhaps your high school student will do some courses this summer, either to make up a missed or failed class, or to get ahead by taking advantage of college courses. Many freshmen in college enter their first year with several credit hours already earned. Again, these classes are usually offered online. 

With the advent of Covid-19 vaccines and the decrease of new cases in the US, normal school looms very promisingly in the future. It is highly likely Texas schools will return to in-person education this fall. The president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, said in a speech on 5-12-2021, “There is no doubt: schools must be open.” However, many parents and students may still have an online minefield to navigate. How can you do that without you, or your student, or both losing your mind?

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1. Establish a time each day for online school. Stick to that schedule no matter what. When students do not have a specific time or place to show up in person, it is easy to procrastinate. If you know how many hours your course takes, divide that number by the number of days you have available to you, then knock that time out. Every. Single. Day. 
    

2. Create a space in your home that is only for school. Choose a spot without distractions. Your child’s room may be a great place. She can shut the door and block out the noise from others in the house. But the TV on the dresser or the video games may prove too great a temptation to withstand. Perhaps the kitchen table is safer? However, if there is a lot of foot traffic moving through that room, it could pull your student’s attention away from their work.
   Carve out a spot that is just for school work—for the time period you allotted each day—and guard it like gold. Having a place that allows you to focus removes half of your hurdles right off the bat!

3. Once you and your child have your study spot picked out, gather everything they will need and have it handy. Water bottle, pencil, eraser, ruler, highlighter, dictionary, calculator, Kleenex. Keep whatever is needed to complete this class within arm’s reach. This removes any excuses your student may dream up to leave the private hideaway. Get them in there so they can focus and get to work.

4.  If your student’s time allotted is longer than one hour, plan five-minute breaks every 55 minutes. Jog down the driveway to the mailbox and back. Do 20 jumping jacks. Take a potty break.
   If your student finds it difficult to focus, do this brain activity. Cross your arms over your body and connect the two hemispheres of your brain. Stand with your feet apart and arms all the way out (parallel to the ground). Shift your weight to your left foot, lift your right knee and touch it with your left hand. Go back to both feet and immediately shift to the other side. Repeat 30 times in an upbeat, rhythmic way. 

5. Help your student set goals. Break down tasks into small, manageable steps. Every item that gets completed, cross off the list. Get a big red marker and scratch that baby out! The goal can be as simple as completing a chapter. Or finishing an assignment. Or retaking a test. Give them a pat on the back for getting one step closer to their goals. 

Some students look forward to your online class. Others do not. Either way, you’re your child remember: you can do anything for a short period of time. Keep your goal in front of you and stay focused. You can do it!