Preparing to study during load shedding

Staying on top of your schoolwork in the face of daily load shedding can feel daunting.

But there are a lot of ways to make sure that you can maintain your study schedule, with or without power. No power? No problem.

Here are a few ways for online learners to keep on top of their schoolwork during these dark times.

TL;DR

1. Get ahead of load shedding
2. Plan different work for different times
3. Save your work offline
4. Manage your data
5. Make hard copy notes
6. Have a backup plan for Wi-Fi access
7. Invest in a UPS or power bank
8. Use your digital devices smartly
9. Study with a fellow UCT Online High School learner

Get ahead of load shedding

Make sure you know exactly when your area is scheduled to have power cuts and for how long. That way you can plan your study time accordingly. You can even start your work ahead of time.

Plan different work for different times

Set up a daily schedule that allows you to get your crucial work done before load shedding and revision or study time during load shedding.

Save your work offline

Download all your school notes, assignments or readings to your computer so that you have access to them without Wi-Fi.

Manage your data

When the power goes out and you’re left without Wi-Fi, you’ll need to rely on mobile data. Do your best to make sure that you’re not using data when you don’t need to. That way you can still access the web in case you need to complete any important work.

Make hard copy notes

To make sure you always have access to your study notes, you can write them out by hand. Think about making flashcards, mind maps or bulleted lists. On the plus side, research suggests that writing out notes increases your focus on the information.

You can even print your notes if you have access to a printer. This is another great study method, allowing you to highlight, underline or circle key points in your notes.

Have a backup plan for Wi-Fi access

If you know you have a test or work due during load shedding, make sure you have a plan in place to get to a location that has Wi-Fi.

Invest in a UPS or power bank

If you can, invest in a good UPS or power bank to keep your router and devices running during load shedding.

Use your digital devices smartly

If you don’t have access to a UPS or power bank, make sure to keep your devices (like laptops, cell phones and tablets) fully charged.

Study with a fellow UCT Online High School learner

Ask a fellow learner who lives nearby if you can pop by during load shedding and turn the time into a group study session. This is a great way to see your friends IRL and get some learning done.

Apply now for uninterrupted learning

At UCT Online High School, our unique structured flexibility model allows you to work around load shedding. Apply now for uninterrupted learning.