Distanced Learning Tips

As many students are forced to transition into distanced learning, many kids find themselves stuck behind a screen.  In the United States, many schools have started the school year with remote learning, while others are starting with a hybrid of remote and in-person learning.  As cases continue to rise, most schools will probably stick with distanced learning.

After my first week of distanced learning, I discovered some great tips and tricks to maximize my distanced learning experience.  

1. Find a quiet spot in your house.  Designate this place as your study corner.  Finding a quiet place with no distractions can help you focus on your studies, helping you concentrate better.  
   
2. Find a desk to sit at.  Instead of sitting up in bed, find a desk to sit.  Wearing your PJs and staying in bed gives you a feeling of downtime and nap time.  By finding a desk to sit at while in class, you’ll be more focused and concentrated.  
   
3. If using a tablet, don’t place it flat on your desk.  When using Zoom, your teachers will only see your nostrils.  Not a pleasant view for your classmates and teachers.  
   
4. Prepare your camera with a test Zoom. One mistake that most students make is that they don’t do a test Zoom before they enter their official classroom Zoom.  However, many kids may discover that they aren’t centered in the middle of the screen or their camera reveals a pile of dirty laundry that you’re too lazy to wash.  
   
5. Eat breakfast.  Many kids don’t eat breakfast before school starts.  If you don’t eat breakfast, you are more likely to get distracted.  If you’re trying to lose weight by skipping breakfast, skipping breakfast will not have an effect.  According to Time, skipping breakfast does not help you lose weight.
   
6. Have a bottle of water on your desk.  During Zoom meetings, it is extremely important to stay hydrated.  Placing a water bottle on your desk reminds you to stay hydrated and healthy.  
   
7. Take breaks.  In between Zoom meetings, taking breaks are super important.  Zoom burnout is real and will make you feel fatigue.  Walk around your house.  During lunch break, if you have time, walk the dog or take a brief walk outside.  
   
8. Do some exercise afterwards.  After sitting in a chair all day long, that isn’t very good for you.  Teenagers need to exercise daily for an hour.  While you may have gotten to walk around the hallways or play a game of basketball during lunch, you can’t do that anymore because of remote learning.  After the school day ends, go out for a walk.  I love to go biking, if the weather permits.  Biking is an easy and relaxing activity that can help you stay healthy.  
   

When school starts, be sure to exercise and stretch your legs in between Zoom calls.  Zoom burnout is real and exhaustion is never a good thing.  

-Jade

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