Tips and Tricks for Virtual Learning

First and foremost: be kind to yourself. We are living through weird and scary times, and the added stress of online learning is overwhelming. At first, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough in online school. However, it’s important to recognize we are all trying to figure out how to handle such an unprecedented situation. Be kind to yourself, and take steps that make the most sense for you. Remember that you’re not alone. Here’s what I do to remind myself of this:

1. Talk frequently with friends via FaceTime or Zoom.
2. Make over the top snacks and coffee drinks, because why not!
3. Go outside for at least an hour a day.
4. Listen to my body and rest or take breaks when needed.

When we first shifted to online learning, I found myself goofing off way too much. I would cook, exercise, or browse social media during my classes instead of actively paying attention. To me, it seemed harmless since I was technically listening to the course content. I found myself falling behind, which left me feeling foolish. I realized that although school was virtual, I needed to treat it with some resemblance of when it was in-person. Here’s what I do:

1. Turn my phone to silent while in class or doing work. If possible, putting it in another room also helps.
2. Bring snacks to Zoom class (in case a craving hits!).
3. If available, find a quiet place to sit with my earphones in.
4. Use the Zoom chat feature as a means for participation.

In my experience, my professors have been extremely understanding of the challenges students face in virtual learning. Cameras can feel invasive, WiFi doesn’t always work, and sometimes class can seem chaotically pointless. But it’s important to remember that professors are a resource for you, and it’s important to reach out if needed. Here’s what I do:

1. Use virtual office hours to gain a better grasp on content.
2. Ask for extra time on assignments if needed – the answer isn’t always yes, but it’s worth asking!
3. Keep my professors updated on how I’m doing mentally or emotionally, and how my work is affected.

I can’t say that I’ve mastered the idea of prioritizing assignments over binge-watching TV. I’m a master procrastinator. Just last week I watched the entire season of Bling Empire on Netflix instead of writing a paper. With that being said, here are things I’ve been trying to do:

1. Visually laying out which assignments are due for certain classes and when they’re due.
2. Adding TV shows and movies to a long watch list -I try and be very picky about what gets put on the list!
3. Setting reminders for due dates well in advance.
4. Work In Progress: Recently I’ve tried completing all of my school related work before 7:00 p.m., so I can have the rest of the night to either study, watch some content, or both!
5. Taking a break when needed – if I ever find myself becoming increasingly anxious, I take a quick YouTube video break!

We’re all trying to adjust to a new mode of learning and interaction online. It’s challenging and people find their own unique ways of coping. I hope these tips and tricks helped, but I hope you are able to find new and creative ways to better navigate online learning. After all, we’re all in this together.