Introduction

The new school year is quickly approaching, and yours might have already arrived! This fall though, school looks a little different. The coronavirus pandemic has altered the way our society has to operate, including our academic institutions. Although some schools are still fully in-person, some have shifted to hybrid courses, or even completely virtual. Whether your classes are online or in-person, the pandemic presents new challenges that you’ll have to face this school year. Keep reading for some tips on navigating back to school during COVID. 

Photo by Andy Falconeron Unsplash

Back to school: In person challenges

Many schools have made the decision to bring their students back to campus this fall. It won’t be just back to school as normal, though. Schools that are operating in person have systems in place to ensure the safety of students and staff, including:

• Masks. Teachers and students are required to wear masks for either the whole day, or at certain times. Yes, masks are necessary for COVID protection, but they do pose a struggle. They can often become uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time, especially in the autumn heat. This could potentially interfere with students’ focus. Additionally, students with certain disabilities might run into problems with mask-wearing. Masks pose an issue to students who rely on lip-reading to communicate. 
• Social distancing. Many schools are implementing social distancing in classrooms. Classes are reducing the number of students to make sure they can physically distance desks and seats.

• Risk of exposure. Returning to campus heightens students’ risk of exposure. Protocols are only as effective as how rigidly people follow them. 

• Testing. Students may be required to undergo testing measures periodically, such as every few days or every week.

               Photo by Allieon Unsplash

Back to school: Virtual learning challenges

Institutions that have opted for all virtual learning face even more challenges. Virtual learning requires another level of responsibility than what many students and parents are used to.

• Organization. This is perhaps the biggest struggle with online school. Staying organized is crucial for success when your classes and assignments are not physically due in person. 

• Focus. Many students have a hard time staying focused when their work is online. Being in your own home provides a lot more opportunities for distraction, such as using your phone. It can be easy to become unfocused when using a laptop, such as browsing websites or social media on another tab during a Zoom meeting.

• Motivation. It’s often hard to find motivation when you’re working from home, too. Some people need to leave the home in order to be productive. 

• Mental health. Your home is generally a place that you want to feel relaxed and stress-free in. Having to turn it into a workspace can be tough on your mental health. It may start to feel like you never really stop working, because you never leave the place that you are working from. That can quickly start to feel draining and stressful.

• Communication/help with school. Not being able to ask your teacher for help in person is also a challenge. It’s not as easy to get clarification about an assignment, or test, and that can make it tougher to do well on them. 

Photo by The CEO Kidon Unsplash

 Tips for virtual school from home

1. Schedule your days as if you had to go to class. Designate a time for every class, and stick to that schedule. If you can stick to a routine it’ll help you get everything done in a timely manner. 
2. Stay organized! I suggest getting a whole year calendar and writing in every due date and test date for the year. Get it down at the beginning so you can refer back to it easily. This will make it less likely that you miss assignments!
3. Make sure to check all platforms. I have two school email addresses, and two online school platforms. Although this is inconvenient, it’s still up to you to stay updated on all of them. Sometimes I set reminders on my phone to check each email daily. 
4. Take time for breaks. Working from home likely means you are in the same spot for the whole day. You don’t have to get up to walk across campus when your class is on the computer! Not moving, and staring at a screen all day is energy draining. Make time for breaks and do something relaxing- get up and go for a quick walk, or move to a different spot and sit for a little while. Taking breaks actually is a good way to be more productive! Recharge during a quick break, and you’re likely to be more focused when you return to work. 
5. Mental health checks. Like I mentioned earlier, having one setting for school and work can be tough on your mental health. My suggestion for this is to set a time every evening that you stop doing school work, and dedicate that time to self-care. Wind down, enjoy your dinner, read a book, start journaling, or watch a show. You have to set boundaries for yourself when your work is your home- or else you might start to feel like work is your whole life. 
6. Blue light glasses are a great way to protect your eyes from the light that our screens emit. The blue light from your computer or phone screen has the potential to damage your eyes, and affect your sleeping patterns. It’s inevitable that you’ll be staring at your screen a lot, so ordering a pair might be a good idea.

Conclusion

Given the coronavirus pandemic, your new school year is bound to have some changes. Whether these changes are big or small, it’s important to stay responsible, updated, and aware of all that you should expect for school during COVID. 

Although you might experience more struggles than you are used to with school, it’s possible to have a successful year! Everyone is going through the same thing for the first time, so having grace and patience is necessary during these times. Good luck with your year!

Written by Grace Haass, blogger at Safe Harbor International Ministries. For more articles, check out our blog page at https://safeharborim.com/articles/