As we all know, the coronavirus pandemic has affected the start of this school year, so for many high school and college students, going back to school means online classes. The usual tips of making a schedule and studying for exams still apply, but here are a few tips on how you can get the most out of your teachers and administration during this peculiar school year.

First, check to see if your teachers offer specific office hours outside of class time. Whether it’s a designated time that your instructor signs on and answers your questions quickly or one-on-one Zoom appointments, make sure you have some designated time out of class to get the help you need. If your instructor doesn’t already offer some type of time outside of class, respectfully ask them to set some designated time apart from class to answer you and your classmates’ questions about lectures, homework, or exams. This will make studying simpler and straightforward for you. It’ll also help you feel less like you’re on your own.

Ask your teachers or administration about the policy for bad wifi connection. If you find that your school does not have a policy in place, ask your instructor to have some leniency with exams and assignments. Remind them that your home wifi might not be as good as the school’s wifi, and with the pandemic pushing everyone to work from home, you have to share the server with more devices than normal, which can cause a slow connection. If you approach your professor in a concerned manner, they will be likelier to accommodate for the wifi connectivity.

Textbooks are often an essential to a class, and many teachers may rely on them now more than ever because the students are all online. Don’t hesitate to ask a professor where you can pick up a physical copy of the textbook and what precautions the bookstore is taking to ensure you are staying safe. Alternatively, if you feel that you learn better with an online textbook or that it is safer to get an online textbook so you don’t put any risk to your health, request an online-only version of the book. During these times, don’t put your health or your family’s at risk simply to find a specific book. Let your instructor know what is going on in your family and the risks associated with grabbing a physical textbook, and they should be more likely to give you certain exemptions.

Make sure that your school has a policy in place in case you get sick. If you happen to get COVID-19, even if you are less likely to get severe symptoms from the virus, it is important to note that plenty of kids have gotten the virus and have been hospitalized. At the start of the classes, ask your professors what kinds of measures are in place if you or a family member were to get seriously sick so you don’t have to choose between your health and your grades.

Ask about technology training. If your school is rolling out a new software that you have never used before, don’t let that take a toll on your grades. Ask early on during class about the kinds of training the school offers regarding technology to make sure you know how to correctly submit assignments and take tests.

This year will undoubtedly be different, but it is up to you to take care of yourself and your family. Don’t let the school dictate your health and wellbeing; these trying times show you what kind of school you are attending, so make sure that you agree with the class policies. And don’t forget to speak up if you think your administration or teachers have forgotten about a certain aspect. Also, keep in mind that the faculty are learning along the way just as much as you are, so more than likely, they will gladly accept feedback to help each student learn.