Virtual Routine
by: Claire Duarte
The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken our world and our lives. Almost every aspect of how we lives our live has been changed in some way. It is hard to believe that it has been over 6 months of this new reality and maybe some of us have been able to be get in a rhythm and groove, but if you’re a working parent and/or a student doing virtual learning, there are still many challenges to this new way of life.
Whether you’re a parent or a student doing virtual learning (virtual, hybrid, etc.), having a newly established routine can help make all the difference. Typically, when the fall comes around, everyone is forced back into a rhythm because of school and all of the busyness of this time of year. However, we do not have that same set-up right now so we have to create the rhythm in the midst of chaos. Here are some tips that we’re suggesting to help set you up for success while virtual-learning:
1. Set a schedule - and be consistent
List out all obligations: class times, activities, teacher check-ins, study hall hours, homeroom, doctors appointments, sports, etc. Always start with the non-negotiables and standing commitments each day/week and put those into the calendar first. Then make sure to break down each day; this may look about the same, or different, depending on the class schedule. Next, lay out wake up & bedtimes, to help define work and sleep times and establish a better morning routine to get the day started. Creating a schedule for each day creates a guideline for helping everyone stay on track. This can be done either a spreadsheet, Google Calendar, virtual calendars, paper calendars, or even dry erase boards - whichever your family prefers! But I encourage you to pick one (or a combination of two) and stick to it!
2. Set up your environment
This is incredibly important, because your work and school space should be properly defined. Much like your bedroom should be for sleeping, your workspace should be for working. With everyone being at home, I know this has become increasingly more complicated, and something that may just require a little creativity. This may mean utilizing kitchen & dining tables, living room, family rooms, or even converting other rooms to make it more functional and usable. If at all possible, setting up family members in their own rooms/work-spaces is ideal. Ex: Mom in kitchen - kitchen table, dad in basement- folding table, son in office - at desk, daughter in family room - card table. If needing to eliminate distractions, you can use headphones, dual-monitors, or even the 3-sided poster boards to set up in between workspaces (say if multiple people are at a table), and/or just to eliminate home distractions.
If using poster-board dividers, this can even be a fun activity as a family to decorate and design for each student!
To help keep a work-life balance, at the end of the day, clean up or “close” the space so you can separate work/school from the rest of your life and activities.
3. Organize your space
Keep your work space clean & clear, and give all your supplies a “home”. Whether that’s using small pencil pouches, cups, paper folders, file folders, etc. The more you can have your space clear and ready for work, the easier it will be to get started, sit down, and focus.
4. Schedule in mealtimes & breaks
This often seems “easy” or intuitive, and many schools already have break times built in. But making sure to follow through with standing up, walking around, giving your eyes a break from all screens, and eating well balanced meals in between classes. This ensures you are also getting in a good breakfast, and factoring in dinner time while planning out evening activities and homework. Something else we try to do in our house is having healthy snacks to have in between classes that are prepped and in easy grab-&-go containers, like: bagged up carrots, shakes, yogurt, pretzels & PB, etc.
5. Include your family - do it together
For students of all ages, this can be very beneficial to make the schedule together to help lay out all the obligations and overall individual expectations. Middle school and high schoolers often want more independence, and may resist this activity at times. But it is always helpful to have defined working blocks of time to help increase their sense of time management. Another helpful way to go about this could be that each of the students make their schedules, mom & dad make one, and then you all come together and sit down to contrast & blend as necessary. You can meet once a week as a family to go over everyone’s schedule and make sure you are all on the same page.
6. Be flexible!
Things will happen! There will be doctor’s appointments, activities, holidays, schedule changes, distractions at home, and more. I always say: have a “rigid routine” but a flexible approach. Meaning, that it’s important to honor everything that you need to do and prioritize those, but sometimes you need to vary how it’s done or achieved.
No matter what, virtual learning is not an easy job - for the student or parent. But the more structure and routine you build can help students to stay on track!