Back to School: Success Comes from Communication, Whether In-Person or Online
Raise your hand if this back-to-school season is different than any other you’ve experienced before.
Most likely, everyone would raise their hand. We are less than a month into the 2020-21 school year and to say the least, a lot has happened. If you’ve missed the news, some college classes have been scheduled in-person then two weeks later, after a COVID-19 outbreak, classes are abruptly cancelled. Or in K-12, some parents are putting their kids in “pandemic pods,” or small learning groups outside of the classroom lead by a teacher, while some students are struggling to gain online access. Meanwhile in the halls of some schools across the country, students are snapping pictures of the crowds and lack of social distancing while passing from class to class.
We’ve never seen anything like this before, however, we are all living through a pandemic. So how can students, parents and teachers succeed? By communicating—more than ever before.
Circumstances have changed significantly—income, ability, health, location, just to name a few. That’s why being transparent and communicating (to a level you’re comfortable with) is imperative. If you’re a parent who is an essential worker, it could be helpful for your students’ teachers to know so they understand how your schedule impacts your availability to aid with schoolwork. If someone in your home has been impacted by COVID, explaining the health situation will help explain a missed Zoom call or two.
As a college student, especially as a freshman, communication with your professors, regardless of location, will be the key to a successful school year and college career. Teachers and professors understand health considerations are more important than ever before. Regardless if it’s your health or a family member’s, a quick email to them can provide context.
You’ll see many COVID-19-related posts on how to make the most of our current situation, especially during the school year. As you’re reading, remember one important thing: COMMUNICATE!
