As we all know, this semester came to a sudden and quick end, at least for in-person classes. As we all try to navigate the routine of a self-quarantined, virtual university student, it is more important than ever to stay organized. We’re all impatiently waiting to resume “normal” life and for summer to begin, but we all need to remain focused on schoolwork so that we can do our best and come out happy with what we achieved after this problematic semester.
It’s normal to be stressed about school. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, over 1.8 million Canadians who describe every day as extremely stressful are aged 18-34, which includes those in post-secondary education. Many of us may be feeling the stress now more than ever. Some students may have taken online classes before, and some research has suggested that online courses can help eliminate anxiety. However, the sudden and full switch of every class to an online platform may be overwhelming.
Because of this, I wanted to share 3 tips with you to help you stay organized, on top of work and successful this semester.
- Make Plans
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I feel as though planning is the most important part of organizing your academic life. I keep a day planner and a large whiteboard calendar to keep track of tasks near and far. All of my due dates and tasks are laid out for me to see so I never miss anything. An academic study found that short-term planning connected to better grades than long-term planning. To take advantage of this, try planning out what you want to do each day, rather than weeks or months at a time. This helps you to focus on specific tasks and not get overwhelmed by everything you have to do for the rest of the semester. Take it one step, and one day, at a time.
- Ask Questions
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While it isn’t as easy to simply raise your hand and ask a question when you’re attending class online, it is still important that you ask questions if you have them. Now more than ever you may have trouble fully understanding a concept or idea through a virtual classroom, not to mention the camera lag and Wi-Fi buffering that may make the lecture even harder to understand. Make sure that you are getting everything you can out of class time so that you will excel on your assignments. If you don’t get a chance to ask during the class, email a prof or ask a friend. Remember to focus on you and ensuring you understand what you’re paying to learn!
- Take Breaks
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This is one thing that was drilled into my head in first year while taking BF290. Study in smaller, concentrated sessions and take breaks between them. I find that this method makes me more motivated and allows me to de-stress between. I often have trouble writing essays but find myself on a roll after I step away and come back later. In fact, a study found that spacing your work over several days, rather than in one sitting, leads to better retention of information. So not only does this method help you work around your busy life and to de-stress, but also to learn better!
I hope these tips helped and I wish you all the best with the rest of the semester!