Research all NYC schools

Research Now

Tips to Ace Online Learning

October 19, 2020 Jacob Brucker

With the coronavirus pandemic ridding us of in-person learning this past spring and continuing to disrupt learning in this new school year, it is important that we adapt to this new period of online learning. While this is not ideal for us students, and most of us would much rather prefer learning in the classroom, there are ways that can make the best of it and perform at a high level that we normally would. Here are three tips to ace your online learning and still make the most of your experience. 


1. Manage Your Time Well 


While at home, some of us have more time on our hands than normal life. We are not in school nor doing activities or sports all day but living a more stagnant and passive lifestyle. This has gradually become our new normal, and it is easy to get lost in the void of time binge-watching shows or playing video games while sitting at home all day. With all this free time, however, it is critical that you prioritize school work before anything else. Make a schedule for your day. Plan out periods of free time and periods solely devoted to your schoolwork so that you are not distracted by anything else. Keep a checklist of all the academic assignments you need to complete for that day. Once you check all of them off, you will have more time to pursue your other passions. This schedule and checklist enabled me to stay on top of my work despite learning virtually. 


2. Stay Connected with Teachers and Students


At home, we students do not get much interactive learning, and it is easy to drift away from our teachers and fellow students because we are not physically with them. Yet, it is imperative to stay connected with them. If you have questions or concerns about assignments, take advantage of the extra help periods teachers offer or email them to set up a time to talk. If they are not available, call a fellow student and ask them for guidance. They can help push you in the right direction when you are struggling. Do not feel that you have to carry the burden yourself. If you try to do it all alone during this unpredictable and stressful time, it will be harder to succeed. Many of my classmates became ghosts at our virtual classes, and they were the ones whose grades suffered the most. Stay connected! 


3. Remain Active and Establish a Routine 


While not facing a global pandemic, we as students are used to a normal, active lifestyle, and many of us thrive in it. Even now, it is essential to stay busy because having too much free time can cause us to procrastinate, and our academic performance can suffer as a result. When I have more time on my hands, I often find myself pushing homework off and waiting until the last minute. But when I am busy, I get my homework done right away and move onto the next task. Though we are not physically active, we can remain mentally active by exploring online programs in areas of interest, joining an organization we are passionate about, and reading or researching subjects that intrigue us. Finding time to spend exercising and getting fresh air can also help reset the mind and allow us to focus better. If you can establish a routine where you remain active at home, you can succeed with learning online. 


With these steps, you should be on the right track to power through this challenging learning environment and even come out with skills that will help you during in-person instruction. Though it can be hard at times, know that you are not alone and that you are capable of achieving success even when separated from your teachers and fellow students. You got this.


Jacob Brucker is a senior at Xavier High School in NYC. He is an editor of the school newspaper Xavier Review, loves to spend time outdoors, and enjoys journalistic writing. 

Join to NYCMentors.org

Join today and have a high school mentor guide your child through their middle school years

Join Now

Other articles

  • img

    How to Write an Outstanding Essay for your High School admission process

    • February 21, 2023
    • David Romero

    The highschool admission process is very stressful. With all of its different required parts, the essay section of the application can be really overlooked. The essays are a chance for the admission officer’s to get an insight into who the applicant really is. Numerous people can have very similar transcripts, but a creative and charismatic essay will make an application stand out.

    Read More

  • img

    How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter and How to Pick the Right Candidate for the Job

    • February 12, 2023
    • Dean Domingo

    Recommendation letters are a key aspect of high school applications and are a great way to demonstrate your character and abilities from another perspective. While not mandatory in some schools, it’s highly encouraged and should be seen as a requirement. But, who do you ask for a recommendation letter? Choosing who to ask is very important and should be someone that has seen your growth as a student. Most schools usually require at least one recommendation letter from a core teacher (Math, Science, Social Studies, etc) and one letter from either another teacher, mentor, coach, or counselor. So after making a list of potential candidates take some time to consider a very important question. “Who knows you the most?”. If you choose a candidate that barely knows you, their letter may sound disingenuous and phony. So when selecting a recommender, you should consider someone who has had a significant impact on your life and should be someone who knows you both academically and personally and can attest to your abilities, interests, achievements, and growth.

    Read More

  • img

    Choosing a High School

    • January 21, 2023
    • Paris William Polatidis

    Oftentimes, one of the most difficult aspects of the high school admissions process is choosing the school you would like to attend. This makes sense, as picking a school requires a lot of critical thought and careful decision making. After all, you will have to attend the high school you end up choosing for the next four years of your life. This is why it is incredibly important to make sure that you have a fundamental understanding of what your high school offers.

    Read More

  • img

    When Should You Start Studying for the SHSAT?

    • January 15, 2023
    • Sereia Sarumida

    As the new year begins, 7th graders may want to start thinking about high school admissions. Many students apply to Specialized High Schools, NYC’s nine public high schools for “students who excel academically/artistically” (DOE Website). You can learn more about them here. Eight of these schools admit students based solely on the SHSAT Exam, an 180 minute competitive standardized test administered in the fall.

    Read More