The back-to-school season normally serves as a period of excitement: teachers prepare for the busy year ahead as students await all the new opportunities in store. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, events unraveled quite differently this school year. Feelings of anxiety and uncertainty bombarded teachers who were forced to transfer their curriculums to a virtual setting. Many students also had trouble accessing computers or had issues with internet connection. These problems merely marked the start of many associated with virtual learning. 

Nonetheless, online school is not as scary nor as confusing as it seems. With a few words of guidance, you’ll get the hang of virtual classes in no time!

1.  Familiarize yourself with your schedule. With the daily rotational A-E schedule, it is very easy to get confused and attend the wrong class. To spare yourself the trouble, fill in a calendar with all the classes you have each day. This will help you stay on track until you memorize your schedule.
2. Work on your assignments before the due date to avoid last-minute stress. I know how tempting it can be to complete all your work the day before it is due, but this habit is bound to make way for some sleepless nights. By managing your assignments as they come, all your work will be out of the way in no time!
3. Act as though you are actually in school. Participate in class! This is your chance to make a good first impression. Do not have your camera and mic off for the whole Zoom or Google Meets call. Don’t be afraid to ask questions either. Chances are, everyone is equally as confused, and you are actually doing the whole class a favor by asking.
4. Make the most of your breaks. All of us have a 45 minute built-in lunch period. Use this time to eat and move around a bit. 8 hours of continuous sitting at the computer is not healthy at all! Make sure to stretch between classes as well. During study halls and other free periods, go on a walk outside or simply within your house. Just make sure to take a break from all the screens once in a while!
5. Try to remain calm! This whole system is new to all of us, from the school board all the way to the parents of students. We have to work through problems as they arise and try to figure out what works best for everyone. With these words of advice in mind, we can make this school year better than any other!