Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges are offering students an option to study remotely from home for the fall 2020 semester, and many students, including myself, have taken up this offer. While remote students do receive some extra benefits during the pandemic, they will not truly be able to participate in on-campus life, which takes away much of what students love about college and learning. In order to make the most out of my own remote learning experience, I have decided to make a list of ways to maintain college life and learning while at home. For all of my fellow remote students out there, I hope this helps inspire you to embrace the remote experience rather than oppress it - this way, you will be ready and excited to take on the semester to come!
1. Ready your workspace.
As a remote student, you will be spending a lot of time at your desk, so take these next few weeks to clean up your workspace so it feels inviting when the semester starts. Sort out all those cabinets to make space for textbooks and notebooks, and replace old, worn-out pens and pencils with fresh new ones. On a side note, get a calendar or agenda book ready for the academic year by plugging in any important dates and penciling out your first semester schedule.
2. Avoid working or taking class in bed.
This one is tempting - I know. Why wouldn't you want to make your learning environment the most comfortable place? Well, there is such thing as too comfortable of a learning environment. One of the biggest things I learned from online learning this past spring is that taking class in bed just makes you more tired and less motivated. On the other hand, when I took class in a more work-focused place like my desk, I ended up feeling more alert and motivated to keep engaged in my studies. Now, this does not mean that you can only work at your desk. If you feel like you need a change of scenery, try moving to a kitchen counter or dining room table for a change, but make sure it is a place where you can feel pleasant yet remain focused. Overall, your workplace should be comfortable, but just not so comfortable that you begin to get sleepy and disengaged from what you're doing.
3. Take part in online clubs and activities.
Due to the pandemic, most clubs and activities will unfortunately not be able to meet in person. However, that doesn't mean that many of them can't still meet up online. If one of your clubs is planning on going virtual for the next semester, get involved in it! This is another simple way to make you feel like you are still part of the campus community while being at home. If a club or activity you are a part of has not said anything about going virtual, try getting in touch with the club leader to see if it is possible.
4. Keep in touch with friends.
Just because you can't see your friends in person doesn't mean that you can't still hang out! Thanks to some amazing video chat resources, such as Facetime and Zoom, we can still stay connected even if we can't be together in person. Staying in contact with friends can make you feel less isolated and more like you are on campus. If you and a friend are in the same class, try setting aside a time for a virtual study session to prepare for an upcoming test while also allowing you to hang out for a little!
5. Meet virtually with professors.
This one is important. Meeting with professors is a great way to make sure you are staying on track in your classes, which is something that is especially vital for remote students who do not get to meet in-person with their instructors. In addition, connecting with professors virtually is a great way to establish a student-teacher relationship despite not being able to meet in-person. This way, your professor gets to know you better, and you get to know your professor better. It's a win-win situation!
6. Plan out your days.
Learning remotely makes it so easy to slip into a habit of taking your classes when they come up but feeling like the rest of the day is technically free to do whatever (I mean you have nothing else "planned," right?). The reality is that this mindset causes you to put work off to the last minute and lose all motivation. Instead, plan out each day even if the only real time-commitments you have are classes. Dedicate certain times of the day for doing homework for specific classes, and work in breaks and meals around it. Trust me, planning out your day makes all the difference.
7. Invest in a pair of blue light blocking glasses.
As a remote student, you will be spending a lot more time on the computer, which will cause more exposure to blue light. The blue light from electronic screens can cause headaches, eye irritation, and make it hard to go to sleep. In order to put your eyes at ease, try out some blue light blocking glasses that filter out any of that unwanted blue light. These glasses are relatively inexpensive and come in lots of different styles. As someone who doesn't wear glasses, I find them really fun to wear too! So do your eyes a favor and get a pair - they will thank you for it!
8. Get into an exercise routine.
Exercise can do wonders to relieve stress and enhance happiness, but this may be hard to remember when your regular sports and activities are not happening. If you are a remote student, it is so important to remember to get up and exercise every week, especially since you will be on the computer most of the day. If you incorporate exercise into your daily routine, you will not only feel happier and more refreshed, but you will also be able to tackle your classes with a new start.
Hopefully with the help of these tips, remote students can make the most out of their semester, despite the unfortunate circumstances we currently live with. Going virtual can be a whole new and exciting opportunity if only you remember to take all you can from any experience that comes your way. Have a great fall semester everyone!