All the big stores are playing their back-to-school ads. Parents and students are heading to the stores to grab notebooks, uniforms, writing utensils, art supplies…all the things that get crammed into backpacks and lockers in preparation for the first day of school. Online students with Excel Middle and High Schools don’t have to worry so much about their exact back to school start dates, but if you’re trying to model your school year with those of the school district in your area, then it’s back to school for you, too!
Online students prepare in both similar and different ways as any other student. So what can you expect from your new school year at EMS or EHS? Here’s what you need to know to get ready for your first day of the new school year.
Supplies
As an online student, you don’t really need a backpack or something to carry your lunch in, but you do need some supplies to get going in your classes. First of all, you’re going to want a few notebooks or a nice thick binder and some loose-leaf paper. Regardless of your grade level, taking notes is a great way to keep track of what you’re learning, summarize it in your own words, and use as a resource on quizzes, essays, and tests.
If you like your notes to be colorful, then some colored pencils, highlighters, markers, or colored pens will be a great asset to your ability to process the information you’re writing in notes. Some post-its, colored tabs, or dividers are an important tool for keeping your notes organized as well.
Naturally, as an online student, you want to make sure your laptop or desktop is working well so that you can access your classes without a problem. Doing a test run to be sure everything is in order with your technology is important before you plan to start your classes.
Organization & A Flexible Schedule
Because all of our programs are self-paced, it’s a good idea to have a way to keep yourself on track and organized. Using an online calendar or a paper planner is a smart way to stay organized so that you can finish your classes by your deadline. You can fill your days with longer lessons and take a day off here and there, or you can pace yourself with shorter days and fewer long breaks. The choice is yours! As long as you’ve completed your grade level requirements by your deadline, you can adjust your schedule to a way that suits you best.
However, be careful! Making a plan ensures that you aren’t taking too many breaks or days off and getting behind. A benefit of online learning with Excel is that if you’re a morning person, you can do your schoolwork early, but if you’re more of a later riser, you can start later in the day. A drawback is that you could be tempted to take a day off and then another day and then another day…and find yourself in a mess. Setting up a realistic schedule that you stick to is a good way to avoid this type of problem.
It’s great that you can take time to visit families, participate in community events, or invest in job-shadowing and developing outside interests, but you want to always organize your time at the start of the school year to make sure you’re able to get your work done and achieve all the academic goals you’ve set for yourself.
Sharing your goals and plan for a schedule with family members is a mature way to be sure that you’re achieving what you want to achieve. Post them on a family calendar or make your own and post it on the fridge or somewhere that you can all check in on it. Be open to the feedback of the adults in your life; they want to see you succeed as much as you do!
Excel High School
Back to school is a bittersweet time. You might be excited to get back to your learning, but giving up all that free time is hard! The good news is that taking classes through Excel doesn’t require you to spend as much time in class as in a traditional school. You don’t have to sit through the long drawn-out attendance taking, the disruptive peers, or the busy work while your teacher takes care of other issues. You can get your work done at your pace and according to your preferred schedule. So don’t dread back to school! Jump in and get started!
If you’re not already a student with Excel High School but would like to learn more, feel free to check out our programs on our website. Still got questions? Feel free to reach out to us by text at 952-465-3700 or call us at 800-620-3844. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you have and guide you to the best program for your individual needs.
