Being at home can feel like you’re still in summer vacation mode, but don’t be fooled! It’s back to business and it is important to stay on top of all your lectures, assignments, exams, and notes.
Act like it’s business as usual with online learning.
It’s important to learn ways to manage your time wisely while you’re staying at home looking at a screen the majority of the time. Try acting like it’s business as usual with online learning! I like to practice waking up early and getting ready for the day as if I was leaving the house. Dress for success! This is a good way to manage your time in the mornings before class if you have synchronous courses and that way you can block time out in between classes and take a break.
Utilize all resources.
Aside from synchronous classes, with online learning, many professors have optional live sessions to aid with lecture, if your time permits, attend them as much as possible. I found it helpful to reach out to my professors so they know where I am in the course material and I know that I’m doing my best to learn.
Schedule everything.
I like to utilize all forms of scheduling to engrain in my brain important dates. I have a large calendar on my wall where I put all my exam and assignment dates, little post its on my desk with my weekly to do list that I make at the end of each week, I set notifications on my phone to remind me of important dates in case I miss looking at my calendar, and I even make my weekly schedule the lock screen of my phone. Online learning can sometimes feel like vacation and you don’t want to lose focus, so being aware of what’s coming next is key!
Take care of yourself.
After you plan out all your important dates, the most important thing is to take care of yourself. Mental and physical health are the foundation of having a successful semester. I don’t normally eat breakfast, but in a course I took in the first fully virtual semester I had a project where I experimented with what it would be like to take care of my nutrition. I woke up at 6:30AM every morning and made breakfast. Somehow along the way, I started drinking tea and stretching as well! Since my mind and body were in good places, my education followed suit.
Everyone’s experiences are different, so at the end of the day it’s important to find out what works best for you in this new virtual world! Keep your eye on the prize and remember what you’re studying for in the first place! I wish you all the best of luck in your online learning!
Written by Arianna F., a Rutgers—Camden Undergraduate Student and Raptor Ambassador.