By Hailey Lawson, Communications Specialist, Florida Virtual School 

Adi Tal, a Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Flex student, appears in costume during a dance performance (middle), stands with fellow participants at an event (left), and celebrates with friends after the FLVS Club Awards ceremony in Orlando, Florida, in April 2026 (right). Through FLVS Flex, Tal balances academics with dance training, competition participation, and enrichment activities.

Every year on Sept. 15, National Online Learning Day recognizes the value of digital education and honors the students and teachers who learn and teach online. For FLVS Flex student Adi Tal, that experience means school days shaped by academics, dance classes, and active involvement in multiple clubs. The 11th‑grader from Brevard County, Fla., shares how she structures a typical day as a virtual student. 

Morning to Midday

No bus to catch, no bell to beat, the coursework starts the moment Tal wakes up, around 8:30 a.m. She settles in at a desk in her family's home office and opens her laptop to begin the day's assignments. After an hour or two of steady work, breakfast interrupts the routine, then it's back to her courses for a few more hours before lunch. Moving through coursework at a faster pace than required opens up room in her schedule for what comes next: daily dance classes and club meetings.

Her afternoons shift from schoolwork to the dance studio, where she spends about 10 hours a week practicing ballet and contemporary dance. She spends the rest of her afternoons in clubs, a routine shared by many FLVS Flex students who balance coursework with other passions outside of school.

During the 2025–26 school year, Tal participated in three FLVS clubs: 

• Environmental Club

• Community Service Empowering Action, Generosity, Leadership, and Empathy Club (EAGLES)

• Creative Writing Club

Adi's leadership has impacted fellow club members and advisors alike.

“Adi consistently creates an inclusive environment where others feel valued and part of the Environmental Club,” said Jennifer Cherry, FLVS Environmental Club sponsor. “She brings fresh perspectives, demonstrates initiative, and inspires others to engage in learning and environmental stewardship.”

She held leadership roles in both the Environmental Club and EAGLES and plans to continue her involvement in those organizations while exploring new opportunities this school year.

According to Environmental Club sponsor Megan McCormick, Adi's curiosity and engagement have helped shape the club's work.

“She has asked questions that have inspired our club members to attempt some organized legislative advocacy this year to change things for the better here in Florida,” McCormick said.

How late she works depends on how much coursework she still has to finish. Dinner with her family follows, then she returns to her assignments before bed. On nights when the workload runs long, she wraps up close to bedtime; on lighter nights, the extra time goes to family, friends, or a book.

How She Plans Her Week

Each week starts with a count: how many assignments are due, and by when. Tal logs them into her own personalized online calendar, then works backward from a target completion date, assigning due dates around dance, club meetings, and whatever else the week holds. From there, she follows the plan for the day and adjusts as needed.

Note-taking follows a similar rhythm. Tal works through every assignment in a module first, then circles back to the lesson pages to fill out guided notes ahead of a discussion-based assessment (DBA) or test.

What Keeps Her on Track

Momentum, more than routine, drives Tal's motivation. 

"I just do my schoolwork because I know it has to be done," she said, adding that finishing an assignment often fuels the next one. A text or call with friends often does the same, helping her refocus before diving back in.

Resets, when she needs them, are small: a conversation with family or friends, or a snack. Lunch itself isn't a distinct ritual; she eats and then returns to coursework. 

Tal does most of her coursework independently and reaches out to her teacher when she has a question. 

"I usually text my teachers whenever I need help, and they are always there to answer any questions," she said. 

Tal said she prefers working on her own most of the time and doesn't need much day-to-day support, even though it's there when she does. For encouragement, she turns to her parents, who she said are always there to motivate her.

What Sets Her Schedule Apart

Tal says her favorite part of being a virtual student is completing coursework on her own timeline rather than on a set schedule. Her routine blends intensity with flexibility: she works year‑round, often continuing through summer to stay on track with her goals, yet she also has the option to take a day off whenever she needs it. 

The flexibility of virtual learning also gives Tal time to pursue her other interests. When she has free time, she practices piano and plays chess. She also volunteers weekly at her ballet studio, assisting with classes and rehearsals for younger dancers. In addition, Tal has participated in theater, most recently in Peter Pan, and hopes to return to the stage.

For Tal, that combination, a packed, self‑directed schedule and the freedom to adjust it, defines what a typical day as a virtual student looks like.

Read more student stories from across Florida Virtual School.