Like many of you, I am completing my semester at home. Although it has definitely been an adjustment taking all my classes on Zoom, I have grown to enjoy my routine and really focus on myself.
Here are Some Tips I have for Surviving Remote Learning:
- Keep your Workspace/ Room Clean!
I always like to say that a clean room is a clean mind. Living and working in a clean space helps to reduce stress and focus your attention where it’s needed. Since I complete all work in my room, I make it a priority to clean it at least once a day.
2. Make your Bed Every Morning!
Although making your bed seems as though it shouldn’t be prioritized, I perceive on the contrary. Making your bed first thing in the morning, starts your day on a good note. It provides a small sense of accomplishment which allows you to pursue the day with more pride and composure. The task itself is also very calming, which for me, helps to reduce anxiety for the day ahead.
3. Keep an Organized Planner!
Whether it’s a paper agenda or an electronic calendar, keeping a planner is essential for staying on top of your work and alleviating stress. I personally use a paper agenda because I feel that I am able to retain more when I physically write things down.
4. Ditch the Pajamas!
Although I’m only traveling to my desk , I still try to dress up as though I am going somewhere. My outfits are never anything special; usually just a sweat set or leggings. However, taking the time to pick out an outfit (even if it a lazy outfit) helps me feel more confident and ultimately, inspires me to be more productive throughout the day. I definitely participate more in my classes when I know I don’t look like I have just rolled out of bed (lol).
5. Get Cooking!
Being stuck in quarantine, there is very little to look forward to throughout the day. At this point, every day seems to repetitive: school, homework, bed, and repeat. The one thing I recommend to add some variation to your day is by cooking. Each day, I try to cook something different so I have something new to look forward to. Whether it is oatmeal, pasta, or avocado toast, switching up your diet day to day adds a small ounce of excitement and flavor (literally lol). I also find cooking to be very therapeutic and an escape from the stresses of school.
6. Get Enough Sleep!
If there is one thing I’ve learned about remote learning, it is the harsh reality of “Zoom fatigue”. Staring at a computer all day is extremely tiresome and often keeps me from paying attention and engaging in class. To try to prevent this, I have tried to stick to a good sleep schedule, ensuring I get a solid eight hours every night. If this isn’t enough, I sometimes take a power nap in between classes to recharge. Although Zoom fatigue is almost inevitable at this point, getting enough sleep does help to reduce this effect.
7. Treat Yourself!
Remote learning is HARD. Although remote learning is a reality for almost everyone right now, we still need to give ourselves credit for adapting to such an abnormal learning experience. This being said, I think it’s important to reward yourself at least once a week. Typically, I treat myself with a Starbucks coffee every Wednesday and a breakfast sandwich every Friday. These small rewards not only motivate me to get through the week, but also serve to remind me that hard work should pay off.
8. Get Moving!
Although my busy schedule often prevents me from working out, I still aim to find time to move in some way. One of the easiest ways to get some exercise is just walking. Getting some air and taking in the sunny weather helps to alleviate stress and literally just escape the house. Being in classes all day often makes me feel trapped and isolated from the world. Even taking a short walk helps to prevent this anxiety and reboot before going back to work. When I do have time to workout, I love yoga and pilates.
9. Stay in Touch with Reality!
Although this one might seem pretty obvious and go without saying, it is still very important. Like many remote learners, I have lost out on the social aspect of college while being at home. It definitely has not been easy being away from my friends, however, FaceTime calls, daily texts, and snapchatting has helped me to stay connected. Talking to friends really offers an escape and serves as a reminder that there is more to life than just taking classes from a computer.
10. Focus on the Positives!
COVID has been hard on everyone. For college students, we are losing out on some of the best years of our life. However, a negative mind does not do anything but hold you back. This being said, it is most important to maintain a positive and hopeful mindset through all of this. Yes, we are missing out on so much, but “it is what it is” (TikTok reference lol). Appreciating the little things in each and every day truly aids in feeling happier. We all need to find things that make us happy and focus our energy on that, rather than dwelling on our misfortunes. For me personally, I have enjoyed taking up new hobbies, spending more time with my family, and writing for my blog.
You got this!
Thanks for reading!
Aria 🙂
