Tips for Students to Feel Less Isolated in Online Classes

You may not have ever imagined that your home would turn into your school or college. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, you all have to stay locked in your home, making it harder to concentrate on your studies. Thanks to the UK Academic Union which had urged the government to allow for online classes until Christmas. It is because the reopening of schools and colleges would lead to a surge in the COVID19 cases. However, all students and teaching staff will get tested for COVID19 before teaching gets underway, and it will be done repeatedly even after to make sure that the infection does not spread on campus. 

Well, it is hard to expect the customary education methods until the invisible threat becomes weaker. Since you have been studying online and will have to carry it on until the situation bounces back, it can be hard to get engaged. Teachers have contributed them all from providing you with the necessary study material to presenting an explicit and organized study material, building a learning community, preparing you for the online learning experience, and preventing isolation by improving their presence. 

Even though teachers have contributed significant effort to provide you with a better learning experience, most students are still feeling isolated. A majority of students are worried because they have funded their undergraduate and postgraduate courses with private student loans in the UK and cannot focus on their studies. Virtual classes do not seem to be worthwhile and engaging, thereby feeling as if lagged. 

Apart from students, some professionals are also enrolling in online classes to complete their certificate courses. The trend of virtual classes is not a new thing, nor will it end after COVID19 goes away. Since you are not a part of one-to-one classes, it can be challenging to stay focused. With the following methods, you can feel more connected to your university and your fellow students. 

1. Introduce a small twist to your study environment

When you are thrown into an environment other than your school or college, you will find it a bit uncomfortable. You will naturally feel distracted, and you will frequently use your mobile phones and social media. Studies have revealed that employees have been more productive during work from the home period when it comes to professional life. Likewise, you can study in a better way when you are home. Since there will be fewer distractions compared to schools and colleges, you can learn about concepts quickly. 

Many students are so acclimatized to their familiar environment that they do not find it comfortable to study at home. If this is the case, you should make your surroundings like that. 

2. For instance

If you had been completing your projects in the cafeteria with a few friends, you should be in touch with them through the internet when working on a project. When you do it, you will feel like you live in that environment and feel less isolated. 

3. Participate in forums

While studying at home, it is crucial to connect with your teachers and students. Not only does it break the monotony, but it also helps you stay updated. One of the best features of online classes is they run discussion forums where students can come together and post their inquiries. You can reply to those queries if you know the answer. Otherwise, teachers are there to help you. 

Participating in discussion forums is the best way to connect with others. Whenever you have a problem, you can post the query over there, and your fellow students or teachers will respond to them. Developing connections with your classmates through forums can help you understand the course material too. 

4. Connect with your teachers

If you study dedicatedly, you will come up with several doubts and queries. Email to your instructor. They will probably respond to you within 24 hours. It will show that you are taking your studies seriously and you are making the most of your time at home. Teachers feel happy while being asked doubts, so do not hesitate to ask if you have any problems. 

Further, be active when your instructor guides you through the class. Pay attention to what they say because you will need down the line whatever they tell you. Just because it is a virtual class, it does not mean you will not be attentive. Make sure that you do not miss an assessment activity. 

If you need any help whether it is related to login to the virtual class or other technical error, do not fight shy of asking for help. In amid of it, do not forget the most significant point – you must have a laptop that supports your virtual classes. 

If you have a laptop or desktop of an old model, buy the one that has all features to support online classes. Loans for students can fund your needs if you have a cash shortage that you can pay off in installments after you start your job.

Takeaway

You must keep yourself calm. You cannot control COVID-19, so you do not need to take stress about it. You do what you can do and let go of what you cannot do. You are not alone who are under such circumstances. 

Virtual classes do not imply that you will stick to your computer screen all the time. Try to do things that help manage stress. Eat a balanced diet. Try to be in touch with your friends on the phone. You will feel like you are a part of society and you are not alone.