Tips for Scheduling Your Online School Day

As the school year begins, families start finding new routines and adjusting to online schooling. If you’re still figuring out your schedule or looking to improve it, here are some helpful tips.

Start With a Morning Routine

Kick off your school day with a healthy breakfast to fuel your child with the nutrients and energy they need to stay focused and active.

Set a Consistent Start Time

Determine a start time that suits your child’s natural rhythm. Early birds might begin at 7:30 or 8 AM, while others may start closer to 10 AM. As long as students attend their live virtual classes or Class Connects, you can create a morning routine that works best for your family.

Create Your Own Schedule

Planning can make children feel more secure and confident. Use daily and monthly planners to track class schedules and other activities. Start by blocking out time for Class Connect sessions and teacher meetings, then schedule time for meals, brain breaks, chores, and physical and social activities.

Work with your child to create a daily schedule that fits their preferences and optimal learning times. Whether they feel more prepared to tackle math equations at the beginning of the day or prefer doing reading assignments outdoors when the weather is nice, a schedule can help everyone stay on track and find a rhythm throughout the day.

One advantage of K12-powered online schools is that you can customize your student’s schedule based on work schedules, extracurricular activities, and personal preferences.

Set Goals and Rewards

What is better motivation than getting rewarded for reaching a personal goal? Encourage your child to establish attainable yet challenging goals, such as earning a high grade on a test or completing a challenging assignment. Celebrate their success with a special treat or activity to keep them motivated throughout the school year.

Channel Excess Energy

Some children have boundless energy and enthusiasm and have trouble sitting still for long periods of time. To help them succeed academically, schedule frequent breaks for

vigorous physical activity. This can include walking the dog, biking, shooting some hoops, or playing with a sibling. Providing an outlet for their energy helps them focus better on their studies.

Take a Moment to Decompress

You know your child best and can tell when they feel frustrated or stressed. With online learning, you can step in before they get overwhelmed. A quick five- to ten-minute break for a drink, a walk around the block, or a cuddle with your family pet can help reset the day so they are ready to learn again.

Schedule Time for Personal Interests

Crafts, music, or volunteering can serve as refreshing breaks between tough subjects. You might even weave these interests into assignments and projects—writing an essay is much more fun if it’s about baseball, hip-hop, helping at the animal shelter—or whatever your student is passionate about!

Be Flexible and Focus on Mastery

Create a schedule that works for your student, whether it’s structured or relaxed. Leave room for flexibility to handle unexpected events. Shake things up occasionally with field trips, educational games, or documentaries to keep your child engaged.

Remember, it’s okay to skip some lessons. The K12 curriculum includes many optional activities. Focus on the ones your child enjoys and ensure they’ve mastered the objectives before moving on.

Set a Cut-Off Time

As they finish their schoolwork, ask your child to assess how the day went. What have they accomplished? How are they feeling? What are their priorities for tomorrow?

Feeling the satisfaction of their accomplishments and planning for the next day can help reduce stress. Following this routine will help make sure your child has time to unwind at the end of each day and get the sleep they need.

Discover a Day in the Life of Online Students

See what a day in the life of K12-powered students looks like and learn more about what they’re studying, how their class schedule is set up, and all the ways they stay social. Plus, find out how real parents make online school work for the whole family.