Photo by Photo by August de Richelieu on Pexels
Written by: Aiya Rodjel
Another school year is upon us, and like last year, the first day of school is a little different this time around. Why? Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, students from kindergarten to college have pivoted to distance learning.
The numbers for the students enrolled this school year haven’t been formally announced yet. However, per Manila Bulletin, only 1.1 million students didn’t enroll in the previous school year. This includes elementary, middle school and high school students. This means that despite its many challenges, students are still pursuing their education. Distance learning has become the status quo nationwide, and people are trying their best to make things work.
Studying Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Distance learning
What is distance learning anyway? Well, Distance learning is a mix of online and other forms of education. According to Teacherph.com, this refers to a learning delivery modality where learning takes place between the teacher and the learners who are geographically remote from each other during instruction. The most common form of which is online learning.
Government’s mandate
Basically, students have been studying from home. This was mandated by the government for their safety, and of course, to stop the spread of the virus. This new form of learning has had challenges for everyone, including parents and teachers. However, it seems that this learning style will be the norm for the meantime.
That’s why people should just follow the safety measures recommended by the health department. Everyone should work together to ensure that students will get to maximize their learning experience even away from the classroom. It’s up to the students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders to help uphold the standards of learning. It takes a lot of work, but it’s possible to still learn even while at home. Here are Top 10 guide to follow to make the most out of school this 2021:
First Day of School Tips
Get dressed for class.
Before you log on to your online class, prepare yourself accordingly. Avoid wearing your pajamas or normal loungewear to give yourself a boost. Wearing school clothes or at least more formal attire will help you get in the right mindset for class. This way, you program yourself into thinking that you’re out of school once you change attire. It’s a simple yet effective way to psych yourself up for a full day of learning, and meeting new classmates. Plus, you’ll feel good about making the effort to look good as well.
You don’t have to go all out, and wear your school uniform. Something as simple as a jacket or a button down shirt can make a huge difference. You’ll be confident to face your virtual class with a little bit of effort.
Have a designated study space.
As much as possible, try not to study on your bed. It helps to have a study nook or area dedicated for your study sessions. It’ll help you stay focused on the tasks at hand. It will also help you set boundaries between school and home life. The study nook or workspace should be away from possible distractions. This means you should steer clear of the television, bed and other distractions.
You can even dress up or make an effort to make your study space look nice. This will motivate you to do more, and achieve your goals. While you can’t decorate your classroom or locker, at least you can spruce up where you study regularly. This will excite you as you go back-to-school shopping even online. This is a nice project that will help liven up your study area.
Study Tips for Better Focus
School supplies only, get rid of distractions.
The basic school supplies you need now starting your first day of school are smart devices and reliable unlimited internet. But while you need gadgets such as your computer and smartphone to study, you can at least try to get rid of possible distractions. This means resisting temptation to check social media or other websites not related to school. This could also mean staying away from your pet or other loud areas in your household.
It can be tempting to scroll on Instagram or TikTok when you’re in the middle of class.
If it’s essential that you have your gadgets with you, you can at least put them on silent. You can put your smartphone on ‘Do Not Disturb’ as well. There are mobile apps that can help you regulate or control your social media usage. It takes a little bit of self-control and practice, but the effort will be worth it.
Establish a study system.
Distance learning is different from going to school from 8 AM to 4 PM. A lot of students, especially high school and college students, are given modules or study guides. This means a lot of self-learning and literal homework. To motivate yourself to meet your deadlines, one of the most important study tips is to establish a system.
You can schedule the time allotted to a certain subject or topic. You can also time yourself to finish work tasks. By establishing a routine and having some sort of structure even at home, you’ll be motivated to achieve your goals. There are a lot of online productivity tools you can use to help you set up an effective system. It’ll also help if you have a calendar for all your deadlines so you’ll be able to see the bigger picture. Being organized is something you can use even after you’ve graduated.
Guides to Improve Your School Performance
Write down notes.
Writing down your insights in text with pen and paper makes you feel like you’re in a classroom. You’ll be able to memorize important information better. Plus, you’ll have notes to refer to when you’re reviewing for exams or a quiz. They’ll help you get the grades you want, regardless if you’re still on elementary school, middle school, or college level. Even if your online classes are recorded, it can be time consuming and boring to watch the teachers’ videos all over again. With your own notes, you can take down all the insights and information not on the textbook or study material. They’re also helpful for self testing.
It can be tempting to just rely on your smartphone or computer. However, writing down text as notes manually gives your hand something to do. It also gives you some sense of old normalcy. Just because you’re studying at home doesn’t mean you have to take away elements that remind you of the classroom.
Reward yourself.
