11 Tips for Students Taking Hybrid Classes This Fall
Many schools are starting with a hybrid format this fall, and chances are it’s the first time you’ll be attending school this way. Here are 11 tips for taking hybrid classes to help you prepare for the fall semester.
1. Remember it’s a learning process
Hybrid learning is new to you, and like any new skill, it will require practice. Between that and the added stress of the pandemic, the racial inequity in the country, and the economy, this semester will likely be difficult in a few ways. Be kind to yourself. Make time for self-care. Realize that it might not go perfectly right away, and that’s okay! Mistakes along the way are an opportunity for you to reevaluate and improve.
2. Figure out expectations
Some schools are planning on students all attending class at the same time, either by being in the building or logging on to Zoom. Others are planning on a couple of days at school, and the rest of the time will be yours to figure out. Others are letting teachers decide on a class-by-class basis. Find out what your school and teachers are doing as soon as possible so you can plan accordingly.
3. Familiarize yourself with the technology
Chances are you were using your school’s online resources before the pandemic — either that or you learned them really quickly when everything rushed online in the spring. Brush up on your knowledge of the platforms and websites and make sure you know where assignments are posted, what passwords you need to access everything, how to contact your teacher, and where you can find class materials.
4. Communicate with others
Be open with your classmates and teachers about any challenges you might have this year. Maybe you have trouble focusing on schoolwork at home, a slow internet connection, one laptop to share with your siblings, or difficulty with a topic you’re going to be learning about this year. Chances are others are having similar struggles, and communicating about this from the beginning will prevent misunderstandings down the road and make it easier for you to talk to your teacher.
5. Know when and how assignments are due
You’re used to keeping track of when things are due, but now you need to pay attention to how, too. Does your teacher want it uploaded to Google Classroom? Emailed to them? Handed in during your next in-person day? Keep your planner updated with all the information you need to submit the work, that way you won’t accidentally show up to class empty-handed or miss the deadline for uploading an assignment.
6. Check class and school updates frequently
You want to know of any changes to your teacher’s or school district’s plans as soon as possible. Check your email or other learning platform frequently, follow your school on social media, sign up for text alerts — whatever helps you stay in the loop. Some schools are grouping students into teams or pods to minimize the number of people they come into contact with. Connect with your classmates so you can reach them even if your school has to switch to completely online.
7. Stay ahead in your work
Things happen. Websites glitch, electricity goes out, WiFi gets finicky, laptops and phones malfunction, or you need to reach out to tech support for help. If you get your work done ahead of time, these issues become inconveniences rather than roadblocks. When planning your work, aim to finish and submit it a day or two earlier than needed in case something goes wrong.
8. Stay organized
This sounds basic, but there is so much going on in the world right now, and if you fall behind the challenge of catching up can be a lot mentally. Know where your class materials, notes, readings, and assignments and deadlines are — online or off. This might mean a planner, a to-do list on your phone, or an app like Egenda. If you’re using a lot of online materials, bookmark the pages or list the links to everything on one document. Find what works for you and stick with it, because knowing what you have to do is the first step.
9. Check your resources
Asking for help if you need it is critical. If you don’t have a laptop to work on, a WiFi connection at home, a secure source of food, or other challenges, reach out to your school or one of your teachers. Many districts are handing out laptops, sending out school buses to act as hotspots, and doing drive-thru meal pickup, so get in contact with somebody who can point you towards these resources.
10. Create a workspace
You’ll need a study space to focus on your schoolwork.This doesn’t necessarily have to be a desk in your room where you can shut the door and focus — if curling up in bed in your pj’s or at the kitchen table where snacks are on hand works better for you, great! Give yourself some time to figure out where you can be most productive. If you need to block out noise, try a study playlist, ambient noise tool like myNoise or Noises Online, or this YouTube channel filled with natural scenes and sounds.
11. Minimize distractions.
With so much of your schoolwork online, you’ve also got easy access to YouTube, Tiktok, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and on and on. If you know this will be a challenge for you, check out apps like Focus Mode, Block Apps, and Be Focused — they all have free versions. Blocksite and Cold Turkey are also free and can both be added to Chrome. If you’re on Android, check out the built-in Focus Mode to block notifications and prevent yourself from opening certain apps.
