How do I make the most of online classes? Sometimes, my concentration fails and I get bored just looking at the screen. It is really important I get a good percentage this year. I am in Class X and will be taking the board exams in a few months. How can I study and make the most of it?

No matter how hard the teacher is trying, learning from a lecture on the computer is harder than listening to a teacher in a classroom where pin-drop silence is maintained. Here are some ways to make sure that you stay focussed during the online lectures:

Ask questions whenever you don’t understand a concept. By asking questions, you make sure that you are listening properly and trying to understand.

Request your teachers to post the lectures online so that you can listen to them later in case of connectivity issues. This will also help you revise any concepts in case you miss a class.

A small group or community is really useful to make sure that all of you are studying and understanding properly. Do consider having a small study circle in which you can ask your doubts and talk to each other. Choose friends with whom you can be honest and meet online regularly.

Taking notes is as important now as it was while you were going to school. Jot your notes down during class and afterwards too. By studying regularly, you will find that revision will not pile up for the last moment.

If negative thoughts creep during the class, write them down at the back of your notebook and attend to them later. During a pandemic of this size, where the world is not just what it used to be, it is normal to feel anxiety and stress. But by writing your thoughts down, you release them and prevent them from repeating themselves constantly.

Take frequent breaks from the screen as watching it for hours may cause eye fatigue and lower back pain. Do small and frequent exercises of your wrists, fingers and eyes. Take care of your health and make sure you don’t ignore it.