3 Ways to Make The Most of Virtual Learning
Are you experiencing the sense that you’re off-course doing school virtually from home? If so, you’re not alone! With classes and extracurriculars, fully online, many students feel lost or out of their element. I’m here to provide simple tips to succeed virtually. Here are three ways to make the most of Virtual Learning:
Stay Organized
The most important factor that has helped me stay on top of things while education is fully online has been staying organized. I took for granted the regularity that came with going to campus for class and meetings, it added a built-in schedule to my life. For that reason, I really struggled last year when everything switched to being online. I couldn’t seem to manage my time effectively until I intentionally created a regular schedule for myself. If you feel somewhat discombobulated, or even if you don’t, I encourage you to plan everything, and I mean everything! The three most important tools you’ll need for this are a calendar, a planner, and a study space. Start small by setting aside ten minutes each night to plan the upcoming day in your planner. That way, when you wake up in the morning you can go over the things you need to do and can make time in your day for these things. I would encourage you to keep your list smaller and manageable, rather than crazily unrealistic. Next, look at the bigger picture at the start of each week by making a rough list of things you want to accomplish that week. On your calendar, make a note of known due dates, test dates, and meeting times for the month, to give yourself an idea of what’s coming up. Create a study space where you can keep your calendar and planner, as well as where you can dedicate time to your work. Since we aren’t able to get in our “school headspace” on campus, it’s important to have an equivalent space at home that is dedicated solely to homework, studying, and activities of that nature.
Find Motivation
My next tip for thriving in an online learning environment is to find motivation. The two easiest ways to find motivation are by making time for things that inspire you and surrounding yourself with positivity. The fun thing about this is that it looks different for everyone! It’s vital to make time for the things that inspire you, whether that be journaling, listening to Ted Talks, or going for runs. My recent spout of inspiration has been sourced from the WIB Pinterest. Figure out what you enjoy doing, what keeps you going. A big part of success in online learning is being in a good headspace. Creating a positive atmosphere is always a breath of fresh air, but especially nowadays when the world can be stressful and unknown. Surrounding yourself with positive energy in your designated workspace can be as simple as pinning up motivational quotes and pictures that represent goals for the future. Once again, the WIB Pinterest is a great place to look for this (Seriously, check it out!). Doing this will provide that extra push that you may need when progress feels intangible and minute. On a larger scale, I think it’s important to evaluate the people and things in your life that bring you positivity and inspire you to grow as well. My way of acknowledging this was by getting more involved in WIB, whose members never fail to encourage me professionally and personally. It could be time to cut out those that are holding you back, and spend more time in environments (like WIB) that help you flourish!
Participate and Get Involved
For me, the most confusing aspect that came with the switch to virtual learning was trying to figure out everything alone. It wasn’t until I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to participate and get involved, that I started seeing results. Two ways to virtually make this change are to participate in your online classes and get involved with student organizations. Participating in zoom class can sound daunting, but in reality, is simple and convenient! Utilizing the chatbox, participating in online discussions about class, and unmuting yourself for clarifying questions can make a world of difference to stay on top of your courses. It’s a good idea to find peers to form virtual study groups, that way you have people to reach out to whenever you feel disconnected from your studies. No to mention, you can keep each other accountable. Next, join student organizations to encompass yourself among peers with the same interests and goals as you. Check out our blog post that talks about the many benefits of student organizations and for a full list of clubs at SDSU! Just remember, everyone’s in the same boat as you are!
By Zoe Sri
