The problems associated with online classes and how to get through them

Every student knows the hassle of studying online. They find it difficult to even consider it like their regular classes which used to take place in school, in a controlled environment. But with the Coronavirus, the world was brought to a halt, and all classes were then taken online. Students found it really impossible and difficult to work from home, so they got law essay writing help to get assignments written. In some countries of the world, schools have started to re-open, which is making the teachers and parents concerned as to how they will manage everything. The students will not be able to follow all the SOP's, especially younger children and college/university students who live in dorms. They cannot maintain a distance of 6ft all the time, and neither can they wear a mask all day every day. Taking these problems into consideration, a lot of schools have decided to opt for a hybrid model. Most lectures will be delivered online, while only a few of them will be held on campus. While this model is something a lot of parents can get behind, it has become an enormous struggle or students to learn via online classes.

The students find it difficult to concentrate during online lectures, and they lose their focus quite quickly. Not just that, but they cannot seem to find a routine which works well for them and will help them get right back on track like they used to be when they had to go to school. We fail to understand how huge this problem is because a lot of the older generation has never experienced this. We all used to go to campus and take our classes there and then spend the weeknights studying and weekends partying. While all this sounds okayish and doable to us, it is not for the students who have a lot to do. Significantly, the ones who have jobs or other responsibilities. They are the ones who are finding e-learning to be complicated. And since this virus doesn't plan on leaving any time soon, we need to identify the problems students are facing and then highlight them so they can make the upcoming semester fruitful for themselves.

Major problems faced by students in online classes:

• Time Management:

When we talk about E-learning, the first problem students have to face are issues related to time. They are unable to understand how to keep their school life and personal life separate since they are stuck at home. They cannot make time for classes, since the pressure to wake up early and get ready is not there. There are no worries about missing the bus or getting late on your commute, which makes the students oversleep. It also makes them go to bed late since they have this feeling of vacations, as they are in their homes. And once you are stuck in the house for a couple of months, you will find it difficult to distinguish between weekend and weekdays. That is what's happening to these kids as they are unable to understand when to wake up and when to take a class. It is just one massive mess. If you have this issue, make a schedule and then stick to it as it will help you be more punctual and aligned.

• Distractions:

Our homes are not made for studying for long. When students are at home studying, they find a lot of things distracting them and making them lose their focus from the subject matter at hand. If you have a quick look around the room you are in, you will find that there are your storybooks, your accessories, games, toys and electronic devices which you always used to associate with fun. Now sitting in the middle of all those distractions, you cannot ask anyone to study since that is a task which is near to impossible. If you do get distracted, on the weekend, try clearing out your room and removing all such stuff which makes you lose your focus. Try getting your desk in front of a wall, so you face nothing but a blank wall. It will be more convenient since there will be nothing to make you lose focus and trail away to your thoughts.

• Online classes are boring:

One thing we all need to consider is that online classes aren't fun. Mainly, because there is no human interaction, it is just the instructor delivering the lecture, and there is no class participation like it used to be when there were physical classes. It makes the students feel lethargic and sluggish since it is just one-way communication. Any query that they might have goes unanswered, or they type it in while the teacher is giving their lecture. The teacher then reads and answers. A situation where the student doesn’t even get the opportunity to explain their query is terrible, and it is not feasible in the long run.

• Motivation:

Since the students are not getting recognition for their work or participation, they are losing the motivation to work. Plus, all the lectures, assignments and quizzes are now being held online, which makes it easier for the students to get them done by others. Since no physical classes are going on right now, students can sleep or do whatever they want during course. It's not like they will have detention to go to later on. It makes it difficult for students to be motivated while learning. To overcome this issue, make sure you reward yourself on good behaviour. Save your sweet treats for times when you do well. It will condition your mind to stay motivated as it will associate treats with good behaviour.

• Lack of resources:

A lot of students do not even have the proper resources to study from home. In a house where there are three children, parents are finding it impossible to arrange new computers for everyone so they can all take their classes at the same time. Even the parents are working from home, which makes the internet slow while the house gets overcrowded. To avoid this issue, ask around and see if you can borrow someone’s spare phone or computer. Use it only for your classes, so you do not have to spend any extra money.

While working and studying from home is difficult, it is the need of the hour and is the only option for now. So, until things get better, buckle up and try making the best of this situation.

