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A Guide to Surviving Online Classes: The New Norm

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Amherst chapter.

Today, there’s a lot happening in our world, and it’s important to be informed about it. There’s hundreds of schools changing to remote learning, including high schools, middle schools, colleges, and even elementary schools. This is a huge change for everyone, and we are living in history, which is crazy but scary! Most people are even working from home, except for essential businesses and employees. During this tough time, it’s good to know that it’s okay for this to feel weird and confusing. But just remember: everyone’s going through it, too. For now, this is our new normal. So, here’s some tips for getting back into the school schedule at home!

Try not to do work on your bed. Studies have shown that doing work on your bed isn’t the best plan if you’re trying to do homework or study. Your body automatically relates your bed to sleep, so when you do work there, it can make you more tired or even keep you awake at night! Have a place where you can do work such as a desk or an office.

Set up your desk. Since this is going to be your new workspace for a while, make it comfortable. If you need organization, take time to clean your space. If you like a certain style, make it your own. Be sure to have all your school materials nearby and make it a place you can focus and study hard at.

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Set a routine. This new online schooling can leave you feeling all over the place, not knowing how to separate school and being home. In order to keep your head back in school mode during the week, try and set alarms for the morning, watch lectures during the day, and study and do homework at night. This way, it’ll feel a bit more like your back at school. Take time to FaceTime those friends from campus too!

Have a planner. Write down your daily work and tasks to keep track of what you have to do. These are super helpful when you have trouble remembering or keeping your mind focused on what you have to do!

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Pexels / Alana Sousa

Force yourself to go to classes. I know this one can be hard, but your professors are most likely working extremely hard to make sure their lectures are going up on time for you to get the best education you can. Even if you don’t want to go, do it for them. It can be super hard to pay attention too, so try and place your phone somewhere else or even turn it off.

Set specific times to study and break. Although school is important, it’s good for you to set break times in between. Whether you have a meal or just relax, take these times to take a breath from all your schoolwork.

Self-care. This includes eating meals, getting enough sleep, and making sure your mental health is okay. Self-care doesn’t only include face masks and meditation. (Although those are good too!) It includes making sure your body is feeling good and taking care of yourself in ways you might forget to during a busy day. Take this extra time at home to learn a new hobby, binge a new show, or even learn new recipes! It’s a great way to take some time for yourself.

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Photo by Maierean Andrei from Pexels

This is a really strange time for everyone. Reach out to people you know if you’re feeling uneasy and make sure to keep up with what’s happening around you. Take care of you, and most importantly, stay home!

All images are courtesy of the HerCampus Media Library

Elizabeth Mooney

U Mass Amherst '22

As a senior at UMass Amherst, Elizabeth Mooney is studying Community Education and Social Change and is so excited to be writing for HerCampus for her third year! She writes articles on lifestyle, relationships, and college life so check them out! Feel free to follow her Instagram: @lizmooney02
Contributors from the University of Massachusetts Amherst