One of the most challenging things students experience when switching educational methods and schools is transitioning from conventional to online schools. It’s not easy to suddenly take classes in your room, on a computer, phone, or tablet, and not follow the regimented routine you did your entire life. It’s challenging to not see your friends every day or participate in your regular sports and extracurricular activities.
We know that many students find this process difficult, as do their families. This is why we’re sharing some of our most effective tips and recommendations on making this transition period easier and more manageable, including:
1. Start by creating a schedule around classes at our online school in the UK
The first thing you need to do when switching from conventional to online school is creating a schedule you can follow. Your schedule should be centred around your class timings at our online school in the UK, and pencil in the rest of your commitments around that. You should still aim to lead a well-balanced routine and set times for all your daily activities as you would normally, for instance, waking up, getting dressed, having breakfast, taking classes, catching up on reading and assignments, having lunch, and so on. It greatly helps to maintain the same sense of regularity as you would for a typical school day, even if you’re doing it online.
A schedule will also help you decide what your day and week look like, and you can move things around more easily when you have prior notice.
2. Set up all the equipment you need for classes at our online British school
An important tip to remember for your own convenience and ease is that you should set up and upgrade all the equipment you need for classes at our online school in Cambridge. This includes your desktop or laptop, a steady internet connection, a working camera, microphone, headphones, and other must-haves. You should also ensure the setup is adequately lit up and free of noise and distractions.
Having the right tools and equipment is key to a stress-free study experience and helps you stay focused. It’s similar to shopping for school supplies at your conventional school each year, and you can take your time personalising the space to feel more comfortable and at ease.
3. Use a particular space or corner to take all your classes and study in
Building on what we said earlier, another key step in effectively completing the conventional to online school transition is having a designated space where you study, take classes, and do all school-related work.
A physically designated space allows you to create a corner in your home that is demarcated for all schoolwork, helping you draw boundaries between your educational and personal life more effectively. It’s very helpful for your mental health and allows you to separate work and play/rest areas, so it’s not only easier to get in the study zone but also to step out of it.
For instance, if you take classes at your desk, try to limit school supplies, books, and equipment to that space alone. If you study in a shared space within the home, find a way to create distance from your personal space. It really helps to have that balance in the long run.
4. Make time to be with your family and your friends to maintain normalcy
Initially, it may come as a shock or challenge to make time for friends and family, especially people you’re used to seeing every day at school or college. But you have to make an active effort to hang out with them, go out, find ways to connect that don’t involve school, and strive for a new sense of normalcy.
It will be difficult, your friendships will likely change, and you will notice a significant decline in how often you see each other but take things in stride. However, you can always find new ways to connect with each other, including texting, chatting online, using social media platforms, and dedicating weekends and holidays to spending time in person.
Friendships are an essential part of growing up and being well-adjusted, and parents should also encourage their children to meet their friends, connect with people of the same age group, and help their children through this difficult, often lonely time.
5. Strategically schedule or re-introduce non-academic extracurriculars
Another common challenge that many young students making the conventional to online school transition face is a disruption in their extracurriculars.
There’s no denying that an online British school such as ours allows you a lot more time to focus on hobbies and extracurricular activities that you enjoy, from music lessons to art to sports. However, many students may struggle to handle all of these different responsibilities and roles if they’re new to online school. The trick, then, is to be very strategic with your usual extracurriculars.
For example, if you usually play a sport every day after school, you can switch to evening training or weekends while you get the hang of things. If you engage in volunteer work during the week, see if you can cut back on your hours.
On the other hand, however, many students also find online schooling more liberating as it allows them to give their all to activities like sports which they can even pursue full-time.
6. Adhere to a study schedule outside of class times to catch up with all your work
An important aspect of your new learning routine and format is that you will need to make time outside of classes to catch up on work, too. Set aside specific times each day when you do your homework, coursework, and assignments or generally revise and study. This is the equivalent of studying at home after school hours, but now there’s more time in the day to plan ahead.
A clear study schedule gives you space to play other activities such as social events, sports training, and personal hobbies and downtime. You can play around with study hours to see what suits you best, as some students may prefer to revise materials before their next class, too.
