At Miami Palmetto Senior High, 300 courses are offered, 36 of which are Advanced Placement courses. With that many courses and graduation requirements, it can sometimes be hard to complete all the required classes within four years of high school because of all of these interesting classes. Many times, students search for ways to stay on track for graduation, or even get ahead by taking classes during summer break. This is where Florida Virtual School comes into play.
FLVS is a learning platform that many students use to fulfill these requirements. From art to history classes, FLVS offers over 200 courses for high school students. Many students prefer to take these classes over the summer to minimize stress typically felt during the regular school year. While summer offers an opportunity to get ahead of coursework, this part of the year is particularly distracting because of the extra free time that students often use to have fun and relax before returning to school. Here is how one can take an FLVS course over the summer the right way.
Do Not Procrastinate
It is easy to have a “whenever works” mindset when taking the online courses, but procrastination can be a killer. If a summer course is not finished by the end of summer, then the class must be finished during the school year, which defeats the point of getting ahead. Instead, procrastinating may add more to one’s workload for the upcoming school year.
“You think you have all the time in the world, but you really do not,” FLVS teacher and facilitator Steve Batten said.
Treat It Like an Actual Class
While it may seem like an insignificant summer class, it is important to treat FLVS courses as real classes. Taking notes, studying and practicing the material are all vital methods to ensuring an A in the class. Set time aside each day to complete work consistently.
“From the very beginning, having a goal in mind,” FLVS full-time teacher Nicole Hertz said.
Hertz teaches and oversees hundreds of students a year, and it is her job to help them succeed. Alongside sending constant reminders to students to do their work, FLVS teachers also provide individualized guidance upon request.
“Asking your teacher for a pacing guide to end by a certain date is really helpful to stay on track,” Hertz said.
Register early
Most courses take time to register and get assigned to a teacher. This time can be valuable, especially when taking courses within a set time period.
“I would definitely register before summer begins, so usually the end of May, first week of June,” student services chairperson and school counselor Lisa Mallard said.
Registering for courses early is important so one can be assigned a teacher, receive approval for their courses and have ample time to complete their work.
While FLVS can be difficult and unmotivating at times, it is important to move past these hardships to ace summer courses and achieve one’s goals.
