With the recent world events forcing students, teachers, businesses, and more to go into self-quarantine, many have taken to online platforms such as Zoom to continue business as usual. The reality is, most have never had to operate in a fully remote context.
While there are many benefits to this newfound “freedom” (i.e. waking up 5 minutes before work/class or sitting in your sweatpants all day in bed), with it comes a lot of learning and adjusting. Transition can be difficult and taxing, so we have created a helpful guide on how to make the transition to remote learning.
Tips to transition to remote instruction
Set up your schedule
- Daily review: What should you do first? Review your schedule. This allows you to set the pace for the day.
- Plan all elements of your day: Have everything on your schedule: wake up, morning routine, study time, assignment time, lunchtime, workout/break time, family time, etc.
- Color code: The brain loves pictures and colors. Write each task or theme in a color.
- Be flexible: Many students go overboard when making a schedule. Give yourself a fluid schedule that you can adjust depending on what you need and want to do for the day.
- List priorities: List your weekly priorities separate from your schedule in a planner or sticky note that you update frequently. This will help you remember what is coming, what you have completed, and what you are currently working on.
Remember to create a comfortable environment
- Space: Do you have a desk or table to set up a makeshift “school zone”? If so, ask. yourself: Do I need quiet or noise? Do I need natural sunlight? Does it bother me to have other people around when I try to work?
- Timing: Are you a morning person, work best in the afternoon, or thrive in the evenings? Know this about yourself when you create your schedule. Be kind to yourself and do course work when you are most alert and productive.
- Supplies: When you sit down to complete course work, bring everything you may need with you: books, computer, notebooks, headphones, water, coffee, tea, snacks, etc. That way you can have uninterrupted time with everything in reach.
- Noise: Do you need complete silence? Does TV distract you? Do you like music with or without lyrics? Part of creating an environment that works for you is controlling the noise around you (the best that you can!).
Feeling overwhelmed? Want some help?
Remember that the Academic Specialists in the Student Success Center would love to help! You can set up an appointment on starfish.northcentral.edu with Sophia Engelman or Lucas Sutter. They will call or Zoom video chat with you to answer your questions, help you get started, and cheer you on.
Just remember: this is all different! We believe in you. You got this!
Download a helpful infographic for your transition to remote learning below!