Top tips for success in online video homeschooling, like the Ron Paul Curriculum. For those of you who don’t take the RPC, it’s an online video homeschooling curriculum that is cost-efficient (only $50 per course), covers Grades One through to college prep courses, and is liberty-minded and full of brilliant and effective principles and sound information. (This post is geared mostly toward those who are taking the Ron Paul curriculum, but anyone can benefit from the principles!)
In RPC, the whole system is dependent on your ability to stay disciplined. Depending upon your courses, it can be hard work, but with the proper skills, you can get it done better and more efficiently. So without further ado, here are my top 5 tips for success in the Ron Paul Curriculum.
1. Dress for success.
Changing out of your PJs and into your jeans makes you feel more like you’re actually working. You look more professional, you feel more professional … what could be better for your writing skills?
2. Multitask … in moderation.
Most multitasking, like talking on the phone while baking a complicated recipe, can end in disaster! But if you’re taking the Ron Paul curriculum, there are some smart ways to take advantage of the time normally spent staring at the video screen.
Personally, my concentration levels increase when I fold laundry while listening to history videos. I don’t know why, but it does! I clean my room during business videos, but I have to concentrate really hard during literature videos. I normally take in-depth notes in preparation for assignments.
The idea is to combine something you use your ears for (like a video or podcast) with something you use your hands for, like using a quartz roller, folding laundry, combing your pet giraffe …
3. Take a break.
RPC is a completely on-computer curriculum. Sitting at a desk in front of the blue screen for a few hours isn’t only monotonous, it’s bad for your body to be stationary for so long . Take a break every 30 minutes or so to move around. Run around your house 5 times, practice your set or swish, offer to do *gulp* chores …
4. TIP: look ahead for the essay.
At the beginning of every week, I look ahead to see what the essay topic is going to be. I think about it or jot down notes throughout the week and by the end, I’m pretty sure I know what I’m going to say. This keeps you from needing to write a prime essay in one day, which I find a little hard to do.
5. Always, always, ALWAYS take notes!!!!
In Grade 10, after a few years on a break from the Ron Paul curriculum, I noticed that the essay work/topics got a lot heavier. At first, its motivating, but if you don’t keep up, your essay folder starts piling up on those ones that you *thought* you’d do later!!
By taking notes you remind yourself of your topics and assignments, and it gets easier to keep on top of the things you’re learning and retain new information.
To Conclude … You don’t need to follow this to the letter to have a more productive school day. But I found that utilizing the tips helps me stay organized and stress-free in high school, and I really love to work that way!
Makayla
Yah's Girl 