3 Tips to Thrive Returning to In-Person Learning

By Jody Bell

After a whole year of altered educational forms ‒‒ whether that’s hybrid, or all online ‒‒ many of us students are beginning to return to in-person classes. 

While it may be incredibly exciting to see your friends and teachers again, it can also be intimidating. Personally, the thought of face to face group discussions, presentations standing in front of the whole class, or the dreaded group work, feels like a pit in my stomach. 

There’s plenty of changes coming, and while the majority of them are good, you’re going to have to spend time re-adjusting. 

Here are our three tips on how you can re-approach an in-person learning environment.

1. Understand Everyone is Re-Adjusting

Remember the first day of school pre-COVID ‒‒ throwing around a ball and playing ice-breakers for the entire first week of school? 
During that time I always had a feeling of excitement of being around new people and a new environment, mixed with the nerves of new faces and simply not knowing what to expect. After an entire year of isolation, this feeling will be magnified and felt by literally everyone. 

You’re going to have nerves ‒‒ and that’s okay! Every one of your classmates (and teachers) will be feeling the same way as you, and there will be plenty of time for social acclimation before you dive into the actual coursework. 

Try to remind yourself of this everyday, and if you’re really struggling with the adjustment remember you have guidance counselors and teachers who are there to support you and listen to your concerns! 

2. Focus on the Interpersonal During Group Work 

After a year of the awkward Zoom break-out room discussions, it can be hard to remember what successful group work was like.

Reflecting on my experiences working in groups in a digital format was a collection of scattered “hellos” and then directly getting into work. Truthfully, I don’t know any of my classmates from this past year and that’s just depressing. 

As you re-acclimate to in-person collaboration, it may feel odd and different starting the work off by getting to know your peers. Yet, that’s truly what a good group leader does ‒‒ they really know who they’re working with, which helps structure the entire project and group effort. 

So, when you find yourself in this in-person situation, take a deep breath and just try to make some friends. Ask about their names, interests, how they feel about the project, and once you feel comfortable around these people, dive into the work as a team. 

3. Reflect on your Organizational Strategies 

During virtual learning, you probably spent a lot of time coming up with time-management strategies that worked for that environment. 

Now, with structured classes until the late afternoon, and sports/extracurriculars after, it may seem impossible to stay on top of homework, your social life, and family time. Even though this may have been your life just a year ago, it could feel miles away from feasible. 

We recommend spending time reflecting ‒‒ think about how your organizational strategies have changed in the past few months. Take into account what worked and didn’t work, and think about if those same strategies could transfer over to your new in-person lifestyle. You may have to restructure yourself and how you plan out your days ‒‒ but that’s okay, and it's probably necessary!

These steps are truly just the tip of the iceberg, and each person’s adjustment is going to be unique. Throughout the process just remember that these changes are for the better and once you’re through this transition phase happy will be an understatement. 

Jody Bell, 19, is Girls With Impact’s Chief Editor and a program graduate. Girls With Impact is the nation’s only online, after-school, entrepreneurship program for teen girls, turning them into tomorrow’s business leaders and innovators.