Recently, I have heard a couple of classmates worrying about their studies due to online lessons. Students’ performance in their studies has worsened, especially when they return to in-person classes. However, there are always more solutions than problems. Today, I’m here to guide some of you on how to cope with this challenging period.

Beyond doubt, distraction is the biggest obstacle during this time. During online lessons, you may pay more attention to your mobile phone than to what the teacher is saying. As a student, I totally understand this, especially when no one is there to monitor your behavior during lessons at home. To deal with this, I suggest using apps such as YPT to help you focus on your classes. Once you’re in a lesson, the app can track your study time and block access to other apps, including games, social media, and WhatsApp. This way, you can be as engaged in your classes as you would be at school.

Some of you may have siblings at home, and the noise can be a constant distraction during and after lessons. Why not go to a self-study room? It provides a quiet environment where you can study effectively. If you think going to a self-study room is boring, you can go with friends, so you can discuss difficult questions or topics you don’t understand. Studying with peers can also push you to work harder, as you may feel some healthy pressure from your friends. You can encourage each other to improve together.

Some of my friends have told me that they don’t fully understand what teachers say during online lessons due to poor internet connections or lagging devices. I understand your issues, and it’s true that in-person lessons are often more effective than online ones because technical problems frequently occur. In my opinion, teachers could record lesson videos for students to review later. This would allow students to go over the material and check if they missed any points during the lesson. Additionally, teachers could assign more homework, which would help students actively recall the material—a method that is considered one of the most effective ways to study, according to students who have achieved excellent results in the HKDSE. By doing homework, students can identify what they missed during the lesson and refer to the recorded videos to find the answers. This would also lighten teachers’ workloads, as fewer students would ask questions that were already answered in class.

Some of you may think that parents are not crucial to your studies, but this is a misconception. If your parents are well-educated, they can tutor you after lessons, especially in science subjects. Without needing to ask your teachers, you can clarify the points you missed or misunderstood. Additionally, your parents can provide advice on how to study effectively and manage your time properly. As the people who know you best, they understand your goals and can offer the most suitable guidance. Even if your parents aren’t well-educated, they can still act as counselors, which is vital for your academic journey. You can ask them for different ways to relieve stress. Whether your parents are well-educated or not, I believe they know how to help you and can work through challenges with you.

In addition to studying, parents can take students out for activities like hiking, shopping, or participating in leisure activities such as skating or visiting amusement parks. These activities help you unwind and can lead to better academic performance.

Online lessons require much more effort and determination to achieve your goals. If you truly care about your academic performance and your future, try out my suggestions and see if they help! This online period is going to be difficult, and the path ahead may seem steep. But I believe all of you can overcome the hurdles in front of you and reach your goals.