Successful Stay at Home Student


A few months ago maybe you thought, "Yay, No School!". But now, it may not be all that you imagined it would be. You did it for a month or so before summer break but you're now ready to leave the house and see your friends. You may even realize that you miss your teachers! You may also realize that being around your family was much better in small doses. But... here we are and you may be a stay at home student for a while, especially if you're lucky enough to be in a school system that isn't making in-person school mandatory in the midst of a pandemic. 

What are some things that you can do to improve your success this semester? What can we learn from this and how can this adventure benefit us in the future? I want to talk about these things and see what we can come up with. I will start here with my own ideas and later I will incorporate the feedback that I get to maximize your success. 

Find a study/meeting spot 
Find a place that has good lighting, quiet enough to hear-think-read-write and is comfortable. You will be spending quite a bit of time here. Communicate to the family that this is your schooling space and that when you are in that space you are in session and out of service for family stuff. I hope you can get away with this because it will be vital to your success. If you are not able to find a spot like this in your home, consider using a space in the backyard, front yard, patio, a nearby park. You may have to get creative. Learning how to sit down and focus in your home will help you in the future. As an adult, I have had to study at home while caring for a small child. Now my child is grown but I still have plenty of interruptions and distractions if I allow them. I have learned to set timers and get focused in my quiet space. 

Set a Routine 
One of the most challenging aspects of this pandemic has been the disruption of our daily routine. We may have never realized how important this routine has been to our mental and physical health. Establishing a routine will help you flourish as a stay at home student. Wake up and go to bed at the same time. Once you find out your schedule for this semester, revolve your life around that. Incorporate some exercise like walking or riding your bike in this routine. I have seen families riding around the neighborhood for the first time, during this pandemic.  It's a time to enjoy being outdoors while staying safe. Your routine should also include regular meal times and rest - break away from the TV, phone, computer. Just relax and enjoy the moment, maybe find a new hobby or cook a meal for the family. 

Ask for Help Immediately
If you're confused about an assignment, stuck on a problem or something just doesn't make sense- use your resources. Your resources are other students, teachers, educational assistants, homework hotlines, etc... Please get help before you're too lost. Don't think you're being a bother. That is what we are all here for and chances are other people are also confused. You're helping them too. We are trained to help you and most importantly of all - we want to help you!

Take Breaks and POW (Protein, Oxygen and Water)
Stand up, shake it up, walk around, stretch it out. You get the idea. Your family will get used to it. Your body needs a break. I need a break at least every hour. I get up, get something to drink, stretch, roll my feet around on a tennis ball. I need to move constantly to be able to focus. I'm that person. I fidget, fidget, fidget. On the upside- I have read that fidgeting helps you pay attention, burn calories and relieve stress. POW! Protein, Oxygen and Water are the brains favorite fuels. Our brains are over 80% water and it loves protein snacks and oxygen flow. How do you get the oxygen flowing? Movement! Short walks, moving your legs, you know- fidget. 

Well, that's about it. Please share any ideas in the comments section. I would love to hear and incorporate them!


Comments

Post a Comment