Author: Strawberry

In my experience with online classes, staying organized and on task is important for success. A routine and making a to do list helps make sure that I’m getting the work done without feeling overwhelmed. Having a place to study where I can focus on my work and keep everything organized has really helped. It can be more helpful to find a spot to study in the library since there’s less distractions than a dorm room. I normally study during the day that’s most effective for me, so not in the morning or night because I wouldn’t get much done. It’s also important to not have distractions during class time. I put headphones on so I don’t have to hear any outside distractions while I’m watching the video or on a zoom. For online class I take notes on paper so I don’t have to switch tabs and it’s easier.  Turning off notifications and finding a quiet space really makes a difference in how well I can concentrate. 

While not everyone likes online classes, they can be pretty good if you manage your time well. Staying motivated can be hard sometimes because you’re not physically in front of a teacher and not motivated to do the work when it doesn’t seem like you have to. Avoiding procrastination is a must to stay on track and it can be very easy to get behind in an online class. Online classes can be good, and if you can stay on top of things, they can help more than an in person class. They can help more because some kids find it easier to go at their own pace and teach themselves, it can be more effective. It’s important to find a balance and stay focused in online classes.

Living in the dorms has advantages and disadvantages. Some of the pros that I know of are getting easier access to campus and academic resources. Living in the dorms also gives community and more social interaction so I can connect with my peers and be able to get more involved on campus. Like there are dorm activities and stuff to do in the dorm lounge.  I found that living in the dorms is also a good way to learn independence and time management. I’ve been using a planner to help me keep up with assignments and meetings. Dorm life is very convenient and I have found it to be good for me. 

But there can also be cons to dorm living, like the cost. It can be expensive to be able to live in the dorms. And also having a meal plan is expensive since we’re away from home and have to make sure we are eating well. Another is the limited personal space and privacy. I know I value the time I can have for myself and living with a roommate in a shared space makes it harder to have that time to be alone. The dorms can also get very noisy and since I live on the first floor right across the hall from the dorm lounge and right next to the stairs I especially hear all the noise all the time.

After graduating high school there have been many new responsibilities I’ve had to take on. Now that I’m away from home and on my own, life has been more independent. There are many pros to independence, for instance being able to get things done on my own time since there is more free time out of class compared to in high school.  Another pro is being able to do the schoolwork without someone monitoring me consistently and being able to plan out my own time for when I am able to get the work done. For me, I really value independence so I’ve really appreciated the new responsibilities and being able to do my own thing while still being responsible and on top of all my work. 

While there are many pros there can also be cons to new independence and becoming my own boss. Some cons are that sometimes we all get lazy or just unmotivated and without being pushed to do something I might not get certain things done or wait until the last minute to finish. Another con is pushing myself to do other things outside of just class which is also very important to do. And some days not being able to properly manage time and just not getting things done the day it should have gotten done.