If you’ve reached a goal or have finished a difficult school task, treat yourself. This could mean having some ice cream or watching a light movie after you’ve finished all your school things to do. You can even treat yourself to a nap if that would help you. By having a prize or treat as an incentive, you’ll be more motivated to do your best. You’ll also have small, achievable goals that make the whole learning process fun. Who doesn’t like being rewarded, right?
At the same time, you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself if you’ve hit a roadblock. Studying from home can be challenging. That’s why you should be kind to yourself and others as well. Dramatically changing how you live and study can be difficult. Remind yourself that you’re doing your best, and that’s all that matters.
Self-Care Tips for Your Child
Take breaks regularly.
While it’s important for you to stay focused while studying, you need to take breaks also. This one means more than your usual lunch. It can be dizzying to stare at a computer all day long after all. If you feel like you’re hitting a study slump, take one quick break. This means standing up and walking around for a while. It depends on your strategies. You can even take a power nap.
Taking small pocket breaks will help you get back in the zone. You’ll feel re-energized, and in turn, you’ll be able to deliver better quality work output. When you’re running out of ideas for a paper or you find yourself zoning out while reading some texts, just hit pause. Taking a little break might just be what you need to maximize your productivity. Plus, pausing and taking a break is good for your mental health.
Eat well to study well.
Did you know that the food you consume can impact your school performance? That’s why your home menu should steer clear or at least lessen the junk food component. You should also avoid soft drinks and other drinks with empty calories as well. These types of food and drinks make you feel lethargic. In turn, you won’t feel like performing your best in school.
Food is meant to fuel you, not drain you. Some delicious yet nutritious brain food include nuts, dark chocolate, leafy vegetables and eggs. It’s also a good idea to have some healthy snacks in your study area so you’re fueled while studying. It can be very difficult to concentrate on an empty stomach. Having some coffee can help you stay awake and focused, too. Just don’t overdo it or you might have a hard time sleeping.
Staying Social at Home
Communicate with others at home.
If you live with your family or relatives, talk to them about school. They can help quiz you for an upcoming test. They can also read your output, and give some suggestions for improvement. Studying at home doesn’t have to mean self-isolation. It can be helpful to voice out your feelings about class. If you work better while studying alone, you can ask them to be quiet so you can focus on school work.
It would also help if you talk to them about your school-related goals. They might even help you achieve your goals. Whether you’re looking for a study buddy or a soundboard for your feelings, it helps if you talk to people at home. This is a nice way to bond and build your relationship with them. They’ll have a better understanding of where you’re coming from when it comes to school.
Stay connected with school.
Just because you’re not physically together doesn’t mean you can’t socialize with your classmates and friends. You can keep in touch on social media, email or through messaging apps. Talking to another child or one of your friends at school about goings on will help you feel better, and make you feel less lonely as well. The more you interact, the better it gets for you.
It also helps to connect with your teacher. You can clarify courses or an assignment not clearly discussed. They can also provide you via chat or email useful electronic books or an article about the topics previously discussed. You can also ask about everything that you felt shy to raise during class.
Having good relationships with your classmates or friends will help when you’re tasked to work on group projects. You’ll have a better dynamic as well. Regular communication with your classmates makes you feel like you’re back in the classroom. It’s especially helpful because they understand what you’re going through. They’re going through the same challenges as well. You can even get some advice on how to manage your school work. The camaraderie will strengthen your bond, and going to a classroom physically will be much more exciting because you already have good relationships.
These top 10 study list are only some of the ways you can maximize your distance learning experience. While studying amid the COVID-19 pandemic is anything but easy, it’s important that you pursue your studies. With these study tips, you’ll be learning a whole lot better. Better study habits pave the way for success in school. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and someday, you’ll get back to the classroom. For now, it’s best that you make the most of what you have.
Ensure to get fast and unlimited internet.
One key tool every student should have for a successful back to school this year is fast and reliable internet connection. Through this, you can log on to your online class, and do your research, answer exams, monitor your study routine, connect with teachers, collaborate with classmates, and so much more. You can do almost everything you need online. One great supplier for fast and reliable internet is Streamtech.
Through Streamtech, you can enjoy fast fiber internet connection at an affordable price. Streamtech has made it possible for more Filipinos to maximize their productivity at a friendly rate. Plus, Streamtech offers a lot of value-added bundles so you can make the most out of your budget. Aside from fiber internet connection, Streamtech also offers packages that can help elevate your home connectivity.
Subscribe to Streamtech Fiber Internet now!
Your whole household can enjoy the great services of Streamtech through the Extendifi WiFi extender. For students, Streamtech offers the DigiClass package, which helps you with your online classes. Now, your first day of school this year will be better becuase you have a reliable internet connection plus useful devices. Discover why people are making the switch, and turning to Streamtech today. Contact us today to get started.
