Preparing For Upcoming Online Classes - Studycloud

As school supplies are beginning to show up on the shelves, we cannot ignore the fact that the upcoming school year is close! While the future is unknown, most schools are deciding whether or not to hold school remotely or on-campus. Even if you aren't learning in a physical classroom, you still can learn and be involved with online classes! As a rising senior in high school who has learned the pros and cons of online school, I’m here to give you some helpful tips for the upcoming school year!

Tip #1: Staying Organized

Organization is extremely important whether you are taking online classes or learning in-person at school. It helps up keep track of our personal and/or academic lives. For students, there are multiple methods to keep track of assignments and exams dates.

1. The Bullet Journal

For the past few years, bullet journals have been a popular way of planning. After watching multiple videos and reading articles about this trend, I officially started bullet journaling back in December 2019.

You may be wondering, what is a bullet journal? A bullet journal is a blank book (preferably with grids or dots to make straight lines) that is used to create a personalized planner. You can add in your own embellishments, theme, or keep it strictly as a planner. I consider myself a crafty person, and by using all of my art supplies, my bullet journal is full of color and stickers, but it also serves its main purpose, to be both a personal and academic planner. I will be adding a picture of my May monthly spread from my own bullet journal below.

2. To-Do Lists

If bullet journaling isn’t for you, another great method is to use a to-do list. This method is pretty self-explanatory. You can use a notepad, journal, calendar, sticky note, or simply a piece of blank paper. Another way to help your productivity is to create timetable to-do lists. Instead of only listing what you need to do for the day, set time blocks for each task. This is my favorite method when I’m not using my bullet journal. Following the timetable helps me finish all my tasks by the end of the day. For an example, see my own to-do lists below!

Tip #2: Communication

The saying, “communication is key” is true! Last semester, I found myself acting shy on Zoom, and I often wouldn’t ask questions or participate. I thought that sending an email would be easier so I wouldn’t have to talk in front of my classmates, but I quickly realized I was wrong. Teachers have busy schedules just like students, but with the COVID-19 pandemic and online school still so new, I wouldn’t always receive responses right away. This only made me more stressed!

As a person who doesn’t always like to speak up in class, I learned that for online school to work, I had to speak up during my daily Zooms. Emailing your teacher with questions is much more difficult than asking over Zoom. Since we may be continuing with online school, this is very important. This helps you become more outspoken, and this helps your teacher do their job… to teach and help you!

Tip #3: Take Online Classes That Interest You!

Is there anything that you’ve been wanting to learn more about, but didn’t have the time? Probably the only positive outcome from COVID-19 is that we have more time to try new things. This summer, I have taken three online classes from Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, and The Museum of Modern Art. I have been using the website, “Coursera.com” to take free online classes. Many prestigious universities are offering free courses due to the pandemic. There is a certificate you can purchase once you’ve completed a course, but I am learning for fun, not for the certificate. Because of this opportunity, I have learned more about writing, the COVID-19 pandemic, and about the history of famous art. Taking these classes has made me stay productive and motivated to learn, which is helping me prepare for an entire year of my school’s online classes. If you have time, I highly recommend taking one. It keeps your brain active, and you learn something new!