How to prepare yourself for online classes

The Coronavirus has shaken all of us, leaving us scared and confused. Everything has changed, and nothing is the same. While we are adjusting to all this by staying at homes and wearing a mask when going out, schools and offices are yet to open. Students have been studying at homes by taking online classes, and with the new semester, they seem to have lost their motivation. In the past, it wasn't like this as the teachers and students both were very excited about restarting school and meeting their friends and having something to do. But online classes do not have the same charm as regular classes did, which is why students are finding it much more challenging to concentrate on their studies.

Parents, of course, can only do so much since they are working from home as well. They cannot run after their kids forcing them to sit in front of the computer wide-eyed and attentive when they have tons to do. This has become a massive problem for both the parents and students as no one knows the right way to make things work out. The younger children are still somewhat motivated, but the student sin colleges and universities stay in their bed, join their class lecture, mark themselves present and go back to sleep. If you too have developed this habit and cannot shed it no matter how hard you try, then it's time that you implement the tips we shared below in this article. It will help you get everything sorted, and soon you will be able to study as you did before.

Tips to understand more and make the most out of online classes:

• Accountability Partner:

One of the reasons why students are finding it hard to stay active during an online class is that they aren't accountable. At school, if they got late, they wouldn't be allowed to enter the class, or they would be marked as absent. One also had to sit awake in class as sleeping would have resulted in detention. These consequences are absent in online classes which makes the students slack off. To avoid this from happening, ask your friends if they are suffering from the same thing. Choose one person who is, and make them your accountability partner while you become theirs. Every day before class, call them and ask them if they are awake and ready for class. They should do the same for you. Then swap your time tables so you can ask one another about the classes you had that day. Share notes as proof of your attentiveness during class. It will help you stay alert in class because you will have someone to ask you, which will keep you in check. If you are unable to find someone reliant who is willing to do all this, ask a sibling or even your parents.

• Designate your study area:

Suppose you have your room, great. Assign a corner of your room and treat it as your classroom. With online classes, it becomes challenging to create an environment like that of an educational institute. If your room is too distracting for you to study, then choose to sit in the lounge. Keep your books and notes there, along with your computer. Every day wake up before your class, have a good breakfast and take your seat at the area you allocated for yourself to study at. Once you are done for the day, pack up all your stuff and keep it in a backpack. You can then keep your backpack there or take it to your room again. This practice will make you feel like you are going to school and will give you some motivation.

• Treat it as a regular class:

Just because it is an online session, doesn't mean it is unimportant. You must attend. Make sure that when the teacher is teaching, you have the screen maximised, so it gives you the feeling of looking at the teacher. Remind yourself that it isn't allowed to sleep during the class, and you will be quizzed on everything being taught in this virtual class. You can even dress up, so it gives your mind the feeling of being back in class. If you are facing difficulty waking up in the morning, ask your friend or mum or sibling to wake you up. Since this change in routine has messed up your sleep schedule, try going to bed on time so you can wake up on time.

• Remove all distractions:

One thing that can end up shaking your concentration is distractions. If you are studying in your room or the lounge, make sure there are no distractions which will make you lose your focus. When attending a class, place your mobile far away from you so you won't be tempted to scroll pointlessly through it after every minute. Stay away from the TV and close all other tabs on your computer when attending the lecture, so you do not get side-tracked. Also, have a proper breakfast before your class; otherwise, the pangs of hunger won't let you concentrate on the work at hand.

• Make a schedule:

If this sounds too exhausting for you, the easiest way to get started is to make a schedule. A schedule will make you stay focused and will also guide you on what to do. Start with the time you need to wake up. Set the alarm for that time and remind your brain that you have to wake up. Once you make a pact to yourself before going to bed, your mind will automatically wake you up. Then check your schedule to see what classes you have that day and at what time. Sit through them after having breakfast and then finish al your assignments as per the time you set for yourself in the schedule. Follow the schedule and consider it as a manual of your life.

Despite this pandemic, there a lot of things that haven’t changed. You will be graded like you were in school, on how well you perform, which is why you have to work harder than before. Stay focused and attentive and remind yourself from time to time why you are doing all this. Look for that end goal which you want to achieve in life, and that will help you get right back on track. This new semester is a fresh start; make sure to use it wisely.