Creating a routine when school is at home
Shelly Humbach • April 14, 2020
Online classes or some modified version of schooling at home is the new reality for a large majority of students in the country. The coronavirus pandemic has created huge education adjustment for everyone involved – students, parents, and teachers. Many are now worried – especially juniors – about how this new version of school will impact your college admission prospects next year.
Before you get ahead of yourself, think of how can you stay focused and productive. It’s important to not only maintain your junior year grades, but to finish out with strong learning gains which set you up for success next year. Although you didn’t choose this home learning situation, use these school-from-home tips to make the most of your time.
1. Maintain your morning routine
– GET UP! Sure, it’s tempting to sleep until noon but you’ll be far better off if you stick with a schedule similar to what you had in school. Get up at the same time, get showered and dressed as you normally would, grab your breakfast and get started.
2. Create a work space
– Very little productivity comes from sitting on the couch or lying in bed. You need to find a work space to call your own - especially if your parents and siblings are also home too. Maybe it’s in your room, or at the dining table, or even in a closet. Find a space where you can sit upright in a comfortable chair, preferably the same space each day, and as free from distractions as possible.
3. Schedule breaks
– Well, maybe not recess but schedule breaks in your day to have a snack, go for a lap around your house, or just zone out. Just like time between classes, it’s important to take scheduled breaks throughout the day. Decide what works for you – work 45 minutes, take a 15 min break; or work for 1 hour, take a 30 min break. Also set a time for lunch. Stick to your schedule.
4. Have a stopping time
– Stop your school work at the same time each day, just like you were in school.
5. Take care of yourself
– These are ever changing and stressful circumstances which can take a toll on anyone. Practice small strategies for physical and mental health each day will help you ward off cabin fever. Get outside for a walk or other exercise (everyday if possible), stay connected with friends online, and plan to do something you enjoy each day. Maybe playing a video game, cooking a favorite food, or watching a new show, it’s nice to have something to look forward to after a day of work.
Take Action
You obviously didn't choose this situation and it is understandably will take some getting used to. School from home will inevitably be an adjustment. But maintaining a routine, staying in touch with teachers and classmates, and completing some school work each day will help you fight boredom and stay on track for when school resumes.
In June, I hosted my annual Senior Essay Writing Workshop. This was the first in-person workshop since 2019. I bet you can guess why. I was elated to meet my students face-to-face after months, even years, of connecting through the screen. Imagine my surprise at their height, super-smiles, and warm laughter. Dang, it was wonderful. So, essentially, all my in-state seniors gather at my house for a three-hour intensive workshop on crafting a killer college essay. As I was preparing for the event, it occurred to me that I might be in competition with their PHONE. Classic directness (this is probably a character flaw) led me to inform my students and their parents, in advance, that this would be a no-phone gathering. My messaging went something like this, Important: Phones are placed in a basket at the door and retrieved at noon. No exceptions. Parents: If you need to reach your student during the workshop, text me directly at **********. Now, I am fully on board with the phone-free movement. I support it, advocate for it, and live it (I brilliantly quit all personal media last November). And I thought: my event, my rules. I was a little concerned about how this announcement would land. Turns out my concern was mainly about the parents. The kids? Not so much. In fact, research indicates that students crave phone-free learning environments. Suffice to say, the workshop was a smashing success. Not a single student pushed back against the policy. One poor soul forgot to retrieve her phone and left it sitting all alone in the basket. Not to worry, though. She didn’t get far before turning back to grab it. Here’s the truth: We don’t have to bow down to every technological whim or societal pressure. As adults, we know the phone is a problem, and it’s our job to foster healthy, happy individuals. So let's keep this momentum going. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “When you know better, do better.”
I work with incredible colleagues; collaborative, smart and supportive. They make me better and I am deeply grateful. Every year, Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy of Big J Educational Consulting share invaluable information regarding college admissions. Their research is impeccable and accurate and provides crucial data to help students and families make informed college decisions. Read on, share broadly and give a shout out to these generous professionals! Early Decision and Regular Decision Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Domestic Undergraduate Need-Based and Merit Aid Class of 2028 In-State and Out-of-State Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Financial Aid for International Noncitizens Class of 2028 International Noncitizens Acceptance Rate and Yield Class of 2028 Percentage of Students Submitting SAT and ACT Scores Class of 2028 Athletic Divisions and Conferences (partial list) Class of 2028 - NEW! These charts are visual, interactive, and easy to use. They make it possible to instantly sort using any column's metrics and to easily compare subsets of colleges. They are free and can be accessed at www.bigjeducationalconsulting.com/resources . From Jennie and Jeff: We hope you find these resources helpful in your work guiding students. Please feel free to share them broadly as long as they remain in their original unedited form. Permission is not granted to those charging a fee for their distribution. If you find an error after cross-referencing with an institution's Common Data Set, please contact us at info@bigjconsult.com . Thank you!
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