With the outbreak of the coronavirus, schools across the country have transitioned to online learning platforms for the remainder of the academic year. While change isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can certainly be confusing and scary, especially for the social butterflies of the world who hate being isolated! Whether you’re in high school or college, here are some tips for learning from the confines of your computer screen.
Set up a quiet workspace
If you share a room with a sibling (or have little ones running around the house), it can be difficult to stay focused. Try to establish a quiet space for yourself where you‘ll have minimal distractions: an unoccupied office, your at-home gym, or even the laundry room. It doesn’t have to be special, but ask your family to refrain from coming into that space for a designated period of time every day. (Keep in mind that if you choose to make your comfy bed your workspace, you’re likely to fall asleep.) You can also work outside on your balcony, porch, or a blanket in the grass if the weather’s nice. The Vitamin D will do you good!
Get into a routine
One of the biggest challenges students are facing right now is being thrown off their usual routines. While sleeping in, staying in your pajamas, and lounging around the house all day may seem like a dream, you’ll soon realize there’s a reason school has been forcing students into a routine for centuries: routine equals productivity!
Instead of waking up at 8:00 am one day and 2:00 pm the next, try establishing some regularity in your daily schedule. If your online classes are happening at the same time as they normally would in person, make an effort to get ready for the day before they start. Go on a morning run, take a shower, have a cup of coffee, and/or get dressed before sitting down at your computer. You will feel much more motivated to learn if you both dress and play the part.
Related: How to Get Adjusted to a New Schedule
Stay social
You may not be in a classroom full of students and friends anymore, but you can (and should) maintain the social aspect of school virtually. We’re more equipped today to be social from a distance than ever before—it’s 2020 after all! There are a multitude of apps that can make social connection and online learning not only doable but fun, so take advantage of them. Even if you’re not into social media (like me), you can still enjoy things like Netflix Party and FaceTime—two apps I’ve been using nonstop—both to chill out and study with friends. Many school clubs and sports teams are even holding virtual events, so check those out and mark up your calendar! It’s also not a bad idea to pencil in phone dates with friends and family to keep in touch; just actually pencil them in so you commit to them and don’t forget.
Don’t lose sight of your goals
Just because school has moved online for the rest of the year doesn’t mean you should slack off. We’re all still students—whether we’re in a physical classroom or not—and while it may feel as though the world is ending and nothing matters anymore, the reality is: this pandemic will end.
When everything is under control and we return to normal life again, you may be applying to college, an internship, a job, or graduate school. What you do now to prepare for that day is up to you. Think about how far you’ve come in your academic journey so far—wouldn’t it be a shame to quit now? Remind yourself of the goals you’ve been working toward all year and keep at it!
Related: How to Set Reasonable Expectations for the New School Year
Working your hardest is all about your mindset, and with these tips, hopefully you can get back in the headspace of a dedicated student. As Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can't—you're right.” Stay safe and best of luck!
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