Advice, Education, Technology, Virtual School |
One of the biggest perks about being a virtual student is that you can learn from the comfort of your own home. Unlike traditional school, we don’t care if you stay in your pj’s, are in your bed, or are lounging on the couch while looking over your coursework. You can be as comfortable as you want and learn from wherever you want. That’s part of the draw to virtual learning, right? While all of that is true, you have to have some self-discipline when studying at home because distractions are everywhere!
Your mind can wander. The television goes on. The neighbor’s dog barks. A loud car flies down the street. Distractions happen constantly around the house. With technology literally at our fingertips, it’s super easy to start browsing the internet or checking your social media accounts and before you know it, hours have flown by and no work has been done.
In a traditional school environment, you need to be physically and mentally present to succeed. Same goes for virtual learning. When your mind wanders or you get tied up doing chores or surfing the internet, it’s easy to start falling behind in your studies. Thinking that you will “catch up tomorrow” doesn’t always pan out so it’s really important to make the commitment and set some limits for yourself. Virtual learning definitely requires some discipline on the student and the parents to make sure time is carved out for learning.
At My Virtual Academy, your success is our number one goal. We design our courses so that success is knocking at your door. You just have to keep your eye on the prize and do your part. When you attend a virtual academy, you are always online. After all, that is how you complete your schooling. It’s vital that you stay motivated and distraction-free so that you can stay focused on the task at hand and keep your schooling on track.
Keep these tips in mind to keep yourself free from distractions:
Setup a study area
You need an area of your house that is dedicated to school. There should be a desk, lamp, computer, plenty of room to work, and other school must-haves like paper, pens, and pencils. This area should be free from distractions and be a warm, inviting area for you to study. Setting the stage for success is important when virtual learning and having a special area that is just for you and your studies is a great step in the right direction!
Turn notifications off
Since you will be learning virtually, you will be online
where there are sure to be tons of distractions. Try turning off your notification settings so that if you receive a notice from one of your social media accounts or a text message, you won’t be alerted and tempted to view it. Keep your study time for your studies. If you were at a traditional school, you wouldn’t be able to check your phone or Facebook in the middle of math class, so use that same mentality when studying at home.
Studies come first
Whether you reach out to a fellow virtual learner to get some help on an assignment or have another friend who gave you a call, make sure to stay on track and keep your studies first. Catching up with friends will have to wait until you have done your work for the day. Same goes for talking to a fellow student. You may find that your conversation wanders to things that don’t have to do with school but try to re-route the conversation and bring it back to school. Get through your work for the day then pick up where you left off.
Be successful with a schedule
As a virtual learner, the day is yours. You do not have to be to school by the time the first bell rings at 7:00am. There are no bells. You set your schedule. For this reason, it’s important to make sure you are responsible and carve some time into each day for your studies and coursework. Make a schedule and stick to it. View the time you scheduled for school just as important as any other thing you have going on because it is! Setting aside time for school every day helps you stay on course and not fall behind.
We are so happy we were able to share these wonderful little tidbits to help keep you on track and on the path to success. We can’t wait to see all of the great things you accomplish during your time at My Virtual Academy! Should you have any questions or are ready to complete your enrollment, give us a call at 800-297-2119. Our friendly staff is standing by and ready to help!
Advice, Communication, Teenagers |
Most parents can agree: the teenage years can be rough! Hormones are raging, they are trying to gain more independence, and they spend a lot of time away from their parents and their home while hanging with friends. One minute they love and adore you, the next minute you ruined their life. Can many of you relate?
When tempers flare and disagreements are happening, it’s hard to not resort to yelling and harsh discipline, but studies are showing us that positive reinforcement may be the key to success, not just in the home but also in their school life.
We’ve all heard the saying, “The one who is hardest to love needs love the most.” It’s very hard to set emotions aside and give positive feedback to a student or child who is constantly difficult and making your day-to-day life challenging. It’s easier to yell and put them in their place. Yelling is only making tensions higher and your teen angrier, so let’s try a different approach and see how it works!
As a student at My Virtual Academy, your teen will have weekly interaction with their teachers and mentors. We work hard to provide positive reinforcement during these interactions and bring to the forefront things that the student is excelling with, while still discussing and resolving any areas of concern. These weekly interactions are vital to your student’s success and we want them to be a positive experience that they look forward to.
In regards to school, if you notice your student is struggling, take a different approach and instead of getting mad or grounding your teen, commend them on something that you noticed they did well. Maybe they are having a hard time solving that math problem but they knew what method to use. Give them credit where credit is due. This makes them less defensive and they’ll be more open to your help and guidance.
Keep in mind, teens are facing difficult decisions on a daily basis that could impact their future. It’s hard to not cave into peer pressure and make the less popular decision, but it happens all the time and teens should be rewarded when the right choice is made.
When we think of “rewards” our mind usually equates that with a monetary value. That’s not necessarily the case and we’ll show you some different ways to entice your teen to be a good, productive student and member of society.
