WFH Study Tips
CREATE A DAILY SCHEDULE/ROUTINE
With classes being a mix of synchronous and asynchronous, it can be hard to have a daily routine driven by our class schedule. When classes were in person, we had a commitment to attend our classes at their meeting time. However, with classes online, only some of them meet on Zoom and some only meet on certain days of the week. Last quarter I found it challenging to motivate myself to watch pre-recorded lectures or attend my class if there was a later meeting time I could attend. To help motivate myself, I created a routine for each day. On days when I had a class that was meeting on Zoom, I would make sure to wake up a little bit before the session, enjoy breakfast, look on Camino to see what I had to complete, and attend the class. On days when I do not have a class meeting on Zoom, I still make sure to wake up at a similar time to create a sense of structure. As time has gone on, with more and more time online for school, I have begun to enjoy my daily routine because it is the one thing that remains consistent in such a tumultuous time.
BREAK UP YOUR DAY WITH TIME OUTSIDE
When we were on campus, my favorite part of my days was walking to and from classes -- our campus is so peaceful and beautiful and I got to see friends and peers. However, with classes online it’s almost too easy to stay inside all day. Each day I make an effort to get outside, whether that means going on a walk or just sitting outside and listening to music. Even though our days are so busy, when I spend time outside, I am able to clear my head. One of my favorite ways to incorporate time outside into my schedule is to go on a walk around campus and call my friends or family. I have an errand to run, I will even opt to walk instead of drive and will listen to music instead.
USE HOMEWORK PLANNER HELP
It can be so easy to miss a homework assignment or discussion post when your classes are not meeting in person. At the beginning of each week, I go through each of my classes on Camino and write down in my planner what assignments I have to complete, and when I want to complete them. Next, I write down extra-curricular activities and the hours I am working for my job. This way all my tasks are in one unified place so I don’t have to go searching through my computer or phone to figure out what I need to do. Between schoolwork, my job, extra-curricular clubs, and spending time doing the things I love- hanging out with my friends, FaceTiming my family, exercising, and watching Game of Thrones- I can lose track of what I need to get done by the end of the work. Having some sort of planner is extremely helpful. There are tons of great options on Amazon and at Target, CVS, or Staples and there are even online homework planners if you prefer that format better.
IF POSSIBLE, CREATE A STUDY SPACE THAT IS SEPARATE FROM YOUR OTHER SPACES
With everything virtual, sometimes when my alarm goes off all I want to do is stay in bed, open my computer and do my work from bed. However, creating a study space that is different from the space where I sleep and relax has helped me stay focused on my studies. I put a small desk in my room and keep my textbooks, notebooks, pens and pencils in the drawers for when I want to do work. Not all my housemates have space in their room to have a desk, so they enjoy working at our dining room table and at our picnic table outside on days when it is sunny out. Working outside is a great alternative if you don’t have space inside as many of us are living in off-campus homes and share our spaces with housemates.