In the midst of a trial, remember
“stars can’t shine without darkness.”
Life is made of ups and downs, mountain tops of accomplishments and valleys of struggle, but we continue moving forward. We persist because we believe things will get better. We hope that difficult situations will forge strength and character within us. Adversity brings the possibility for us to change and become better. Because of darkness, we get a chance to shine so that our light can be seen.
The pandemic and school campus closures have been a hardship for many. We at Future Sacramento are impressed by how our students have displayed grit, perseverance and the ability to adjust and pivot to meet the demands of distance learning.
To keep empowered for online learning, Future Sacramento recommends keeping in focus the following 5 S’s:
Space – Create a positive working environment, a space that makes you feel studious, energetic, and focused. You need a space that both stimulates and motivates but that does not pull attention away from your studies.
Sleep – Quality sleep is very important for both physical and mental health. Don’t take advantage of less structure and develop late night habits. Lack of sleep can affect you cognitively, which could negatively impact your school performance and participation. Create a daily structure that accommodates a healthy night sleep.
Schedule – Although online courses offer flexibility, consistency is an important success factor. It’s crucial to develop strong time-management skills to succeed in an online setting. A big part of online education, especially for asynchronous work, is managing your own time effectively.
Self Advocacy – Know how to ask for help. Taking advantage of access to your educators and support services. Recognize that teachers can’t as easily recognize students’ needs via online. Be an ACTIVE learner.
Set Goals – You need to set your own goals that compliment the deadlines and expectations of all of your professors and course schedules. Plan and track your goals by using the SMART criteria.
Specific – Measurable – Achievable – Realistic – Timely
By, Elizabeth Marlow
