How To Overcome The Growing Pains Of Switching To An Online School

Students taking advantage of online learning have many advantages. They can work at their own pace, anytime, anywhere. However, there are some growing pains associated with adjusting to online school. Here are some tips to help students:

Communicate.  Online schools have life coaches, teachers, mentors, counselors, and administrators on staff to help students with everything from accessing curriculum to understanding assignments, setting goals, and dealing with social and emotional issues.  Students should be checking in daily with the members of their personal success team. They may need guidance with this at first. Parents can help by setting up group chats, or helping students write and send emails.  Remember, communication is key. Students work better when they don’t feel isolated.

Understand expectations.  Working at “your own pace” does not mean putting everything off until the end of the semester, or rushing through classes in the first two weeks. Most online schools have weekly expectations of time and progress. A reasonable expectation is for students to work and make progress in their curriculum for 5 hours each weekday. Students should check with their teachers to make sure they understand and meet those expectations.

Participate.  Working online can free students from social distractions at school. But students should not isolate themselves.  Learning centers and drop-in zones are an important part of some online schools. Students can take advantage of these to get in-person help with schoolwork and to meet other students. They should also continue to participate in their favorite activities and try some new ones as well. Online schools sometimes offer sports, clubs, and field trips. 

Participation with others, understanding expectations, and consistent communication can all help students to adjust and thrive in their new online school environment.