Middle school students enrolled in an online learning program will need as much, if not more, commitment and discipline than their peers in a traditional classroom. The flexibility and convenience offered by online middle schools set the ideal stage for learning academic and life skills, but students need to be disciplined, organized, and motivated to benefit the most.
Here are some actionable tips middle schoolers can use to excel in an online learning environment.
Create a Space for Productive Learning
Studying from a slouched position on the bed or sofa while streaming Netflix or YouTube videos isn’t ideal if students want to be productive and achieve academic success. The first step in online learning success is to find a distraction-free area in the home (away from family activities, TV, noise, etc.) where students can establish their study zone.
Adequate light (preferably natural, if possible), a comfortable table and chair, and nearby shelves or cabinets to store learning materials can make the space perfect to focus on study. The chosen space should ideally be free from common distractions. Letting family members know one’s study routine can minimize noise and other distractions that could otherwise disrupt online learning.
Having everything necessary nearby and on hand for online classes, such as a laptop or tablet, pen/pencil, notebook, printed materials, additional resources, etc., can help students avoid getting up every now and then to fetch them. The key is to create a dedicated learning space where students can focus on their lessons without distractions and interruptions.
Set Academic Goals
Goal-setting and following through is an important element in online learning. Setting academic goals and deadlines encourages students to focus on what they are trying to achieve. Be it finishing specific chapters, revising the lessons learned, preparing for a mock test, or submitting coursework, setting SMART goals (that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) can help students stay on track and be accountable.
Based on what they want to achieve academically in the short- and long-term, students can write down their SMART goals and put them where they can be seen often. This will keep them motivated. Self rewards for achieving success and celebrating the grit and hard work that has gone into the preparation, even when the results or scores don’t reflect it fully, are equally crucial.
Establish a Routine
Setting academic goals is of no use if students don’t have a roadmap to achieve them. With a routine, they can give themselves a roadmap to follow. A significant benefit of online middle schools is offering students easy access to course materials from anywhere and at any time to facilitate self-paced study. But without establishing a routine, procrastination may set in. As things pile up, dealing with them could become stressful. The solution is to set a routine and stick to it from the start.
Students could go old-school with pen and paper to create a routine or use online tools for the job. Establishing a routine should involve earmarking specific times for school work, meals, and rest to maintain a structure throughout the day. It might take some trial and error before students can find a routine that fits their academic goals and lifestyle.
Adhering to a consistent daily routine will help students learn discipline and time management while fostering a sense of stability. Creating their own routines will also give them a sense of ownership of their learning, which can help them stay motivated.
Learn and Apply Time Management
Time management isn’t just about creating a routine and sticking to it. It’s how students plan and exercise conscious control of time spent on specific activities. Efficient time management covers academic work along with social life, family, hobbies, and personal interests.
Students can seek help from their teachers, learning coaches, or success coaches to create a weekly or monthly calendar where they set aside time blocks for various activities. They could even use online tools to create it. The key is to prioritize and list various activities and assign specific time blocks to them.
From reading comprehensive lessons, watching recorded video lectures, and finding additional resources, if necessary, to doing the coursework and submitting it by the deadline, a weekly or monthly calendar should have time for them all. Additionally, it should have time blocks for daily chores, rest, family time, play session with friends, and hobbies.
Striking a balance is the essence of time management and once middle school students learn and implement time management strategies, they will experience stress-free and smooth sailing.
Alignment of Learning Style with the Process of Learning
All middle school students don’t learn the same way. Some may prefer listening to the information while others could do well with images, graphs, maps, or charts. Some students could have an inclination towards hands-on learning where they prefer using physical activities or solutions (say, 3D models) to learn and solve problems in a hands-on manner.
Timing also plays a significant role in how students learn. While some may prefer the calm mornings to memorize their lessons, night owls may prefer to burn the midnight oil. Some others could prefer the afternoons or evenings to handle their most difficult assignments and coursework.
Students should know what type of learners they are and when they can concentrate the best. This will help them mold their learning to suit their learning style and preferred time. Consequently, they can grasp new concepts and lessons faster and remember them for long. Using study strategies that align with a student’s learning style makes the process engaging and interesting. When studying becomes fun, progress is faster and more effective.
Final Words
Success in online middle schools is based on hard work, discipline, rigorous practice, consistency, learning from the mistakes made, seeking help when required, and not giving up. To excel, students need to focus on creating a space for productive learning, setting academic goals, establishing a routine, learning and implementing time management strategies, and ensuring alignment of their learning style and preferable time with their learning process.
It helps when students are open to their parents checking in on them and sharing their progress and challenges, if any. This can alleviate stress and create a pleasant learning environment at home to give students the ideal foundation to build their academic prowess.
Ready to enroll in an online middle school? Follow the tips above and enjoying academic excellence will no longer be a distant dream!
