In the past seven months, we have gone through a lot. Maybe in quarantine, you formed a better routine that you’re happy about and stuck to. Or, like me, you found it really difficult to find balance when it came to creating a schedule. Either way, since school started, it’s been hard to get back into the swing of things (to say the least) and remember daily practices that have been forgotten. Here is a guide to help you with any issues or roadblocks you may face or are already dealing with due to online school right now. I can reassure you, online school may not be what we expected, but it doesn’t have to be as dreadful as we make it out to be!

Find your “why”– Almost immediately when school started, I found it really difficult to stay motivated which eventually led to procrastination. Then a friend of mine told me to find my “why”, which is when you visualize yourself at your best and keep focused on what you are going to do in your power to make a great life for yourself. Find something that makes you want to wake up every morning or simply inspires you. I can reassure you that this tactic can really help you. 

Set timers – I know how it can be hard sometimes to stay focused while trying to work for long periods of time, so try out this technique! Write out everything that you need to do, and set a reasonable time to complete the task. For example, let’s say you have a math project to do. Instead of cramming, which leads to less focus, set a timer for 30 minutes and do as much work as possible. When the timer is up, take a 5-10 minute break and then set a timer for 30 minutes again. See how this may improve your working habits!

Have accountability partners- This might just be my favorite strategy when it comes to staying motivated and encouraged with online school. Find a person (could be a parent, family member, close friend, teacher, anyone at all) who is willing to help you stay on track with your assignments. In today’s world, it is so easy to be distracted from school or getting something done. If you have someone holding you accountable, that can make everything easier (and more fun!). For example, if you let your accountability partner know everything that you need to accomplish this week, they could call or text you randomly and say “Hey! Have you finished ______ yet? If not, do you need help? Let’s trail back and see the issues that are keeping you from succeeding” 

Plan out your day– This one goes without saying, it is super important to plan out your week so you can prepare for what is ahead. You don’t want something to randomly spring on you, right? Whether you have planners, reminders on your phone, a calendar, etc, make sure you know what your week is going to look like so that you know exactly what to expect. This is a simple and easy tool that you will not only need in highschool, but throughout your entire life! 

Do something that makes you happy – I am sure you’ve heard this before and are probably sick of it at this point, but hear me out! Yes, staying on task is crucial. Yes, doing your work and assignments are very important. With that being said, if you don’t take time for yourself and do some activities that are fun for you, all of that stress and anxiety will build up and it can be hard to control. Reading a book, watching an episode of your favorite series, and facetiming friends are just a couple of the things you can do that can help ease the feeling of being isolated or overwhelmed from school.