With COVID-19 still running rampant, a lot of people are having to adjust how they do things, including school. From elementary students to graduate students, people are struggling to figure out an entirely new way to learn. Distance learning is becoming the new normal, and it will take some time to learn how to adjust to online classes.
I know it can be incredibly difficult. Online learning requires an entirely different set of skills than in-class learning. Throughout my college experience, I did a lot of online classes, because, for me, it is one of my favorite ways to learn. I am a solitary learner, who enjoys this method of teaching. I also was in a major that took up a lot of my time, so I had to shift how and where I completed my general education courses.
So, trust me, I get it. I understand what this transition feels like, and I know how difficult it can make school. If I can offer up even a couple of tips and tricks that can help in figuring out how to adjust to online classes, I will.
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This information has been reviewed and updated in January 2022. Originally published July 21, 2020
What is Different Between Online Classes and In-Person Learning?
If you are walking into your first online class, you might be thinking, “how different can this actually be?” I mean, theoretically, the teacher is still there, teaching the class. The assignments are the same as the in-person classes. What can be so different?
Unfortunately, there are a lot of differences between online classes and in-person classes that might make it more difficult when learning online. Here are a few:
- The professor is not in the same room: I mean, duh right? Even though this is obvious, it is a whole other level of learning when the teacher is not in the same room as you are. For many people, watching a video feed on a screen is associated with relaxing with some TV or watching your favorite Youtuber. It isn’t associated with learning, which requires a different level of attention. So listenting to a professor through a screen in much harder.
- Distractions are everywhere: You may not realize just how many distractions are around you until you start online school. You never had to worry about your cat walking across your keyboard during an in-person class, did you? So when you are learning how to adjust to online classes, dealing with those distractions becomes even worse.
- Everything is online: Again, obvious right? But with a lot of traditional schooling still being done with physical papers and materials, it can be a shock when you realize that everything is online. The notes, instructions for assignments, and more are all found on your computer screen. For some learners, this is really difficult.
There are many more differences that students face when learning to adjust to online classes. Being prepared for these differences will help in preparing for what is to come, and having the most success in this new method of learning.
Despite the major differences between online learning and in-person learning, they both have the same goal, the betterment of yourself and your understanding of the world. So reaching graduation is a huge achievement that everyone should be proud of and everyone should celebrate, no matter what phase of life you are in. Click here for anything and everything you might need to celebrate this achievement!
Tips & Tricks for How to Adjust to Online Classes
1. Accept that Learning is Uncomfortable
This is the first thing I want to make clear, learning usually doesn’t feel that great. It makes people anxious, unhappy, and uncomfortable. So, learning how to learn online will give you these same feelings, but amplified. You are learning how to learn differently. It is a lot. So don’t feel bad if you immediately feel like giving up, that’s normal.
It is important, however, to accept these feelings, instead of pushing them aside. Don’t think, “I just can’t learn online,” and change it to, “I am having difficulty doing school online, but I am learning new ways to absorb information.” It is important to accept that you won’t like the transition before you can start adapting to the situation.
You won’t be able to start figuring out how to adjust to online school and distance learning until you accept that it will be uncomfortable for a while.
2. Figure out Which Style Learner you are, and Lean Into It
This one may sound obvious, but you have to work towards your strengths, right? Are you an auditory learner? Use it! Like to learn through movement? Do it!
There are three main types of learners, visual, kinesthetic, and auditory. There are so many quizzes online that you can take to help you understand the best way for you to learn. This one, from Chegg, is a great one. These tests allow you to stop and think about what is most helpful for you when you are absorbing information.
Once you have figured out your learning style, you can begin to use your time more wisely when studying. Here are some ideas:
- Visual learner: Write/type out all information you need for a test or essay, so you can reference back, reread, and take in that information
- Auditory learner: Listen to pre-recorded lectures over and over again to receive the information. Or record your Zoom sessions on your phone so you can listen back to them.
- Kinesthetic learner: Create movements to go along with each piece of information you need to learn. Make it into a dance!
It is much easier to learn the information if you understand the best way you receive and take in that information.
3. Take Notes the Right Way
I am sure everyone knows that taking notes is an important tool for learning. There is a reason why we have been required to do this our entire education career, teachers weren’t just trying to keep us busy. Notes allow you to recall information you were told in class and revisit it at a later time when you are studying for exams and writing papers. This is just as important when learning online.
However, there are different types of notes, and different methods may be helpful for some and not for others. Although some students may be able to study off of big blocks of black ink full of information, most people find that overwhelming and intimidating. It is much more welcoming to open your notebook to study to find bold titles, boxes full of information, and a lot of colors.
