If you're a student in the year of 2020, then you're living in a time where covid-19 has made schooling FAR from normal. Most schools, including colleges are switching to be completely online, or are at least doing some sort of a hybrid. It's going to be interesting for everyone, but it is what it is.
Typically, online courses require more time management and discipline than what we're used to. We don't have teachers looming over our shoulders, making sure that the work gets done. We have to be even more independent and on top of our game. It's a different experience entirely.
I've had quite a few online courses throughout my schooling and I liked them, but I never imagined that I would have a schedule that is completely online. During the beginning part of 2020, we already had a little taste of what virtual school would be like, and now we are tasked with figuring out how to make the most of it for the foreseeable future.
So to help out my fellow students (especially freshmen...I'm so sorry this is how your first year of college is starting), here we go.
Set aside a designated time to do your classes. (wake up and get ready like you're going to class)
This tip is mainly for morale. Wearing sweatpants all day is fun and all, but after a few weeks, it starts to take a toll on you. You feel lazier. Less motivated. I found that getting up early and getting ready helps me to get my mind on doing school. It makes me feel like I'm actually getting up to go somewhere. Gotta get my serotonin wherever I can
It's really easy to procrastinate your work, especially if your professor just uploads all of the learning material and lets you go at your own pace. You'll keep on saying that you'll "do it tomorrow," but we all know how that goes. So to avoid this, set up specific times for you to do each class and stick to the time. Make it a habit.
Study/do homework in intervals
This is something that goes for both in-person and online schooling. We can only pay attention to one subject or assignment for set amount of time, after that, we don't absorb anymore information. So instead of suffering and struggling to pay attention, take a break. Pick a class or assignment and work on it in intervals of 15 minutes or 30 minutes or even an hour and once that time has passed, take a break for maybe 15 minutes and then move onto some other assignment.
If your classes are set-up to where you have to log in at a specific time, I think that it's especially important to take a break after each class is over. It's difficult to pay attention to someone talking on a screen for over an hour, and it can strain your eyes too. Find something to do that doesn't involve a screen and let your eyes and mind rest.
Use a planner (make an assignment due date calendar)
The list of things to do can pile up, especially this semester when we are doing a lot on our own. It always helps me to write down the things that I need to do so that I can remember each item and cross it off when I finish it.
If you don't have a planner, you can look online for some printable calendar pages and put it in an area where you would be forced to look at it everyday so that you won't forget assignments, tests, or the fact that you need to log on to your class at 3:30, lol.
Go somewhere with no distractions (put your phone on do not disturb)
Pretty obvious, but also very helpful. Phones were a distraction when we were physically ON campus...but now that we are doing school from home we are surrounded by so many other things that we would rather be doing like sleeping, watching tv, eating, and literally anything else. It's important to put the distractions aside as much as possible so that you can give your school work your full attention. Out of sight, out of mind.
Make group chats for your classes
If you are able, find some people who are in your class and make a group chat. You can talk about concepts you are confused about or maybe even study together virtually.
What are some other things that aid in doing online schooling? Let me know so I can add to this list.
I wish you all the best. Now let's get to work.
Kae
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