By: A’Breya Young

Well, CoronaVirus did it again. You’d think that sitting behind a screen is better than actually going to school. But, I guess we were wrong. I mean, It’s hard enough resisting the urge to throw my computer out the window and give the creator of Google Meet a piece of my mind. If there is the slightest chance that I have to learn online next semester, I’m going to need some prayer and study tips. Lucky for you, Heritage Herald readers, I have a guide that will help your GPA go up while your stress levels go down. 

Make a Study Plan

Taking multiple courses requires individuals to dedicate a certain amount of time to each class. One great tool that helps students stay organized is making a list or study plan. If students aim to learn how to manage their time, they can get more sleep as well. Now, you may be thinking, “great more work to do,” but in the end, you can catch those Zs and have the opportunity to dream about a world with virtual learning just a little longer. 

Find a Work Area

If you’re going to sit in one place for over three hours, I’d recommend choosing somewhere that is quiet and clean with minimal distractions. Additionally, when setting up a learning environment, you can establish a work routine to gain a sense of normalcy, which boosts productivity. Finding a good workspace also requires individuals to be organized. You can make sure you have everything you need by preparing for your class ahead of time, and fortunately, this can prevent missing any instructional time. I work better sitting at my desk in my room and always making sure I have the following:

• Class notebooks 
• Pencils, pens, and highlighters
• Textbooks 
• My notes from previous days
• Headphones

Connect with Other Students

Getting to know your classmates is a great way to make sure you’re on track and to help a friend stay on track. Create a discussion board or forum outside of the virtual classroom. You may be able to help them with something they’re struggling to understand; use each other’s strengths to help one another. Give each other assignments, such as making study guides for the study group, then compare answers in your next virtual study group session. Remember, it takes a village to fight this monster we call school.  

Eliminate Distractions

Working from home is a distraction in itself. You have access to the television, free reign to use our cellphones, no set lunchtime, video games, access to all websites, our beds, and so much more. Find a designated area to work and study in, where there are no distractions. Leave your cellphone in a different area so that you won’t be tempted to pick it up every time you hear that notification sound. Avoid working in your bedroom so that you won’t be tempted to take random naps. Try to set up a program on your laptop to block unnecessary websites. Maybe, fix yourself a bottle of water, and head outside to set up a study area on the patio. I’ve found that working outside provides a peaceful environment free of all distractions, and if I get mad, I can simply yell at the trees.