I know this is a crazy, unprecedented, and lonely time. The last thing we all need is for things like homework, readings, and tests to add to our stress. It’s one thing to just not want to do your work, and trust me we’ve all been there, but it’s another thing to struggle with adjusting to working online. It can be boring to look at your computer screen all day, but here are a few things I’ve experimented with to find success throughout Zoom.
Stickies
Since I’m already on my computer all day, it’s easier to have reminders on it, so I know there is a greater chance of me looking at them then if I were to write them on a Post-It note and move on. I didn’t know about this Mac application, called Stickies, until about a year ago, but on any Apple computer there is an option to display virtual sticky notes on your desktop which you can write reminders on. Learn more about it here. It has helped me stay on track of my goals and responsibilities and hopefully it will do the same for you.
Timers
My family has attempted to have group breakfast at 9:30 every morning regardless of when our classes are. Some days this does not always follow through, but getting up earlier on the days where I don’t have a live class until 4:00 pm has made me feel more productive and engaged. As well, a friend told me she found herself feeling very anxious because she is always afraid she’s missing a class. I told her it could be helpful to set an alarm 5 minutes before class starts, so she doesn’t have to keep thinking about it. Another thing that helps me, and that I can not express enough how helpful it is, is to have your schedule printed out on your desk. It helps with scheduling times to visit with your loved ones, work out, eat, and have some down time. Staying on top of your schedule is key to making sure assignments are handed in on time and exams are studied for.
Emails
While our minds might be busy, I’m sure we all have a little more down time on our hands during this crazy time of life. Meaning, your professors are ready as ever to talk to you, read your emails, and help if you find yourself struggling. A few weeks ago I emailed my calculus professor asking a question and he replied within 5 minutes, I believe, addressing my concern. Yes, it can depend on the professor, but if you’re feeling a little lost and not sure what you need to be doing in your classes, it couldn’t hurt to just email your professor and say, ‘hey, I’m feeling somewhat lost, what are the main things we should focus on this week?’ Most of my professors have office hours too, so if yours do too, that’s another great time to reach out.
Many people are feeling lost, including myself, and a lot of people don’t act on that feeling to achieve productivity. Students that take the extra step to engage with professors stand out, especially at schools with over 20,000 undergraduate students like UMass Amherst. This is a challenging time, but it’s important to focus on the things you can control.
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