Solutions to Common Challenges When Switching to Online School

Switching to online school offers exciting new ways to learn. It gives you more flexibility and the chance to study at your own pace, but also comes with a unique set of challenges. 

Without the familiar structure of a classroom, many students and parents find themselves navigating unexpected obstacles. Fortunately, with a few practical strategies, these challenges can be easily tackled.

In this guide, we’ll cover some solutions and tips for transitioning to online school with confidence.

1. Building a Productive Learning Environment

In a traditional school setting, you have a dedicated space for learning – classrooms, desks, a library, etc. You leave your house and go somewhere else to study which makes it easy to make the distinction in your mind between your living and learning environments. When you shift to online schooling, recreating that environment can be tricky. Now, you live and learn in the same space. 

But if you know how to set up a study space for online school it’ll be much easier to stay productive while studying at home. 

Create a Dedicated Study Space

Designate an area solely for schoolwork, free from distractions and clutter. It could be a small desk in your bedroom or a corner in the living room – whatever works best for you. 

The goal is to make this space a go-to zone for learning and assignments. Like going to school, this will help make the distinction clear in your mind of when you’re in study mode. 

Good lighting and ergonomic furniture can also make a huge difference. If possible, minimize noise distractions with tools like noise-canceling headphones or even a fan for white noise.

Set Up Tech Essentials

It’s easy to take reliable tech for granted when at school. When studying online from home, make sure your internet connection is steady and your device is ready for video classes, assignments, and online discussions. Keep all essential materials close by (think headphones, chargers, and notepads) so you won’t get distracted looking for them. 

Tip: If switching to an online charter school, double check to see what materials the school offers. At Summit Learning Charter, for example, we equip students with a device and students enrolled at the start of the year receive a $500 curriculum allowance.

2. Managing Time Effectively

At a traditional school, you have classes at the same time every day or week. This makes it easy to manage your time since you have to attend your classes at specified times. When studying online, time management can easily slip.

Staying organized is essential to balancing assignments, classes, and time for yourself. It’s not just about squeezing everything in your day but instead about learning to prioritize what’s most important and making time to watch all your lessons.

Related: Most Effective Study Tips for Virtual Students

Develop a Daily Schedule

A good schedule is the best way to manage your time effectively. 

Map out your day and create specific blocks for classes, assignments, and breaks. Learn what works best for you and develop your schedule around that. For example, some students feel more creative in the morning and benefit from scheduling their assignments and creative work at that time. 

Setting specific start and end times can help create a routine. You can use tools like Google Calendar or other planner and time management apps to organize your day. 

3. Staying Focused and Motivated

Staying focused during online classes isn’t always easy – we get it! You may have a hard time staying motivated, especially when your classes feel long or topics don’t interest you. But with the right methods and techniques you can learn how to stay focused in online classes.

Try Focus Techniques

The Pomodoro Technique is an example of a popular time management method. It’s when you focus your work in short blocks, typically 25 minutes long, followed by a 5-minute break. After four cycles, you take a long break. This method can help you stay focused and avoid burnout, but it’s just one of many other similar methods. Play around with different techniques to find what keeps you focused.

Prioritize Tasks and Break Down Assignments

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you have a lot of assignments that seem to demand your attention at once. You can overcome this by setting priorities. Make a list of what needs to get done first based on deadlines and project size. Then, break down big assignments into smaller, manageable parts. 

Tackling tasks piece by piece makes it easier to stay on track and helps in managing online school stress. Plus, you get that awesome feeling of accomplishment each time you check something off your list!

Time management tips like these will help you stay in control.

Reach Out for Support

Just because you’re learning independently doesn’t mean you’re on your own! 

If you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated, reach out to teachers, instructors, or classmates. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or clarification. Many online schools also have people who can support you and resources like tutoring centers, counseling services, and tech support that you can take advantage of. 

Remember that knowing when to ask for help is a skill in itself and can make a huge difference in your learning experience.

4. Engaging in Social and Collaborative Learning

Learning independently can be one of the most common challenges of learning online. Little things like classroom interactions, group work, and casual conversations can be hard to replicate virtually. But, you can still stay connected with your peers and build a support system while studying online. 

Use Video Chats and Discussion Boards

Make the most of your online school’s video chats and discussion boards. 

When in a video class, keep your camera on (if possible) to feel more present and engaged. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or share ideas. 

Discussion boards are great for ongoing conversations. Dive in, leave comments, and respond to your classmates. This keeps you connected and can help make online classes feel more like a community.

Join Online Study Groups

Joining or creating a study group is another excellent way to stay connected and can help in dealing with isolation. 

Studying together, even virtually, makes tackling assignments easier and helps build friendships. Study groups can also keep you accountable since you’re more likely to stay on task when you have friends to check in with.

5. Avoiding Digital Fatigue

When you’re learning online, it can be easy to spend too much time looking at a screen. This can lead to digital fatigue and eye strain. Two easy ways to avoid this are to take breaks from your screen and balance on- and off-screen studying.

Take Screen-Free Breaks

Make it a point to take regular breaks away from screens. 

You can use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This helps reduce eye strain. 

During breaks, try to move around. Stretch, do some light exercise, or get some fresh air. 

These small changes will help refresh your mind and body, making it easier to focus when you return to your studies.

Blend On- and Off-Screen Learning

Studying online includes plenty of work that doesn’t require looking at a screen, things like reading physical books, solving math problems by hand, or doing hands-on science experiments. Spreading out your video classes is a great way to avoid digital fatigue. 

Overcoming the Challenges of Learning Online

Studying online means greater freedom and flexibility but also requires you to find solutions to common online school challenges. With the strategies we’ve listed in this article, you’ll be equipped to set yourself up for success. Learning how to adapt to online school is a skill like any other and will take time, so be patient with yourself.

If you’re looking for an online school consider Summit Learning Charter. We’re a fully accredited, tuition-free online public school for grades K-12 and offer personalized learning strategies and resources tailored to each student’s needs. 

Reach out today to learn more about learning online with Summit Learning Charter!