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LearningTranscript
00:00From the Electric Furry with Annie Man, we had an Auroradolph this wit.
00:09Moby!
00:12Did you change my background image to that Tiger Zoo documentary?
00:18I'm in the middle of class.
00:21You need a hobby.
00:24Dear Rita and Moby,
00:26I can't go to school in person right now, so I'll be learning remotely.
00:30I feel out of practice at it.
00:32Got any tips for me?
00:34Thanks, Carmen.
00:36Hey, Carmen.
00:38We've all been there.
00:40At the start of the coronavirus pandemic,
00:42everyone did remote or distance learning,
00:45staying home and doing our classwork from there.
00:48I remember for me, it felt a little like getting used to a new school.
00:52Luckily, there are lots of ways to make distance learning work.
00:56Uh, no.
00:58That's not staying up late,
01:01eating ice cream,
01:03and keeping your PJs on all day.
01:05Though that does sound tempting.
01:08But you're better off sticking to something like your regular school routine.
01:12Start with the basics.
01:14Go to sleep and get up at the same time every day.
01:17Eat nutritious meals and snacks.
01:19And get some exercise into your schedule.
01:22It's way easier to learn at home.
01:23It's way easier to learn when you're well-rested and healthy.
01:27Working from home, you'll still have classes and assignments.
01:31Lessons will probably be online,
01:33posted to a class site, in video chats, or through email.
01:37So don't forget to practice digital etiquette.
01:40Respecting everyone online just as you would in person.
01:44We've got a whole movie on that, so check it out to review.
01:47You may also need to brush up on certain skills.
01:50Like turning off your mic when you're not speaking, so you don't interrupt class.
01:55And managing your camera so you can see and connect to everyone.
01:59Which reminds me, make sure you're dressed for school, since everyone can see you too.
02:05You may also have packets of work to complete.
02:08What you won't have is a teacher standing there telling you when to do your work.
02:13You're gonna need to focus and motivate yourself.
02:17Which isn't always the easiest thing to do.
02:21There's sure to be some awkwardness and hiccups while you adjust.
02:25So cut yourself some slack. That goes for others too.
02:30Right. One big help is having a quiet, comfortable place to learn.
02:36If you can, set aside a spot just for work, like this desk.
02:41Store all your supplies there so you won't go looking for them and get distracted.
02:45When I sit here, my mind goes right into learning mode.
02:48Because this is where I work.
02:51And look, you may not have the perfect workspace.
02:54Especially if other people in your family are home too.
02:57So you may need to get a little creative.
03:01Like making your own quiet space any way you can.
03:05Flexibility is key. For both you and your teachers.
03:10So let them know if you're having issues attending class or completing assignments.
03:14They'll help you figure out a solution that works for both of you.
03:18No, that doesn't mean you should just do your work whenever.
03:22That's a recipe for putting it off till later and falling behind.
03:26Structuring your days will help you stay on top of things.
03:30Your school may assign you a schedule, or you might need to figure out one on your own.
03:34One approach is to divide your school hours into short chunks.
03:38Start by writing each of your major classes and assignments on a sticky note.
03:43Then, slot the items into each chunk. And don't forget lunch.
03:48Try to put stuff that requires major brain power early, when you're rested.
03:53The afternoon is better for quieter things, like independent reading.
03:57Yeah, even with a schedule, it can be tough to stay focused on work.
04:03If you're struggling with an assignment, re-read the directions to be clear on what's being asked of you.
04:09And if a project seems overwhelming, break it up into smaller parts.
04:12List out each step as a specific task, and decide how long each one should take.
04:19Then you can slot them into your schedule.
04:22Taking breaks during the day is important too. They let you rest and reset.
04:27So after each chunk of work, plan to take five.
04:31Walk around the block, play with a pet, or do some deep breathing.
04:35Sure, you'll probably need to adjust things as you go along.
04:39You may want to reach out to classmates to review assignments together.
04:43And don't be shy about contacting your teachers.
04:46They're just an email or video chat away, and believe it or not, they'd love to hear from you.
04:55Quit it!