A few great study spots for online and homeschool students
One of the biggest differences between traditional school vs online school or homeschool is the capability to study at the location of choice. As an online student, you are not limited to a classroom; you can study wherever you feel most comfortable. That could be a coffee shop. It could even be a barn.
With so many choices on where to study, making sure your child enjoys the freedom while still staying disciplined can be a concern. We get that.
That’s why we compiled a few ideas to get you deciding where your student will best learn.
Quiz: Which Place is Best for Your Student to Study?
You have options, but if you’d like to see which might work best for your child’s personality, take the quiz! Or check out some great ideas below.
1. The Favorite Spot on the Couch
With some favorite cozy socks, of course.
Starting the morning stress free can be a huge benefit of online school, you can read more on that here.
There’s no rushing to make they catch the bus or stress of receiving yet another tardy slip. Your student can log in and start coursework on their own time. Of course, starting schoolwork later means finishing work later, but you have that choice!
Sometimes mornings call for leisure. If your child often needs time to ‘wake up’ in the mornings, then we recommend they head to a favorite spot on the couch. Get those favorite cozy socks out, grab a morning snack, log in and get working.
While on break during work or practice
Knock out some homework during downtime.
If your student has a busy schedule, you know all too well that spare time doesn’t come easily. That’s why we suggest seeing how they can monetize their time. When you have a lunch break, try to knock out a small assignment.
It will help your student get that much further ahead in classes once they finally arrive home for the day.
3. In the living room
It’s hard to get distracted when mom sees what you’re working on.
Sometimes the living room isn’t a smart choice. It can be one of the noisiest places in your home. But the nice part about that noisy family is that they can be a great support group too.
But if it is the right environment, the living room is a place where your student feels comfortable, yet you can easily help them stay on track. After all, it’d be difficult to spend time on social media and YouTube when mom sees what you’re doing. That way, you can help them stay disciplined to get homework done for the day.
4. At a desk or table
Somewhere designated is best when the brain doesn’t feel motivated.
While studying on the couch is always cozy, you should also consider finding a desktop or table for the times that require more focus. Here’s why:
The brain makes associations with each place you go. For example, when you go to your bed, your brain associates that with sleeping. When you go to the couch, your brain associates that with relaxing.
That means if your student needs more help focusing, you should have them study somewhere they usually work. A table and desktop are great places to help your brain know it’s time to work.
As one online instructor, Ms. Day said:
“If you do homework in your bed where you sleep, it’s likely going to make you want to take a nap rather than do math homework. Go somewhere you know you won’t get distracted (or leave) until you finish homework. Make that your routine and doing homework there will become as natural as taking a nap in your bed is.”
5. The great outdoors
Nothing recharges the brain like fresh air.
You would still need an internet connection. But studying outdoors is a great way to get a change of atmosphere while learning.
Sometimes switching up the environment can make a huge impact on your child’s motivation to study. It can be much better than sitting in a classroom seat, at least!
Whether that be your backyard, the park, the beach or even a barn (sure, why not?) have them try studying there.
Benefits of Online High School or Homeschooling for Student Athletes
Sports and online school or homeschool might as strange a combo as a grilled apple cheese sandwich.
And yet somehow, that sandwich is actually a great combo.
There are a few online schools that offer special programs for student athletes. And it just so happens that Elite is one of those online and homeschools.
In many ways, online school is actually a better option for many competitive student athletes.
How Can a Student Play Sports and Attend School Online?
When your child participates in a time-demanding extracurricular activity of any type, that’s where online school has greater benefits.
Club sports, traveling teams, competitive leagues, they are all extremely time demanding. Depending on how competitive, your child probably spends several additional hours practicing daily. When on top of all that, they’re expected to be in a school building for seven hours a day, balancing life can be overwhelming.
Online high school allows students to work around their schedule. Your child could wake up extra early to exercise, do coursework, go to team practice and come back to study. Or they could wake up early and do schoolwork then spend the rest of your day in practice. Either way, online school works with your schedule.
For the College-Bound Athlete
Online and homeschool are in no way a hindrance to becoming a college athlete. You will need to make sure the school is NCAA approved. That is the only way you can be guaranteed to earn a college athletic scholarship.
Elite offers online and homeschool that’s pending NCAA approval. Come this fall, students will be able to attend high school and earn a college athletic scholarship.
About Elite’s Athletic Academy
The Elite Athletic Academy (EAA) offers homeschool, virtual and blended students a truly unique opportunity to customize their education while developing their athletic abilities.
In partnership with the nationally acclaimed Stars and Stripes program, this model provides student athletes of all levels the unique opportunity to benchmark, individualize and elevate their athletic development.
Most programs start up this Fall 2018, but there are a number of athletic summer programs occurring throughout Southern California as well! Check them out here.
Five School Morning Routines You Could Do Without
Getting your teen through high school is no easy task. That’s a given.
When you have to combine that with early, frantic mornings, high school can be brutal.
We’re not saying that the mornings will ever be glamorous. And we’re certainly not saying that there’s a magical place where all your cares can melt away (thanks to that California sun).
But sometimes the traditional route through high school just isn’t best for your student, especially if ‘morning person’ isn’t a descriptor you’d attribute to your family.
Online and homeschooling certainly have their benefits. For now, let’s focus on those mornings:
1. Every morning, day after day, you sit waiting
Nothing slows down a kid like having a place to be. It started on from early childhood, and it doesn’t get any better with age.
They may have all the energy in the world, they may be the fastest runner in their school. But when they have to get out the door in the morning, it’s a whole other world.
And so you sit, morning after morning, just waiting.
2. Slowly they emerge, with the famous eye roll
Waking up at the crack of dawn is tough for all ages, we admit it. But a little less attitude would be great, considering all you’re trying to do is help your teen not get in trouble for being late again, right?
3. You resort to the final warning call
That final warning call. It’s the ammo you save only for when absolutely necessary.
Because you’re a great parent, you believe in keeping your cool. But sometimes, that “I mean business” face is the only thing that gets your teen moving in those miserable, early mornings.
4. Finally, they pick up the pace and make it to the car
The toughest part is over. You’re finally able to drive to school.
Although, we won’t get into dealing with parent pickup….
5. When it’s all over, you look a little something like this
Another daily battle won and done. Whether you head home or straight to work after carpool, the feeling of getting your teen to school is the same.
Sound familiar? You might want to consider online or homeschool
You might be a morning person and don’t mind rushing around the minute you wake. If so, kudos to you, and we mean that.
But if this is sounding a little too relatable, you might want to look into online or homeschool. Your child can still earn a great education without you having to suffer through frantic mornings.
Both scenarios have quality teachers and guidance counselors readily available to support your family. Unique to Elite is an award-winning digital curriculum that’s fully aligned. With both homeschool and online school, you are in charge of your schedule. If you’d still like to wake up early, you certainly can. You’ll just get to enjoy some peace before starting school for the day.
You can learn more about Elite’s Virtual Academy (online school) here. For homeschooling, head here.