We’ve all faced unprecedented challenges as we navigate the first full semester during the COVID-19 pandemic. Poor Zoom connections and a shorter fall schedule have made it difficult to succeed in class and feel connected with each other. With a little under a month until the end of the fall semester, it’s important to prepare for the final stretch towards finals without succumbing to Zoom burnout. Here are some tips to help you succeed.
- Change Your Zoom Setup
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Whether you have a couple of hybrid classes or you’re working completely remote this semester, sitting in front of a screen for class can be draining. Switching up your routine can help break the cycle of sitting in the same spot for hours. Moving to a different area in your house or dorm or wearing clothes you’d typically wear can imitate the feeling of going to class and refresh your motivation and focus.
- Limit ALL Zoom Events
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As public restrictions continue to fluctuate, you may find yourself balancing zoom club meetings with other virtual social events. While digital platforms are a good way to safely stay connected, all of it is contributing to Zoom exhaustion. A break from weekly club meetings or video chatting with friends every day can preserve your digital stamina and prevent Zoom burnout right before finals.
- Take a Tech Break
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Getting sucked into social media is easier than ever now that a majority of the semester is virtual. However, scrolling through apps while increasing computer time on Zoom can impact your body and mind. Stepping away from your tech to read, cook, exercise, or engage in other activities can give your eyes a much-needed rest and help you refocus when it’s time to re-engage.
- Connect Outside of Zoom
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While it’s easy to connect with others via Zoom or social media, spending extra time in front of a screen after taking online classes can be tiring. Getting out with other people can help you get more exercise and feel more connected to your friends and family. Spending time with the people you live with or meeting up with your friends at a safe distance can replenish the social aspect of your life that has been neglected since the beginning of the pandemic.
- Don’t Forget to Get Active
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With impending deadlines and balancing class and club responsibilities, prioritizing your health may not seem as important until it begins to take a physical toll. If you start to get in a physical slump, something as simple as a walk around campus or your neighborhood could give you the energy and motivation you need to stay productive.
We’re all doing our best to stay afloat right now. No matter your grade, major, or schedule, everyone has been feeling the strain that online classes can cause. As the semester draws to a close, these tips can help you stay focused and motivated to finish your classes on a good note and avoid feeling burnout right before finals.