You should also look into different learning styles and apply them to your free time. It’s the perfect opportunity to double down on what you learn in the classroom and kick it up a notch.
7. Don’t hesitate to ask parents, siblings, peers, or teachers for help
Everybody struggles, and it’s perfectly normal to feel a sense of helplessness or feel overwhelmed by all the changes happening. Whether you’re a student starting class at our online school in the UK or you’re a parent of one of our students, it’s okay to ask for help.
You can turn to the people around you for all kinds of support and assistance, including course materials, building better habits, and discussing the emotional and mental challenges that come with this conventional to online school transition. There will undoubtedly be a shift in your family dynamics and daily routine, your social life, your academic schedule, and more, which is why you should not hesitate to reach out to teachers, peers, and counsellors.
You might gain valuable insights and advice regarding your routine, get study advice and tips, and benefit immensely from what the people around you have to say.
8. Ease into it but participate in classes at our online school in the UK
To make online school feel more like your conventional educational environment, you need to treat it as such. Just because you’re tuning in from a computer and camera doesn’t make it any less of a serious educational space, and you must not be mistaken into thinking otherwise.
It’s daunting and nerve-wracking to talk in front of a group of strangers, but one of the best things you can do to make yourself comfortable is to participate in class. Ask your teachers questions, share insights and opinions, and don’t hesitate to express disagreement or talk about your course materials. This will help get you noticed, allow you to connect with your classmates and educators, and encourage you to participate even more.
If you’re nervous about asking questions during class, you can always email your instructors or take notes and follow up later. Find what method of communication works for you, explore different learning styles and which one applies to you, and tiptoe out of your comfort zone.
9. Use this opportunity to build key skills like self-regulation and time management
In this stage, where you’re getting used to a new learning environment, medium, and pace, you can develop your own strengths as an individual too.
Use the opportunity to take classes at our online school in Cambridge to develop and work on yourself. You can improve key skills such as self-regulation, self-directed learning, time management, and other valuable qualities that will benefit you in the long run.
Conventional schools are highly regimented and provide controlling environments that don’t allow students to fully explore their talents and potential, which can hinder their personal development, growth, and progress. Take this exciting opportunity to see what works for you, what your strengths are, and where you need to improve. It’s going to be challenging but so fulfiling.
Students need to possess different skills and build better habits if they want to thrive and not just survive in an online school, and here are some grade-saving habits that you can benefit from immensely.
Make the Right Choice for Your Child’s Future with Cambridge Home School Online
There’s no denying that the conventional to online school transition is a tough one and requires some getting used to, but you can rest assured that there’s no better decision than this. Online schools allow you to do so much more with your time, from socialising with friends to pursuing extracurriculars and activities.
Our British online school ensures that all our students, from primary prep school, up to IGCSEs and Sixth Form, can gain exposure, broaden their horizons, and explore the many benefits of online education to the fullest. Our diverse student body comes from all kinds of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and ages, hailing from the UK, parts of Europe, Central Asia, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East due to our unconventional structure and design.
If you, as a parent, or student, are interested in getting more details are all available on our website for those who are interested in enroling their children. We’re sharing the following resources from our website, so you can learn more about enrolment at Cambridge Home School Online:
- Admissions Process
- Term Dates
- Application Form
- Open Morning
- Scholarships & Bursaries
- Grades & Fees
- Online Reviews
Our online school in Cambridge is home to talented and highly-qualified faculty members holding MA/MSc/PhD degrees and years of experience. Our faculty, small classroom sizes, and flexible schedules are precisely what make the conventional to online school transition a lot smoother for new students.
Above all, however, our online school in Cambridge prioritises quality education, which is why our graduates are excelling in their careers, obtaining higher education degrees, and embracing all kinds of opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Not only do students at our online school in the UK maintain hobbies and interests, but they also excel in their coursework simultaneously, helping them become well-rounded, high-achieving professionals. Cambridge Home School Online believes in holistic development for all students, regardless of their age, location, or other factors.
Reach out to us at Cambridge Home School Online if you have any questions about the transition from conventional to online school, our classes, or other information that students or parents require.
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