As we settle into the new realities of e-learning this fall, your teen may be struggling with learning from home (as well as you!). Spending hours in front of a computer screen can be tiring and make it hard to focus and you wish you had a box of tricks to help your child find success and create a more productive yet peaceful environment.
Check out these 4 easy-to-use, essential tips to help your teen build their own tool kit for success in e-learning and give you greater peace of mind:
- Set up an organized workstation with everything you need to minimize distractions
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- If your teen has everything they need organized at their desk or workstation, they can eliminate the distraction of getting up or spending time searching for items necessary for their school day. For example, make sure your teen has plenty of pens and pencils, a water bottle, a snack, chargers for their devices, and access to any other school supplies they may need.
- Take breaks away from the screen between classes and for meals.
- Taking classes online means sitting in front of a computer for most of the day. Make sure that your teen is taking breaks in between classes that give them time away from the screen, even if it’s just for a few minutes. One way to ensure some screen free time is to make sure your teen eats all their meals in the kitchen away from their computer or outside for some fresh air.
- Plan out your day. Give yourself a routine/schedule.
- Help your teen set a schedule. Following a routine like during a regular school year and scheduling out time for homework will help your teen stay organized and manage time. For example, waking up early, eating breakfast, and getting ready for school like a normal school day will help set the tone for your teen’s day. After classes, help your teen schedule time for homework and help them find a balance between school and rest!
- Don’t be afraid to contact your teachers.
- Building relationships with teachers is difficult from behind a screen, so make sure your teen stays in contact with teachers. Especially for juniors who will need teachers to write recommendation letters next year. Here are some ways your teen can stay in touch with teachers:
- Weekly email check-ins
- Participating in Zoom discussion or typing questions in the chat
- Contacting teachers with any questions about assignments
- Building relationships with teachers is difficult from behind a screen, so make sure your teen stays in contact with teachers. Especially for juniors who will need teachers to write recommendation letters next year. Here are some ways your teen can stay in touch with teachers:
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Remember to smile this week!
Moira ♥
*Moira Ritter is a junior at Georgetown University and looks forward to contributing her writing skills to Total Writing Enrichment this summer!