In this blog post, we will present you with 11 bulletproof excuses for not attending online classes during the lockdown. Also, if you need the advice to survive virtual classes, this post will guide you on how to organize yourself for distance classes; what tools to use; the best study techniques; how to manage your time and stay motivated
Excuses for not attending online classes during the lockdown
Here are the best excuses for not attending online classes during the lockdown:
- You have connectivity issues: your WiFi is down, your laptop broke down, cannot connect to the server.
- A sibling or a parent had an important Zoom meeting and you had to share your computer.
- You are sick and cannot possibly concentrate on what the teacher is saying.
- A family member is sick and you have to care for them.
- You have to work to support yourself/your family during the lockdown.
- Another course/interview coincided exactly with the time you had to be online.
- You forgot you had that class, it can happen to anyone!
- You had a doctor’s appointment.
- There was a house emergency (like a gas leak, a water pipe broke down or you had to have your router replaced).
- You had a family emergency (hospitalization or funerals).
- You took a mental health day (because of stress, depression, anxiety, burn out).
No matter the reason, missing class too often is bad for two main reasons. One, you may be missing important information that will later be in exams, or count towards your final grade. Two, some professors count attendance as a part of participation grades and absenteeism is hardly punished in most schools.
Online learning is not easy, especially during a national lockdown. You may find the online interaction nothing close to face-to-face communication, you may miss your friends and the banter during the breaks, or you may find online classes as the perfect way to skip school.
However, keep in mind that the Covid-19 virus has not undermined the importance of school, the relevance of the information taught by teachers and, finally, online classes are (paradoxically) the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the media, news and everything related to the lockdown.
Tips to survive virtual classes
Virtual classes have been one of the ways in which technology has positively influenced learning. However, when you’ve studied your whole life in a traditional way, it can be difficult to adjust.
- Build a schedule
Even when you are at home and can do things at your own pace, building a schedule provides clarity and security. You can organize your schedule by the day or by the week, and it includes everyday activities (like getting out of bed and eating breakfast), in addition to academic activities.
Specify the days and hours that correspond to each subject, so that you are always prepared and avoid confusion. It also establishes the free hours that you can dedicate to doing homework, work or reviewing classes, separate from leisure and relaxation time, which is important.
- Use the calendar
The calendar is a fairly common organizational tool, as it helps you keep an eye on important dates, such as exams, deadlines, special events, etc. Always have a calendar close to you, and mark on it all the dates you need to remember.
Use your creativity, first to make the calendar pleasing to the eye, easily capturing your attention. And second, so that you can understand and remember all your annotations. You can also try to organize your calendar by modules or semesters, with all the important dates of the university and your classes.
- Create your study space
The bed and the sofa are very comfortable places, but not the most suitable when it comes to virtual classes. You need your brain to focus on learning, so it’s best to create your own study space. These are our best tips:
- Use a desk or table that you have available at home. There you must place your computer, tablet or whatever device you use to see the virtual classes.
- Place your study table near a window, if possible. Natural light helps you see better and does not strain your eyes. In addition, it facilitates concentration and increases performance.
- Make sure you have the notebooks and books you need for the assignments you will be seeing that day on hand.
- Organize a pencil case or holder with all the pencils, markers, highlighters and colours you want to use.
- Find a comfortable chair of adequate height, to avoid distractions and back or neck pain.
- Update your computer and your internet plan
If your computer has failures, the ideal is that you take it to review and update the operating system if necessary, so you will be much more productive. On the other hand, you can only watch virtual classes through the internet.
Having a good connection is essential so that you can follow the thread of the lessons, and do not get delayed by problems with the service. Call your internet provider and ask for available plans.
Tools for virtual classes
Distance education is based on technology, and one of the best tips we can give you is to make use of all the digital tools necessary to improve your learning experience. They are instruments designed to optimize time and space, increase your productivity and facilitate study.
