Quarantine was hard on all of us. Between the social isolation and the online classes, we all struggled, especially those of us in school. Most young adults are social people who rely on a face-to-face connection to thrive and for many, that was lost. Many college students had to make the transition to online classes without any in-person connection with their peers and professors. I know we all have our opinions on online classes, but here are my tips to survive your online classes!
- Establish a routine
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Having a routine was something I failed to establish my first semester of college, and I paid for it. Without a routine, I failed to set time aside to work on assignments and did something different every day. Setting my routine this semester has been the best decision ever. Devoting time for each class you have to work for can be helpful. Getting up at a set time and getting down to business will help your productivity.
- Get to know your professors
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Not having in person interactions with your professors can be tough, but these are the people that will one day be your mentor or your recommender for grad school, so create a relationship with them. Send them an email introducing yourself to them. If they don’t know you, you’re really just a name on a roster to them. It will always be a positive note to be on their good side.
- Goal set
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To maximize your productivity, make a list of things you want to accomplish. Whether it’s a big or small list, having a list of what you need to do will allow you to get a good look at your goals for the day.
- Learn how to be flexible
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When taking an online class, you never know what life will throw at you. Whether it’s an internet problem or a Zoom issue, being adaptable and flexible will be a great skill to have. Office hours and library resources may all be virtual now, but they are still there for you to use and with your flexibility, you will be able to succeed.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
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As college students, we don’t always want to ask for help. In times like this, we should not feel bad about asking for help. Ask your professors if you need help with an assignment, talk to a therapist on campus or ask someone in the technology department for help with Zoom. Lean on people during these times, and doing so will help you in your success at the end of the day.
For all the college students struggling with online learning, we are all in this together, and we will make it through this pandemic together. We will!