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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Toronto MU chapter.

The year of 2020 has been challenging to say the least. With a global pandemic keeping everyone isolated and in their homes, human connection has been lacking more than ever. Unfortunately for students, the need for human connection will not be satisfied this school year. 

Instead of sitting in lectures surrounded by hundreds of people or walking down crowded streets with friends, everything has moved to the virtual world this year. While online classes have some benefits to it, they can still be quite difficult to adjust to. 

Here are some ways to make the most out of your online schooling:

Get rid of distractions

One of the most challenging parts of learning online is the fact you’re stuck at home with every distraction possible. Anything can cloud your focus and stop you from becoming your best productive self, whether it be a pesky family member or an overenthusiastic pet. The best thing to do is to find a room away from all these diversions and lock yourself in for however long you need to get your classwork done. Don’t forget to leave anything that could sidetrack you outside of the room – sometimes, that means your cell phone. With all interferences outside a closed door while you’re inside, you’ll have no choice but to focus on your work, allowing you to maximize your productivity.

Plan accordingly

Staying organized is one of the most important skills to have in order to make sure you’re always being productive. This is especially important when dealing with online classes. Sometime during the first week of school, dedicate an hour or so to go through your syllabus for each class and write down your due dates on whatever method you use to keep track (it could be your planner, Google Calendar, sticky notes on your desktop, etc.). Another step you could take to really make sure you don’t miss a deadline is to schedule a reminder on your phone a week or two before the assignment is due. This will give you enough time to start thinking about the assignment without feeling overwhelmed or like you don’t have enough time to complete it. 

Stay connected

While meeting in person may be out of the question, there are still plenty of ways you can catch up with friends online! Apart from the obvious social media pages, browser add-ons like Netflix Party and online games like skribbl.io can be a fun way to connect with friends and unwind after a stressful week. Group FaceTime calls can also be a great way to share notes or replicate the feeling of studying at the SLC. Even though you can’t see them physically, keeping up with friends is just as crucial as keeping up with work. Don’t be afraid to take breaks and have fun! Your school experience shouldn’t just be 100 per cent about academics.

Hopefully by following these tips, you can have a better online school experience and a slightly less stressful school year. Good luck!

Keisha Balatbat

Toronto MU '21

Pop culture enthusiast.
Zainab is a 4th-year journalism student from Dubai, UAE who is the Editor-in-Chief of Her Campus at Ryerson. When she's not taking photos for her Instagram or petting dogs on the street, she's probably watching a rom-com on Netflix or journaling! Zainab loves The Bold Type and would love to work for a magazine in New York City someday! Zainab is a feminist and fierce advocate against social injustice - she hopes to use her platform and writing to create change in the world, one article at a time.