Remember, you DO NOT and SHOULD NOT give a reward for every good thing your teen does. This is a tool in your tool belt to reward them when you see fit. It’s an alternative way of parenting because they’ll be receptive to the rewards and these little rewards will help keep them on the right track. The rewards will let your teen know that you notice the good things they are doing, not just focusing on the bad.
Here are some reward ideas that will reinforce good behavior and deter the bad:
- Does your teen have a special hobby or interest? Build a reward based on that. Extra skate time at the local skate park or new paints and canvases for their art projects are sure ways to let them feel rewarded and appreciated.
- Teens always love freedom. How about rewarding good behavior by adding an extra half hour onto their curfew time? This will not only build trust between you, but will give them extra hangout time with their friends.
- Cook them their favorite meal. Let them know tonight’s dinner will be one to celebrate their successes and ask them to plan the menu so they get their favorite things to eat.
- Lengthen your teen’s car privileges. If your teen has been on good behavior or did something worth noting, why not give them longer access to the family car? They’ll love the independence and will surely thank you for it!
- Allow your teen to skip setting the alarm on the weekend. Every teen loves sleep! That’s just a fact. Let your teen know that because of their good behavior, they can sleep in as late as they’d like on the weekend. It’s great not having to wake up to an alarm, and they’ll love it too!
- Lastly, don’t forget the power of a hug and saying, “thank you.” Thanking them for doing well on their schoolwork or for helping out around the house can go a long way. Show them your love and appreciation and let them know it makes for a much nicer, calmer home when they are keeping up their end of the bargain (getting good grades and doing chores around the house).
Teens are just like us. We don’t like it if all we hear is the negative from our boss at work, so why would your teen respond positively to yelling or nagging? They won’t. That’s why it’s so important to try another approach and always remember to never forget the power positive reinforcement holds!
At My Virtual Academy, we make it our daily mission to help students in grades 5-12 excel and work towards their goal of obtaining their high school diploma. Your student’s success is our number one focus. If you would like to learn more about our virtual school, click here to visit our website, follow us on Facebook, or give us a call at 800-297-2119.
My Virtual Success Stories |
When Marcus C. decided to join My Virtual Academy, he was largely looking to try something new. No one he knew had tried virtual learning before, so he was in uncharted waters. Armed with a positive attitude and an eagerness for change, he found the transition to online learning a breeze. Marcus wasn’t scared, nervous, or anxious about switching schools and was very excited to enjoy the benefits of the flexible scheduling that virtual learning offers.
We spoke with Marcus and asked him what he loved most about attending a school that has a flexible schedule and he said, “Having a flexible schedule allows me to make my own schedule and manage my own time so in case I’m sick or have errands to run, this flexibility works great!” He continued to say, “If I need to look for a job in the future, this type of schooling will give me flexibility and a school/work balance.”
Marcus mentioned he liked that, “My Virtual Academy paved a way for me to go to a community college or trade school.” If he could give some words of advice for teens who are contemplating switching from a traditional school to My Virtual Academy, he would say, “Stay positive. Work hard. MVA is a good path to take to earn your diploma.”
While Marcus just wanted to try something new, the level of flexibility My Virtual Academy offers can be a true life saver for some students. If your teen is facing adversities in school, whether it be bullying, health problems, teen pregnancy, or for any other reason, we would love to talk to you and show you that there is a way your teen can be successful at school and earn their high school diploma. Continue on to read about Titiyana, a teen mom, who would not be able to complete high school without the flexible scheduling My Virtual Academy offers.
Teen pregnancy is something that throws a curve ball to a lot of teens during their high school years. Sometimes it’s hard to see the path that they should take to obtain their high school diploma while juggling being a mother, but the important thing to note is that there is indeed a path! So many teen moms feel that they have no choice but to set aside their hopes and dreams because of choices they made, but that’s simply not the case.
While it may be difficult to attend a traditional school, students like Titiyana N. found virtual learning was an excellent option for them. Titiyana learned she was pregnant during her junior year of high school. Eager to earn her high school diploma, she knew returning to her traditional school wasn’t going to be a good option for her so she decided to try enrolling in My Virtual Academy.
Titiyana raved about switching to My Virtual Academy. When we spoke, she said, “It was exciting! It’s much better than going to a regular school. I get a lot more done and it’s flexible. I love being able to work at my own pace. I can tend to my son and do my schooling after.”
She mentioned that when she first started taking classes at My Virtual Academy, she had to set up a schedule so she could keep track of everything and stay on course. Like a true mom, Titiyana found that this way of schooling made multitasking easier and she would recommend it to other teen moms.
Are you in a situation similar to Titiyana’s or just want to try something new like Marcus? Please always remember that there are options out there! You don’t need to exclusively do one or the other. Schooling and motherhood can coexist when you are at the right school. We pride ourselves in offering tailored, flexible, individualized coursework that allows you to fit in all the different roles in your life simultaneously. To learn more, please visit our website or give us at call at 800-297-2119.