Note-taking apps
- X Mind – For your phone or tablet, create practical and creative mind maps or diagrams.
- CamScanner – Whether you like to take notes on paper, or have to use a lot of physical books to study, with this application you can quickly scan documents and save them on your phone or computer.
- GoodNotes – Exclusive for tablets, allows you to create completely digital notebooks, which can be fully customized, adding links and access to documents.
Timetables and digital study plans
- My Study Life – On your tablet or phone, keep an interactive calendar of your virtual class hours, and all pending evaluations. This app includes alarms that let you know in advance that a deadline is approaching.
- Exams – Presents you a countdown for each of the exams you have scheduled.
- Todoist – It’s a digital “to do” list. You can organize different lists, either with academic tasks or from your personal life. For all of them, there are reminders and deadlines.
Apps to help you study
- Tiny cards – You can build your own study cards, with the content and theme you want. Then the application presents you with different dynamics to make the study sessions more pleasant and effective.
Study techniques for distance education
Do you know what kind of student you are? Each person learns differently. One of the advantages of distance education is that you can focus on what you need. Here are some of the most useful study techniques for different types of students:
Pomodoro method: It consists of organizing your time to be more productive and avoid distractions. To use the Pomodoro method, you must divide your study time into long work intervals and shorter rest periods, all with the help of a stopwatch.
For example, three 25-minute study intervals, with a 10-minute break between each. After completing these three periods, you can take a longer break of 15-20 minutes. The key is not to be distracted during study time. Then you will have completed almost 2 hours of productive work.
Today you can find web pages with timers for the Pomodoro technique on the internet, such as Pomofocus, Tomato Timer and Pomodoro Tracker. And if you prefer, you can also choose an application for your mobile phone. Some good options are Focus To Do, Pomodoro Timer, and Marinara Timer.
Online study groups
There are people who get very bored studying alone, which causes them to become distracted and lose motivation. Online study group techniques offer a practical and inexpensive solution. You can form groups with your classmates, or join groups of people in other universities or countries.
In a study forum, debate and critical thinking are encouraged; doubts are clarified and new approaches to the study topics are worked on. Basically, students actively review their knowledge, without the pressure of a quiz or study guide.
Final thoughts
Time is money when you are studying. You need to take advantage of each hour of study, to achieve all your goals and fulfil all your commitments. The first thing you should do is eliminate all possible distractions during virtual classes.
Share your schedule with your family, so they understand what time you will not be available. Also remember to silence notifications on your phone, or turn it off if you are not going to use it at all. Repeat this process with other devices, such as television, video games, etc.
Even if you are not going to leave your house, always get up early, so you can have a few extra hours to prepare (have breakfast, wash up, get dressed, check your schedule). On the other hand, set specific days and hours in your schedule to dedicate yourself only to doing work, studying or relaxing. This way you can be more productive.
Spend at least an hour a day to review the day’s lessons, even when you don’t have any scheduled exams. That way, when the day of the evaluation arrives, you will have much more security on the subject. Also, organize your study space when you finish classes. The next day you save a lot of time and effort because you should not rush to organize everything before the lessons begin.
If you have any comments or questions on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on Excuses for not attending online classes during the lockdown
How do I skip school without getting marked absent?
If you want to skip school without getting marked absent you have to give the teacher a sick note. Your parents/guardians should be the ones who sign the sick note.
Is it OK to skip class sometimes?
It is perfectly okay to skip class sometimes. When you are stressed or burned out it is understandable to need some time to recharge. As long as it is occasionally, it is alright.
How can I skip school grade?
To skip a school grade you have to send in a written request to the school principal. Make sure that you state the reasons why you have to skip a school grade.
Why is skipping class bad?
Skipping class is bad for two reasons. One, you may be missing important information that will later be in exams, or count towards your final grade. Two, some professors count attendance as a part of participation grades and absenteeism is hardly punished in most schools.
References
Collegeraptor.com
Theconversation.com
Montgomerycollege.edu
