Tips for Your Online Learning Experience

As many of us look to the start of a new school year, things aren't going to be the same. Many of the U.S. states are struggling with the growing numbers of Covid-19 cases. Leaving students to "indulge" in home-education. Luckily, I'm here to help with exactly that!

*Disclaimer*: These are all just suggestions! I am not trying to insist that they are correct or helpful. Everyone studies at their own pace and in different ways. Please keep that in mind, thank you!

In this article, I'd like to address the ways you can improve your: note taking, organization, and general use of time. In addition, online learning offers its students many opportunities for improvement. For all you high school students, I suggest looking into your nearby college/university. At this time, many community colleges and universities are offering free tutors to the public. College tutors will meet with you on Zoom (or any video option that's available for you).

For your own personal note taking, try pointing out or highlighting specific points your teacher made. Whether it's vocabulary or mathematical formulas, make sure you know them front and back! With the notes, use flashcard memory methods. Have your parents or a sibling run them over with you, it's better to practice with someone else. If your parents or siblings are unwilling, start an online study group! Now, some of you may not have complete access to the internet. If so, I suggest writing...a lot! Have a piece of paper or leftover notebook ready. Start categorizing your notebook with chapters and specifics for each portion of the class. Have a section for; phrases, historical figures, mathematical terms (etc.). These notes are going to become your most important possession so keep track of them! Online learners, use helpful websites, such as; Quizlet, Kahoot, Khan Academy, and so on.

Next up, we have organization. Perfect for your note-taking skills as well! Organization keeps your shelves clean and your mind on track. When preparing notes or study material, make sure your workspace in organized. No one likes to spend 20 minutes looking for their test study material. Trust me, I know. Which is why it is nice to have a simple binder or folder to keep all of that material in. I suggest having at least one binder for each of your core subjects; Math, Science, History, and Language Arts. Keep a small folder to use for all of your study material for a test. For example: you may have a language arts test coming up. You'll take out the important and necessary notes from your ELA (English Language Arts) binder that you know will be on the test, and put them in your little folder. Now you have a folder with all your test material to study ahead of time! As far as organization, that's fairly simple. I could give a longer explanation, but that'd be hypocritical of me (I'm disorganized).

Lastly, choose your study time wisely. I suggest studying for at least 20 minutes on each subject. When studying, study in the order for which your class schedule is. That way you're mentally on track and know what to expect next. Don't over study yourself! If you need a break it's okay. Sometimes days can be rough and we need a breather. Don't feel compelled to pull an all nighter. Your mental health is just as important as giving yourself time to breathe. Now, we all have distractions, but don't find yourself doom-scrolling on social media for 2 hours during your break. Distractions are the biggest time consumers, and are dangerous when it comes to studying. Use your time sparingly, but get it done.

That concludes this article! I hope I was able to help everyone figure out new ways to study and work hard this upcoming year! I wish everyone the best of luck and stay safe! #QuaranTeen#StudyOnline

Sincerely,

Ezekiel Moreno