ACING ONLINE CLASSES AMID COVID-19

In a widespread effort to limit the impact of COVID-19 almost all educational institutes have moved their classes online. If you are a college student studying remotely then you know that online classes have presented themselves with a unique set of challenges which all of us are trying to navigate through. Below, are some tips which might help you ace online classes during this Pandemic.

1) Treat them like Offline classes

It is easy to forget that online classes are as important as offline ones when you are sitting in your pyjamas in the comfort of your home, attending the classes through a computer screen with professors not there to tell you to “keep your phone down” or give you the stink eye when you are chatting with your friends mid-lecture. Some students also make the mistake of assuming that these classes will be less demanding or simpler than traditional in-person classes and it is very easy to develop bad work habits like dozing off to sleep with the professor explaining slides in the background or constantly falling behind on submissions.

The simplest solution to this, is Forming a routine, just like the one you have when attending lectures in a classroom. Get up at the same time each day, take a shower, get dressed, eat breakfast and then “go to class”. It might seem silly but one needs this self-discipline to be productive during an online class and it will bring a massive difference in your grades.

2) A Dedicated Study Space

It can be tempting to stay in bed and just open your laptop for a 7 am online class but this will result in a very unproductive class where you might even doze off. It is dangerous to mix a zone where you relax and a zone where you study because after a few weeks, they might start to blend together. So, just like you sit on the same seat in the same classroom for each lecture when attending a class physically, having a desk in a quiet corner of your house will help increase your focus drastically.

3) Reduce Distractions

Without a professor looking over your shoulder and telling you to “ put your phone down”, it is very easy to get distracted with social media, video games or other things. There is no shortage of distractions at home, be it your pet wanting your attention or your phone and it can be tough to eliminate these distractions entirely. So, in order to minimize these distractions and optimise your focus you should (1) find a quiet corner in your house where you can study in peace and (2) put your phone on silent or keep it in another room entirely.

4) Actively participate in classes

Interaction and discussion with your professor and peers will help you remain attentive throughout the class and also understand the topic better. In addition to this, you’ll also be able to develop a personal connection to your professor and fellow classmates, something that comes naturally during in-person classes but can feel forced during an online lecture. So, always try to be engaged and respond as much as you can

5) Form a Virtual Study Group

If you are someone who is used to studying in groups or just feel clueless in online classes sometimes, then forming virtual study groups over chat or over video conferencing is the perfect solution for you. Exchanging study material or having your friend explain a topic you didn’t understand in class will not only help increase your grades but also increase your motivation to study.

6) Take Notes

With all of the information available online, it can be tempting to just skip taking notes or to simply put the lecture on recording so you can refer to it later for homework or before an exam. While these are very helpful tools, you should still take notes as they ensure that you are thoroughly engaged with the material and also give you the ability to put what is being taught into your own words thus, boosting your comprehension and retention. The befits of note-taking are countless.

7) Setting a schedule

In online classes you are the only one holding yourself accountable. Losing track of all the tests, assignments and projects and getting overwhelmed by all of it right before the deadlines is something all of us are struggling with right now. Thus, it is absolutely crucial to set goals for yourself and to schedule and manage your time because it is very easy to procrastinate when you are studying online at home. So, always set a proper and effective schedule which you’ll be able to follow and which ensures that you attend all your online classes but still have time to catch up on assignments and projects well before the due date.

8) Stay optimistic

The truth is, students have been forced to take online classes amid the Covid-19 outbreak and most of us desperately want to go back to college where we can have fun with our friends and get the full college experience.

But in order to stay sane and motivated throughout this time of studying remotely, you have to remain optimistic and consider the benefits over the negatives.

"This too shall pass."