March 28, 2020
Circumstances of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic has caused many changes to everyday life across the country and the world. Students from all ages have been sent home to continue classes remotely, a major adjustment that even technical and trade school students are adapting to. If you are a student at a technical, vocational, or trade school completing your coursework from home, it can be particularly tricky to get used to this learning environment. After all, technical and trade skills are all about hands-on learning! Use this list to help make your remote learning experience a little easier to manage so that you can keep your trade career path on track while you stay at home.
Tips for Remote Learning and Career Development from Home
- Stick to a Schedule
When you are completing coursework from home it is important to set up a daily routine. Try to stick to a schedule similar to a regular day at school. It is easy to do this when you are attending livestream classes, but if you have the option to complete assignments on your own time setting up a schedule will help you to stay motived and productive. - Set Up Your Space
Let’s face it, we’ll all spending more time at home than usual. Creating a specific environment for “school time” is another hack that will help keep productivity on track. If possible, do your coursework in a space where you can shut the door to minimize distractions. If you are in a smaller space, clear off the kitchen table or a desk that is specifically for school work. If you are working on hands-on projects, space like your basement or garage is ideal. - Get to Know the Software
Students and teachers agree, half the battle of adjusting to remote learning is getting used to the technology. Take some extra time to navigate the software your school is using for classes. Test out features like voice and microphone control and chat options for asking questions to minimize the inconvenience of a technology mishap during class. - Stay Connected with Classmates & Teachers
Make sure you have phone numbers and email addresses for your instructors. And if you don’t have it already, ask for contact information for your classmates, too. This will come in handy if questions come up during assignments and is also a good way to maintain a sense of “normal life” by catching up with your peers. - Work on Your Resume
Make the most of the extra time on your hands. Now is the perfect opportunity to go through your resume, update your work experience, and start thinking about the next step in your career. If you already have a profile on Generation NEXT Energy Pros, login to see how you could update your resume so that you can stand out to potential employers. If you don’t have a profile yet, take a few minutes to create one!
Generation NEXT Energy Pros is proud to be the leading workforce development program for the energy industry. If you are new here, visit our main website to see if you live in one of the states where we have active programs. If so, you can create a free profile to start connecting with future industry employers.
