Online once again: struggles students face as they adapt to new academic school year

By Chloe Lam and Serena Ng

With the new academic year starting online, staff and students are readjusting their lifestyles to better cope with the online learning curriculum. Some have managed to overcome their procrastination and optimise productivity while others are still struggling.

Michael Liao and Audrey Lau, Year 11 students now studying at home due to the pandemic, have voiced out the struggles of many others during these trying times. 

Michael LIao: “Keep track of the time, make sure you attend Zoom lessons on time and check your Internet connection.”

Liao has developed strategies and habits to help him stay organised. With one hour lessons and the  additional 20 minute break in between, Liao has found it “very helpful”, using the time to “drink water, walk around and relax.”

The new academic year came with the implementation of a ‘cameras on’ policy, where students are required to keep their cameras on during Zoom lessons. Liao points out that “with the new policy of turning on our cameras, teachers can see what we’re doing.” He claims that this has helped maximise his productivity when studying at home. Lau agrees, also mentioning that online schooling benefited her and kept her more focused. Near the beginning of the online schooling period, Lau says “I didn’t really appreciate it, but then I grew to appreciate it, because classes now seem less alone, [since] you can now see all the other people in your class also working.” 

Online learning has not been easy for most. “One of the main [challenges] is time management skills because we’re just at home so we have a lot of time on our own ,and sometimes I [get] off task,” Liao says. 

Audrey Lau: “Classes now seem less alone, [since] you can now see all the other people in your class also working.”

It has been observed by students that while for most subjects the home learning workload has been manageable there have been many deadlines on days where students didn’t have the lesson itself. Lau explains that this “makes [her] own schedule all messed up.” On the contrary, some students, such as Liao, have found ways to overcome time management difficulties. Liao creates schedules for himself, making sure he knows what to do at given times during the day. 

With the home learning curriculum, students have found that some of the subjects such as drama, science, physical education, and other subjects that require specific resources or equipment were more difficult. This has made it “difficult to learn” for Lau.

Sharing a household with a younger sister also studying under the online learning curriculum at RCHK proved to be a challenge. “Compromising” on sharing equipment and resources, while also trying to avoid disturbing each other are two of the many challenges the siblings face. 

Technology has been a friend and foe. Liao reveals that he has been staying connected with his friends through messaging apps and social media, somewhat making up for the lack of face-to-face interaction. On the other hand, WiFi disconnection has hindered Lau’s learning as she “wasn’t able to attend class or do [her] work” because her WiFi disconnected, which hindered her learning.

The Education Bureau announced on the 31st of August that schools are allowed to resume face-to-face classes in phases starting on the 23rd of September, 2020.

Until then, to enhance productivity and get the most out of online learning, Liao recommends to “keep track of the time, make sure you attend Zoom lessons on time and check your Internet connection.”