COVID and Online College Classes
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted major sectors of society, including higher learning. It has forced college classes worldwide to adjust to the “new normal,” moving them to virtual classrooms online.
The sudden move to Google Hangouts, Zoom meetings, and other chatrooms, has proven difficult for some students because not everyone has the necessary bandwidth, or access to resources.
Some people have urged colleges and universities to freeze and push back the academic calendar to make it fair for the people who don’t share the same privilege.
Now that learning has shifted to online platforms, students and teachers need time to adjust to the new standard. Educational institutions across the globe have achieved this by training teachers to simulate classroom settings while teaching lessons remotely. They’ve also provided access to gadgets and other electronics to students who do not have access.
Skill-based programs continue to be challenging amidst the pandemic, as most of the curriculums call for hands-on training and experience. Despite the school and government’s joint efforts to make education accessible, students remain unable to focus.
As COVID casts a grim shadow over the labor market for fresh graduates, young adults fear for their job prospects and career options while the economy rides out the pandemic.
We’ve compiled some quick tips to keep you motivated and hopeful in spite of these troubling events.
Tips to Create a Productive Environment
With the government urging people to stay at home, it’s critical to make yourself a workspace that allows you to focus on your studies. Setting it up away from distractions will help you get the most out of your online classes.
Here are more tips for creating a productive environment:
Choose a location away from your home’s common areas.
Your workspace should be easy to access but detached from areas where your family gathers. Place it far from the living room, kitchen, and other places to minimize interruptions for both you and your family.
The location plays heavily into your productivity, so take as much time as you need to plan it.
Buy yourself a desk.
If you don’t own a desk, consider getting one. It will give you the sense of a designated workspace.
Feel free to fill it up with books and other items if that’s your style. A desk’s tidiness does not have an impact on your productivity—some studies support the notion that a messy desk represents a better imaginative function.
Make sure everything you need is working and within your reach.
You want your classes to proceed as seamlessly as possible. Ensuring that all your tools are within arm’s length will allow you to pay more attention to the lesson.
If you notice faulty wiring or dead sockets around your home, contact your electric providers for repairs so that you can get back to your studies.
Invest in computer peripherals.
A good-quality mic, keyboard, and earbuds can be immensely beneficial for virtual classrooms. Consider replacing worn-out equipment to avoid technical mishaps as you conduct your online classes.
Tips to Stay Motivated While Taking Online College Classes
The tricky part of studying from home is finding the motivation to focus on the lessons and avoid procrastination.
Follow these tips to stay alert and keep yourself motivated:
Establish a workspace.
Sitting in on a virtual classroom can be chaotic if you don’t have a designated workspace. We don’t recommend studying on your bed because it may lull you to sleep or delay your tasks. The simplest way to boost your productivity is to create a study nook.
Get rid of distractions.
Another tip to make the most out of your online classes is to steer clear of distractions. It can be your phone, TV, or pets.
You should also set aside your phone and other streaming devices until you’ve finished all your schoolwork.
Allot a schedule for your schoolwork.
Studying from home will take its toll if you don’t prioritize your day. If you push yourself to complete all your goals at once, you will not do any of the tasks efficiently.
Planning a schedule will help you minimize stress and give you the necessary time to refresh and recover so that you have more energy to accomplish tasks. A to-do list in order of importance helps, too.
Don’t rush yourself.
We are in the middle of a crisis, and it’s understandable to feel pressured. Depending on your living situation, you may have more responsibilities than if you stayed in a dorm.
Show yourself some compassion and pace yourself. Regular semesters last for five months, so you shouldn’t force yourself to finish all your schoolwork in two weeks.