You don’t even need a bunch of pens or highlighters. Only have a black or blue pen? That works too! Make important words bold, underlined, or in cursive. Fill boxes and circles with information that stands out. There are so many things you can do with notes. I recommend looking at Pinterest. Simply look up “note-taking ideas,” and you can find so many creative and interesting methods.
I would much rather study off the notes above than a massive page full of words. This is much more inviting.
4. Reward Yourself
This tip is my absolute favorite because you get treats along the way!
Studying is hard, and it is even harder when trying to learn how to adjust to online classes. You don’t have peers and teachers giving you validation for the work you do, and it can all seem a little pointless. I know motivation to do online school is significantly difficult to find. So you have to create it for yourself.
If you have a long paper to write or a big test to study for, give yourself something to look forward to at the end of the tunnel. It can be something big or small. Buy yourself a new book or a new candle. Get yourself your favorite food and eat it when you have finished your work, or while you work, or when you need a break. Or go smaller, eat a chocolate chip each time you finish a paragraph in your reading. Give yourself something to look forward to, so you can see the accomplishment you have made.
5. Utilize resources available to you
Your teacher/professor will give you PowerPoints, readings, guiding questions, and more. These are all fantastic resources, but they are far from the only thing available to you.
Youtube! Youtube is a FANTASTIC source, especially for visual and auditory learners, to conceptualize information written about in the text. There are so many amazing videos that help with small and large concepts. Need an overview of a topic, check out Crash Course! Want help breaking down specific math or science problems, check out Khan Academy (they also have an app)! These are just some of the big, well-known YouTube channels out there. There are so many individuals who have created helpful content, you just need to use the search bar!
The Internet! This one may be obvious, but I am telling you, you can find so much help from the internet. Sometimes, the way things are worded in classes or textbooks just doesn’t help. They don’t click in our minds. Lucky for us, there is this massive wealth of information from millions of sources on the Internet. Maybe one person will explain something in such a way that just clicks for you! Also, if you have a difficult math problem, just type it into google, you might find a solution or a similar problem so you can understand how the solution was found.
Check the bottom of this post for resources regarding distance learning. This website offers resources that can be used offline, for those who do not have constant access to the internet.
Your classmates! As an introvert, I know how unwilling I am to talk to my classmates, especially during distance learning. But they can be some of the best resources out there. So If your class has a discussion forum or slack channel, try reaching out to some other students! You might find that others have exactly the answers you need.
Your professor! If all else fails, ask your professor. Most teachers just want to help you succeed, so they are more than willing to answer any questions you have. Of course, there are the Negative Nellies out there who are not in teaching for the right reasons. But they are few and far between.
6. Create a Study Space
It is incredibly difficult to focus on your schoolwork when you are in an area that you usually sleep in, or play games in, or do anything that isn’t studying. Your mind will be ready for whatever other activity, and finding the motivation to start working will be like pulling teeth.
So, you need to find a space to study that fits your needs. Whether you need quiet, time alone, or a nice view, figure out what makes you the most comfortable and alert (so you don’t fall asleep) and make that your space. Always study here, and you will develop a habit, where your brain knows to turn on when you enter this space.
It is definitely a privilege to be able to have these spaces. If it is not possible for you to have a space separate for studying, find something to do before each study session that gets your mind right, like flipping the direction you are sitting on your bed, or using a specific sound that tells your brain it is time to learn.
Helpful hint, if you don’t like silence while studying, but can’t get to a coffee house or library because of Coronavirus, Youtube can help you with that too. Search “library ambiance” or “coffee house ambiance” and you will find hundreds of long videos you can study to.
7. Stay Organized!
One of the most important and most useful things you can do to keep track of the school work that online learning requires is by staying organized. Get a planner! Write down due dates! Set timers! Whatever you need to do in order to organize your time and your schoolwork is a must when it comes to distance learning.
Related: How to Use To-Do Lists to stay productive
Resources for underprivileged students
- The UNESCO website offers “Distance Learning Solutions,” which offers hundreds of sites in various categories for parents and teachers. Many of them are free, and some have “strong offline functionality” for those without constant internet access
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website has a page called “Find Meals for Kids when Schools are Closed,” which offers an interactive map to find places near you that are offering free meals to children who normally would receive them at school
Learning to learn a different way from what you are used to is difficult, and it will take some time to figure out how to adjust to online classes. I hope some of the tips offered in this post find you well and help in this move from the classroom to online. Good luck!
2 Comments
Maintaining your focus during online classes is really challenging, thank you for sharing a bunch of helpful tips.
It definitely is! Probably one of the hardest parts of digital learning!