Part 2: How to prepare for a successful online school year
I promised to return with some more things to keep in might throughout the new school year.
Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
This Bible verse says it all. The most important thing to remember this school year is Who you are working for. Here are some helpful thoughts.
1. When writing an essay, have a title that has to appear on the top of the page with the name of the student, course, teacher and date. Remember to cross your ‘t’s and dot your ‘i’s. This includes putting a capital letter at the beginning of a sentence and punctuation at the end. A paragraph is no less than 2 or 3 sentences long.
2. If an assignment says it should be 150 words, it should be 150. If it says 450 it has to have 450. If you submit something with less then the amount of words specified, it might show that you don’t know how to follow direction. 
3. Do a thorough job on essays and all assignments at the beginning so you don’t have to do it again. Doing your best work the first time will show that you have a good work ethic.
4. Think before you write. Read the questions as many times as you need to in order to understand them. Some answers come easy; others are hard and you might need some help. Don’t be shy to ask for help from your teachers or from your parents.
5. Titus 2:7 reminds us to, “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works”. When you do an assignment and you fail it the first time, it means you need to go back and read your notes or the lesson again. You shouldn’t jump in to take it again, as you may fail it again and you are only losing out on your opportunity to learn.
6. Exodus 20:12 says “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”Don’t lie to your parents. It is against all of the teachings of Jesus. Your family works hard to pay for your school. When you don’t do your job, you are working against yourself. You will have to do your work later and you will have to work twice as much.
7. Remember that when you are online there are glitches sometimes. The technical difficulties don’t come from the teachers. They are not trying to give you a hard time. As in everything, there could be mistakes. Let your teachers know when you have technical issues and we can try to fix the problems.
8. Matthew 7:12 says “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”Don’t be rude to your teachers. Be kind when you ask for help or explanations. Before you are rude to somebody, think about how you feel when somebody is rude to you. Ask yourself “What would Jesus do?”
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
The most important of thing to keep in mind throughout the new school year is that God led you to where you are right now. He has a plan for each and every one of you. Listen to him and you will be successful.
