Online School Success Tips!

It’s that time of year. Everyone is starting back to school. According to many studies I have read, including one by the United States Census Bureau, more students than ever are enrolled in traditional homeschool or in an online school.  

My son is now in high-school. We started an online academy the year he entered 3rd grade. This has been a great benefit to our family. I appreciate the flexibility it allows us. I know he is getting a quality education. It’s in our home, so if there is something we disagree with, we can talk about it right away. It allows me to be a part of his education, while still giving him a teacher he can report to that isn’t his mother. 

Through trial and error we have learned a lot over the past 6 years. Today I’m sharing tips with you that will hopefully help your student whether they are doing school at home all day or just for homework and study time.

Let’s talk about the space your student does their work in:

1. Designated Space
   Having a designated space that your child works in is important. This might be the dining room table, but it’s THE place that school work is done. Now, if my son has a book he is reading for school and wants to read it by the fire on a cold day, that’s just a home school perk! But for the most part, we have a designated desk area he uses. I know if he is up and about then school must be over.

2. Quiet Space
   We moved my son from the kitchen table to the desk nook. This was mostly because there was too much traffic in the kitchen. He needed a quiet place to work with as little distractions as possible.

3. Clear surface
   We keep a clear surface on his desk. He has a cabinet and drawer that he can keep his school supplies in. But a clear desk means less distractions.

4. Easy to tidy
   By keeping a clear desk, it makes it really easy for him to tidy his desk at the end of the school day. This is a routine to signify that he is has completed the day.

Tips for your student’s best productivity.

1. Clear daily goals
   Each Sunday night I sit down with my son and go over the upcoming week. What lessons does he need to complete? What longer projects need to be started? Let your student be a part of creating the schedule. This way they know exactly what they need to complete each day.

2. Clear start and end time
   We do our best to start and end each school day at the same time. Most days we finish before the day is supposed to end.
   We have a make up day each week. This is a great incentive to get as much done as possible during the allotted school time. But it also keeps your student from overworking each day. If you see you student isn’t finishing each day, it’s time to check out what they are doing during the time and what assignments they might be struggling with.

3. Morning routine
   A morning routing is important for me to start my day off right. We have a printed morning routine for our kids so they know exactly what they need to do each morning.

4. Eliminate distractions.
   My son uses his phone for his calculator and to listen to music during certain assignments. During the school year we prolong the Do Not Disturb feature on his phone until 2pm. (Normally it’s from 9pm to 9am.) We have set up this feature to also disable games and other forms of entertainment during this time. This keeps distractions at bay while allowing him to use his phone as he needs to.

I hope these tips help you set your student up for success! Is there something you would add here?