Advice, Communication, Teenagers, Virtual School |
Change is always scary and is often met with resistance. Even when a child is struggling in their current school, it can be frightening to make a change and begin learning virtually. They most likely understand that their current school environment isn’t working for them. They might be bullied, a pregnant teen, someone who has an illness that prevents them from attending school regularly, or someone who has a learning disability and is falling through the cracks. Even with obstacles mounted against them, change is hard and it’s always a good thing to sit down and have an open discussion about switching up how they school so they aren’t blindsided by the change. Having a talk with your child will help ease anxiety and get them excited about making the change.
Start by explaining why you think switching schools would be beneficial for them. Get their input. Do they perceive the same struggles that you do? Explain how a virtual school, such as My Virtual Academy, would be a positive change. Give some examples on how virtual learning helps them to get their education while solving the problems they are currently facing.
Key points to mention are:
- Virtual learning provides a flexible learning environment where they can learn from the comfort of their own home.
- For teen moms, this allows them to care for their baby while completing their studies as the day allows.
- Bullied teens, are no longer forced to sit in a classroom with students who belittle, tease, and harm them.
- For those students who have a learning disability or struggle to keep up with the rest of the class, this flexible learning model allows them to move forward at their own pace. They will no longer be rushed through the coursework just to keep up with the rest of the class.
- Students who have a hard time focusing in a traditional classroom will benefit from working in a calmer, more controlled home environment.
- For student athletes or those who travel frequently, the ability to learn wherever there is an internet connection is amazing. Students no longer have to worry about falling behind in school while following their passion.
- Students with health issues can complete their coursework at any time during the day, which frees them up for doctor appointments, therapy sessions, and any other needs that arise.
Make sure you keep your tone light, excited, and eager for the change. Your enthusiasm will rub off on your adolescent. Let them know that they will still have interaction with state-certified teachers and a mentor. They can still socialize with others their age through city sports groups or other local groups that interest them.
It’s important that your child feel free to ask you questions so make sure you are open to that. Since virtual learning is new to them, they may have lots and lots of questions! Let them know that you are there to answer any questions they may have and that if you don’t know the answer, you can look it up together on our website or by giving us a call.
Once your teen is on board, let them help get ready for the change. They will need a nice, quiet study area so let them pick out a few new things for their desk and get some new supplies, like a day planner. They’ll need that to keep track of their time and upcoming assignments. When you let them help organize their area, it gives them some ownership and gets them excited about the new venture.
By working hand-in-hand with your student, changing schools will be a smooth transition. Your teen will feel like they are working on a clean slate with a bright future.
At My Virtual Academy, we work hard to give every student all of the tools they need to succeed. After all, their success is our success. Our staff is available to answer any questions you may have and help with the enrollment process, so please call us at 800-297-2119. You can also browse our website by clicking here and find the answers to many of your questions there.
A child’s education is very important and helps prepare them for their adult life. Don’t let your child have a bad educational experience because they are scared to make the change. Please reach out to us if we can be of any assistance when making this big decision.
My Virtual Success Stories |
Tykela W. was really struggling in school prior to coming to My Virtual Academy. After leaving a traditional school, she enrolled with a virtual school. Tykela said, “I got too many assignments at once and there was no help if I didn’t understand something.” As you can imagine, that’s no recipe for success. In fact, it was a sure fire way of setting her up for failure.
When Tykela decided it was time to try another virtual school, she decided on My Virtual Academy. She said, “Before I came to MVA, I was missing 14 credits. I knew if I wanted to graduate on time, then I had to make something work. MVA helped a lot. You don’t have to rush to complete your classes. I can pace myself and if I can’t understand something, I actually have someone to help me. If my teacher can’t help me, then he gets me a tutor.”
At My Virtual Academy, we pride ourselves on working with each student to ensure their success. Like Tykela kindly mentioned, if a student is struggling to understand the material, there are resources at their disposal. Teachers are always available as are tutors and mentors.
Tykela had a goal of finishing her high school classes on time, but she actually went above and beyond her goal. She went on to say, “I have finished all of my classes early. I took 3 classes and if I would finish them early, I would get a class added. I had an awesome teacher by my side 24/7 and life coach. It’s awesome. I really want to thank MVA for helping me graduate early.”
When we spoke with Tykela, she was asked what she liked most about being a student at MVA and she reiterated her love for having someone available that could walk her through areas she was struggling in. She said, “My favorite thing about My Virtual Academy is that I don’t have to rush to complete my classes and if I need help, my teacher is always one phone call away to help me.”
Tykela said that if she were to talk to a student who was struggling like she was prior to MVA, she would say, “It’s a good thing (making the switch to virtual school). If you need time, they give you time. It really helps you a lot.”
As for life after graduation, Tykela has her sights set on attending a community college to further her education.
We are so proud of our MVA students, like Tykela W. Students work hard and their efforts pay off in a big way! If you have a student who would benefit from being a virtual student, please visit our website to learn more or reach out to us at 800-297-2119 and our staff would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. We hope to hear from you soon!
where there are sure to be tons of distractions. Try turning off your notification settings so that if you receive a notice from one of your social media accounts or a text message, you won’t be alerted and tempted to view it. Keep your study time for your studies. If you were at a traditional school, you wouldn’t be able to check your phone or Facebook in the middle of math class, so use that same mentality when studying at home.
