How to get through classes in a pandemic

By Ruth Kehinde & Holly Feola – Digital Editor & Opinions Editor

Since COVID-19 hit, the world has changed in various ways especially within the education system. Students now have to learn how to stay focused within a pandemic while juggling the challenges of online classes, jobs and social lives. Here are some helpful tips for students who are taking classes in these unfamiliar times: 

1. Have a planner

Regardless if you’re taking your classes solely online, all in-person or flex (consisting of both in-person and online classes), having a planner is essential to not only staying organized but keeping track of assignments and due dates. 

2. Manage your time well

This is crucial, especially with having more time outside of the classroom, it can be easier to put things off and get distracted. Online classes can be draining, so make sure to take breaks and time for yourself so you don’t experience burnout from staring at a screen for too long.

3. Have a designated work space 

It’s important to have a separate place where you’re able to execute your work. Doing your work on your bed has your mind associate completing hard tasks with a place meant for sleeping and relaxing. It’s very tempting to get into a bed, where it’s comfortable to do your work. Creating an area for just working will help your mind separate the two. 

4. Stay in contact with your peers 

Taking classes in a pandemic is stressful all in it’s own, which is why it’s important you stay in contact with your friends and classmates. Knowing you have someone to communicate with can be helpful because they may be going through the same thing you are. That also ties into…

5. Stay in touch with your professor 

Even if you are a person who has flex or in-person classes, it’s important to stay in contact with your professor. By keeping an open line of communication, it can help create an easy way to clear any potential confusion about the class or any assignments. If you have online classes, this can be even more important since interaction between student and professor can be limited. 

6. Take care of yourself 

Make sure you’re setting aside time to do things that make you feel good about yourself. Taking classes during a pandemic can be stressful, so taking time to de-stress is important. If that means reading your favorite book, exercising or taking a long hot shower, all of those things contribute to you feeling good and being in a healthy state of mind.