February 16, 2021 Colleges, Learning Techniques, Preparation Strategies, Private Tutoring, Raising Awareness, Strategies 0

7 Need-to-know Tips for Online Learning

2020 started a new wave of online learning that most students and teachers had not been exposed to before. The online/Zoom learning curve was difficult for a lot of people. On the other hand though, some people actually preferred it. From the way things are panning out with COVID, there is talk of classes never returning to normal.

Ditching the pen and paper, though, is not as easy as it sounds. Millennials and Gen Z have the advantage, but that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone is a computer whiz. We’ve compiled 7 tips that will greatly benefit your online learning experience and ensure a pleasant experience that is as close to the classroom as it can be.

1. Plan out your week’s schedule on Sunday

When learning in an online environment, it is so easy to let assignments slip your mind. There is no teacher standing in front of you holding their hand out for your homework anymore. If you write down everything that’s due for the week in a planner or calendar in advance, it is harder to forget! Don’t forget to include blocks of time when you know you will need to study, not just when something is due.

2. Manage your time wisely

It can be easy to take advantage of the lax schedule that comes with online classes, especially when the Zoom meetings aren’t always mandatory. If you have a schedule made up and you stick to it, you shouldn’t have any trouble staying on track. But, if you take the free schedule for granted, you will find yourself stuck in a deep hole of work that will be hard to dig yourself out of.

3. Give yourself a break when you need it

There is nothing better than being “in the zone” and being able to bang out a bunch of studying and homework! But allow your body and brain a break every now and then. It is important to get up and eat, walk around, or stretch in between classes and work.

4. Don’t try to multitask

We are all guilty of thinking that we can do our math homework and watch Netflix at the same time. Just don’t do it! You will retain the knowledge much quicker without the distractions in your head

5. Ask for help!

Online learning can make you feel like you are teaching yourself sometimes, but it doesn’t have to feel that way. Reaching out to teachers and professors will benefit them just as much as it does you. They like to know how their students are grasping the material since they can’t see it for themselves. Also, GroupMe and other messaging websites/apps can connect you to your classmates for the purpose of asking class-related questions.

6. YouTube is your best friend

You can find almost anything on YouTube – from how to change a tire, to how to solve 5×2(890*305/67) + 93850(3x+45) =45 (I just made that up but I’m almost certain you could find a YouTube video to help you solve it). Don’t be scared to look up something you need a little extra help with. If you can’t find it on YouTube, there are other websites like edX and Khan Academy to help.

7. Help your tired eyes

Blue light glasses have been proven to significantly decrease the strain on your eyes when staring at your computer all day. You can find a pair of these anywhere online, and it is a guarantee that you’ll notice a significant difference in the way your eyes feel after a day looking at your screens.

At the end of the day, if you’re still having trouble, there is no harm in reaching out for a little extra help. Miles Smart Tutoring can help you. We offer nationwide online and in-person tutoring services for any student that needs a bit more support in the classroom. If you’re interested in hearing more or would like to set up a tutoring consultation, you can visit www.milessmarttutoring.com or call (813) 238-3036.