The first day of school is always exciting, especially if you’re starting it in a new school. Although online classes may be a little different from traditional classes, it isn’t any less fun or thrilling! If this is your first time studying in an online program, here are our tried and tested tips to ensure online class success!
Tip #1 Study Your Device and Your School’s Portal
Even before your first day of classes begins, take the time to familiarize yourself with your device’s functions and commands. Check out the available apps and programs, how they work, and where all your saved files go. Then, explore your school’s website as well as their online portal, if they have one. Try signing in and out of it and see if you’re having any trouble. Figure out how to access your classes, homework, and the discussion boards. If there is a separate page for things like extra resources or even tech support, check around to see if you can easily access those as well. If you’re having any trouble getting to any of those pages, shoot your school administration an email so they can remedy the problem right away.
Tip #2 Communicate Clearly
One of the most important things to remember when taking online classes for junior high or online classes for senior high is that you should always communicate with your teacher and your classmates. Unlike a traditional classroom set-up, you won’t really have the chance to physically meet with your teachers or classmates. You also won’t be following a traditional 7 am – 3 pm fixed schedule. If you’re having trouble keeping up with your lessons or won’t be available for a group project, you’ll need to be proactive about telling your teacher or peers about this. How successful you will be in online junior or senior high will heavily depend on you.
Tip #3 Use Virtual Tools to Collaborate
The last tip you should remember about effective online learning is to make the most of the virtual tools you have! Your school will, without a doubt, have spent a lot of time, money, and resources creating their own virtual tools to make your online learning journey as easy and smooth as possible. These will include things such as video conference rooms you can use to stay connected with both teachers and classmates, collaboration channels or chat rooms where students and teachers can exchange ideas, message boards where students can talk about random topics, personal emails which you can use to correspond with your teachers, and so on.
On top of helping you stay on track with your studies, these virtual tools can help you connect with your peers, helping keep your mental health in check. Something we need to keep an eye on, especially during an uncertain time like a pandemic.
