Finding structure during online classes
Does anyone know what day it is? I feel like I’m in a constant loop of weekends; time has become meaningless. Alas, I still have so much school work to do. And even though I have all the time in the world, it feels like I have no time for schoolwork, and I have no one to blame but myself. It’s time for us to finally start adjusting to these crazy times, but how can we possibly do that? One word: structure.
It’s so important for people to have structure, and usually, we can rely on school for that structure. But online school is a different kind of beast that requires more time management and self-control. Needless to say, we aren’t used to either of those. So what’s the first step in developing these skills?
It’s time to get to know yourself. What’s your personal style and work ethic? When do you find you get the most work done? Do you find yourself procrastinating more when you are busy or more when you are bored? Take time to consider your work ethic and how you operate. You can still get work done, it’s just a matter of knowing when. After you figure yourself out, it’s time to work out a morning schedule.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve officially sunk into a comfortable schedule of sleeping in late. This is a huge enemy to productivity, but you need to make sure you get your eight hours of sleep in, so set a bedtime for yourself. For example, Go to bed at midnight and wake up at 8 a.m. Wake up at the same time every day so your body gets used to your new circadian rhythm. After you’ve got your body clock worked out, plan a good way to start your day. What will get you out of bed in the morning? If it’s food, plan out a breakfast that will get you moving. Morning time is the best time for meditation and yoga, so if that’s your jam, go for it. After that, it’s game time.
Writing a to-do list is a great way to make sure you don’t forget anything. We all know that feeling of your stomach sinking to the center of the Earth when you realize you’ve forgotten to do an assignment. Usually, it’s too late to do it, so you just take the L. Well, to-do lists are a great solution to that. Even though it can be a little bit overwhelming to write out the millions of homework assignments and lectures that you have to do, it’s worth it.
As a side note, making priorities on your to-do lists is an excellent way to improve your focus and get the most important things done first. If that’s not how you roll, you can put the easiest things first! Remember, it’s all about how you operate, so tailor your lists to your needs.
Work in time for fun things during your day. No, I’m not talking about Netflix time. We both know you’ll find time for that without a to-do list. I’m talking about a hike to the Wind Caves, a walk around Logan, FaceTim with a friend or relative or doing a new puzzle. The options are endless. You could even take up baking or cooking! Scheduling these breaks in between mundane tasks can help motivate you big time. Times are tough right now, but the best thing you can do for yourself is to get a solid routine going that will aid your productivity rather than give in to your Achilles’ heel.
—emily.white@aggiemail.usu.edu