The recent COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rather interesting way of ending the school year. Never in a million years would I have thought that this would be how I would end my first year at college. While I am grateful that I am able to spend my time social-distancing at home instead of dorms, this situation is obviously not ideal for all parties involved. Being at home with family is nice, but it also puts my mind on what I am calling “Permanent Vacation Mode.” The motivation to get up and attend online lectures is quickly dwindling with each zoom notification I get.
Here are some survival tips that I have picked up thus far:
- Pre-Plan Your Day
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Having a planner or bullet journal to plan out your day really helps with productivity. Unfortunately, I left my planner back at dorms, so I’m using a calendar instead. Having certain tasks fall under certain hours of the day creates the illusion of a daily routine. It acts as a motivating factor to get work done. For me, it helps me break out of my “Permanent Vacation Mode” mindset. Instead of waking up at 1 PM for instance, I’m actually getting up earlier at around 8 AM to eat breakfast and work out.
- Keep Track of Your New Class Schedule
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Many of my classes have altered lecture times to account for different time zones. Large classes with multiple sections have also condensed down to one lecture that can host everyone. Therefore, making a new class schedule on paper really helps to organize time shifts. For instance, if you live in the Central Time Zone as I do, that one hour difference may subconsciously trip you up. I have my schedule taped onto the wall above my desk.
- Schedule in Advance for Tests
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I recently had a wake-up call when I realized that my next four midterms were all coming up in one week. That is approximately ten days since transitioning to online classes. I am not prepared. Not only are most of my notebooks back in dorms, but also all of my textbooks. Given that midterms are approaching soon, I decided to also look ahead to see when Finals were. Planning out when your next midterms and finals are is a great way to destress a bit. Having everything organized out mentally prepares you to face them.
- Move Around The House
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It might not be the worst idea to not study in your room. For me at least, my room has too many distractions. Getting up and moving your study set-up into a different part of the house—dining table, living room, basement—can really boost your productivity. Moving to a new location also gives you an excuse to stretch your legs for a bit and walk around; it’s not the healthiest just sitting in one spot for the whole day.
- Take Some Breaks
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This goes without saying, but take a few breaks throughout the day to reorient yourself. It can be so easy to feel overwhelmed by everything. Watch an episode from your favorite Netflix show, or do some cleaning around the house. We are all going to get through this pandemic and academic semester together.