We are changing things up and going online. Teachers are learning new ways to deliver their content, and students are having to adjust to a new online environment for education. Online education introduces both new opportunities and new challenges, and it requires the adaptiveness and flexibility on the part of the student. Here are 5 ways that students can adapt to meet the demands of online education. 

#1 Mark out your time and space for study. 

Working, studying, and living in the same place can be a drag. This is because environments provide context for decisions. When you’re in a classroom, you have a very clear list of acceptable behavior. This limits the decisions that you have to think through. Should you take that phone call? Should you get up and make a sandwich? Not if you’re in a classroom. But when the classroom disappears, those decisions become, well, fuzzy. This can put a strain on attention and create decision fatigue. If you feel like you should be relaxing when you’re studying, and studying when you’re relaxing, you’ve fallen into this trap. 

The fix: Demarcate clear times and places for study. Mark in your calendar clear times that you will work on each of your classes. It would even be good to specify what times will be for listening to a lecture, what time will be for review, and what time for homework. Also, and this is just important, mark out clear times of rest and fun. Make it a reward for a hard day of work. You should do the same with space. Have a workstation. This provides a context that tells your brain it’s time to work. This has an added benefit: In studies related to learning a second language, scientists found that people could retain more information if they studied in a “language-learning corner” rather than spreading out their study in different locations. 

#2 Keep Up with Your Community 

You’re bound to miss the peer interaction of in-class education. Learning with others provides a lot of benefits. In the school year, many of these naturally happen due to proximity. In an online classroom, you have to be more intentional about interacting with others. Choose 2 - 3 students that you connect with, and let them know that they are going to be your sounding boards. Schedule time to meet with them online if need be, so you can chat about what you are learning in class. Send your assignments to them and get their take on your work. Remember that you are not alone and work with others to learn.   

#3 Activate Diffuse Thinking by Taking Breaks

Your brain has two modes: focused and diffuse thinking. In focused thinking, you intentionally work on a problem. In this mode, your brain uses what it consciously knows to be useful information in solving a certain problem. It draws heavily on the prefrontal cortex. But there’s another mode of thinking, diffuse thinking. This is when you let your mind wander when you are taking a walk or sitting quietly. This allows the brain to make connections in the wider regions of the brain. These connections help us learn. So how should you use this technique? In general, it’s recommended that you set a timer for about 25-30 minutes. After that, you should take a break to do something that you enjoy and will facilitate diffuse thinking. 

You need both modes of thinking to learn something deeply. When you are having trouble understanding something, you are not “giving up” by taking a break. Don’t feel bad about it. You are simply switching to a different kind of thinking. If you’ve pushed yourself to perplexity, you’re actually doing things right. So remember to take those breaks.  

#4 Be Healthy 

Learning is Bodily Activity. Your brain needs blood and oxygen just as much as your heart or fingertips, so you have to focus on your health. Being stuck inside can engender some bad habits, like being sedentary and eating junk food. You need to watch your health at this time by getting outside and watching what you eat. 

But you also have to watch your mental health as well. Fear kills the brain’s ability to learn, and there’s a lot of fear out there. Only love can cast out fear, so it’s important that you work into your schedule times to connect with God, to assure your soul and body that your hope and life are in the hands of a God who cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).   

#5 Give feedback to your teachers 

Teachers are having to adjust right along with you. It’s important that they know how effective they’re being as online teachers. If something works for you, let your teacher know. They’ll be encouraged to keep up that activity. Or if something doesn’t work, let them know. Let your teachers know what you need to succeed. Your teachers love you and pray for you, and they want the best for your education. They’ll appreciate the feedback.