EVER since the scourge of Sars-CoV-2 started to turn our lives upside down and forced us into quarantine for almost a year now, most of our activities have shifted online. From shopping and paying the bills to doing business and work, the internet has kept us functioning in the safety of our homes.
The educational system has also taken advantage of the virtual world, taking note of the high risk of students getting sick if they were to go to school and attend their classes face to face. Some schools started their online classes as early as June 2020. And many schools started their second semester last week, January 2021, through the holding of full online classes.
As life goes on even with the continuing health crisis, online classes increase the levels of safety among students in the continuation of learning. But it has also met some criticism, what with the country’s ever so slow internet connection and many students’ lack of access to electronic gadgets. Apart from this, the Department of Health, in a recent newspaper article, noted that online classes may result in “feelings of isolation” to some students due to the lack of face-to-face interaction.
Nothing beats going to school and taking part in various learning activities together with the “physical presence” of classmates, friends and teachers. As another online semester hovers over many students, here are helpful tips on how to keep one’s sanity in the midst of online learning.
Stick to a schedule
Online learning can be overwhelming as tasks may come in bulk and you sometimes immediately lose focus and get overwhelmed. During your enrolment, you are furnished with a copy of your class schedule. Stick to it. Do not do tasks intended for another course at 9 a.m., when you are scheduled to attend a lecture of another course schedule for that specific time.
Take breaks
Schedule everything, including much-needed breaks. Take a breather, and when we mean “breather,” it’s taking some minutes off from the computer or mobile phone screen.
Video on
While attending your online lectures, seeing your classmates and teachers makes it more “realistic” than just staring at their profile photos. It makes you more socially connected with your peers in school.
Find time to exercise
Sitting in front of the computer for hours can be unhealthy. You may need to do some exercise while keeping yourself safe (better to stay away from gyms for now). Do some stretching during your breaks. On weekends, you could go brisk walking early in the morning or biking around the neighborhood, following health protocols, of course.
Talk to someone
This is where family comes in, and this may be true not just for online learners but also those who “work from home.” Open communication among family members gives the feeling of reassurance and support. The stress that might be caused by learning online should not affect family ties. And make sure you have each other’s back. Get in touch with friends by calling them. This way you get a sense of their presence just by listening to their voices.
Mind conditioning
If your brain has been “programmed” to the thought that nothing will come out good from a distant learning approach, then you will never pick up something valuable. If you think it is all just for the requirement, then each assignment and conference session will be burdensome. Clear your minds from all the negativity and think that this can be done and you can still get something valuable from learning online. Then you might find some enjoyment and fulfilment in it.