I asked a panel of experts to share their top tips for learning from home.

Meet the Experts

• Patrick – 6.5 years old, First grade
• Audrey – 4.5 years old
• Della – 10 years old, Fourth grade
• Lillian – 13 years old, Seventh grade
• Scarlett – 8 years old, Third grade
• Emma – 9 years old, Fourth grade
• Michale – 10 years old, Fourth grade

1. Have a good breakfast. It will give you the energy to focus.
2. Have a big open space for your desk. And, keep hand sanitizer at your work station.
3. Keep your things organized so you can get to what you need quickly.
4. Put all your toys away and keep them out of your learning area.
5. Find a space to work without distractions. Put your phone down and stop checking notifications.
6. Focus really hard.
7. Have things near your desk to use as fidgets like slime, paper airplanes, or slinkys.
8. Have a schedule and a routine. Coordinate your schedule with your parents.
9. Get your homework done quickly.
10. Use a to-do list.
11. Use a checklist.
12. Make sure your interest is working well.
13. Keep your papers in the order in which they are due in your backpack. It keeps them organized and gives you space to do everything you need to do.
14. Prioritize. Get the easy things done first. Keep the thing you need to focus on until last so it’s the only thing you need to focus on. It will help you get it done faster if it’s the last thing you have to do.
15. Take a brain break. Go outside, refocus, reenergize.
16.  Focus on one thing at a time.
17. Get up early and make sure you aren’t late for classes. Try to focus. You need school to go on in life.
18. Don’t take yourself off mute when you aren’t supposed to.
19. Use voice dictation tools and get things off your to-do list.
20. Get fresh air, be relaxed, and use starfish breathing.

Bonus Tip from Audrey (4.5 years old): Leave time for playing!

Key Takeaways:

Thank you so much to the panel of experts and to their parents. I was impressed by how productive they are being but was even more impressed by their positive attitudes about this whole thing. They are making the best of this pandemic and know that things won’t be like this forever. The positivity was so uplifting. These parents are clearly doing something right! 

If you need help working and schooling from home, I’m your gal. If you need a focused, concentrated time to work, book a Productivity Power Hour. It will be the most productive 52-minutes of your week!

You Got This! Sarah