Online learning started gaining momentum before the pandemic and has since become a permanent fixture in the academic landscape. It’s safe to say that remote learning has immense potential. The World Economic Forum (Weforum) reports an exponential growth in learner uptake over the pandemic period, with edtech investments reaching US$18,66 billion in 2019 worldwide. 

UCT Online High School, in partnership with the Valenture Institute, a leading ed-tech company, was created on the premise that online learning could broaden access to education countrywide. In support of this, Sanlam is the first corporate in South Africa to partner with the UCT Online High School by fully funding 90 learners’ tuition fees for the duration of their high school careers. 

To help learners, and guardians adjust to this new landscape, we chatted to UCT Online High School and asked them to share their top tips: 

1. Plan your week 

Set aside time at the beginning of each week to set goals for the week. Ensure that your weekly timetable is ready for action. Prioritise the subjects and due dates that need to be finished first and highlight the ones that’ll take the most time. Be as specific as possible (e.g., 09:00 – 09:50 Complete English Module 4).

2. Make visual reminders of your goals and priorities

Use a small whiteboard, chalkboard or pinboard and add creative visual reminders of your goals and priorities. Use post-it notes, cut-outs or brightly-coloured pens/markers; have fun with it! Not only will this help you stay focused, but you’ll also love cleaning your board or ticking off your to-do list at the end of the day or week when you’ve achieved what you set out to do.

3. Be an active participant

Distractedly nodding at your screen while WhatsApping is not going to cut it. Be present in class. Listen to what other students and your teacher are saying, and if you have a question, ask for clarification. Answer questions and get involved in whatever activities may arise. This will help you better understand and retain the course material. 

4. Stick to your plan and don’t multitask

In the digital era, it’s easy to think that multitasking equals getting more things done faster, but that is not true. Studies have shown that it can actually decrease your productivity and make you finish tasks slower. Focus on one thing. Once you are done, move on to the next one.

5. Set up a designated workspace 

Doing your assignment in front of the TV while Netflix plays in the background may seem like a fun idea, but you are only going to distract yourself.

Find yourself a straight-backed chair, a desk and a quiet space where you can concentrate. Setting up a regular workspace will also help you to stay organised and reduce the amount of time you spend looking around for notebooks.

6. Take meaningful breaks

As you would in a traditional school, it is important to schedule breaks. Ensure you take some time away (2 x 20-to-30-minute breaks) from your screen and schoolwork to rest and reset. This will help with feelings of frustration or stress. You’ll come back with fresh eyes and a clear mind to help you tackle the rest of your day.

7. Take a moment to move 

Set an alarm and get up every hour. Take 5 minutes to stand up and gently stretch your neck, back and legs. Studies have shown that getting up and moving around regularly helps stimulate blood flow and that in turn will help you concentrate and stay alert.

8. Hold yourself accountable

There are no detentions in an online school. Without a teacher sitting a few metres away from you reminding you to do your coursework, it can be very easy to start cutting corners. Don’t. 

Set weekly and daily reminders about what needs to be done and give yourself enough time to do it without flying into a last-minute panic. If you feel like you may need help holding yourself accountable, then try working together with a fellow classmate.

9. Practice time management

Online schooling allows a degree of flexibility that traditional schooling doesn’t and that can be very alluring. If, however, you are not diligent with how you spend your time, that flexibility can cause problems. Follow a schedule, take note of the due dates for major assignments, and set reminders for yourself. The better you get at this the more manageable you will find your coursework. 

10. Know when to reach out for help

If you need help, reach out to your Support Coach for guidance; that’s what they’re there for. Alternatively, get into contact with a Teacher, some classmates or even a fellow classmate and try to establish some kind of support structure. There is nothing wrong with struggling, but you do not have to do so alone.

11. Master online schooling

Take into account the number of days needed for marking to be completed for each subject’s Mastery Check. This way you can be prepared and work ahead on other subjects in the meantime. This way you’ll stay on pace with them, which will give you time to catch up with the other subjects once you receive your grade.

Find a balance between putting in the work, and getting the necessary time to rest.

12. Reward yourself

Rewarding yourself with something you enjoy doing can be a good way to keep yourself motivated. Whenever you’ve reached a milestone or accomplished what you’ve planned for a particular study session/day/week, reward yourself with something positive. 

Pick and choose the tips you would like to implement into your daily routine and watch your online high school career soar! 

Join UCT Online High School for only R2 095 per month. Enrolments for 2023 are now open. Set your child up for success here.