Learning from home can be stressful. You’re working right near the places you like to relax, your roommates are on different schedules than you, and it’s difficult to focus on being productive when your Nintendo Switch is, like, right there. Luckily, there are a few ways you can make things easier.
- Don’t always work in the same place.
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Switch it up! If you can, do video calls in one spot, work from another. On a nice day, work outside. A change of scenery can be just the thing to motivate yourself.
- Keep your laptop clean.
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Make it part of the routine, you have to stare at it all day.
- Breaks are essential.
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Your eyes are important. If you’re spending all day staring at a screen, you’ll want to mitigate the damage as much as possible. You also need to care for the rest of your body. Try to give yourself five-minute screen breaks every hour or so. Don’t check your phone or sit in the same spot, move. Stretch! If you’re between classes, try moving around for 10 minutes and pretend you’re on your way to class. This will keep you alert and save you from a lot of pain.
- Stay organized.
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Invest in a planner, making sure it’s one you like and won’t get sick of. Keep all of your assignment due dates stored in it. If you can, add assigned readings or a reminder to make sure your readings are finished. This will help you to not be overwhelmed and anxious about falling behind.
- Water.
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Being at home, you might not be carrying a water bottle around with you, so you might forget to get your daily six glasses. Hydration helps you to focus! Set reminders on your phone to get another glass, if you need to.
- Keep everyone in the house up to date about your schedule.
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There’s nothing worse than being in a Zoom meeting while your roommates blast “WAP” upstairs, not knowing the trouble they’re causing.
- Get comfortable!
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Set up your workspace in a way that makes you happy. Campus style and “No Food” rules are a thing of the past. Wear slippers, get a blanket, keep a jar of snacks at the ready. This is your house, you make the rules.
How do these strategies work for you? Let us know in the comments!