1. Have a designated workspace – if you’re workspace is right next to your bed; it can be very easy to just hop under the sheets and snuggle up during a class. As great as getting into bed is, it’s not a productive way to learn and it’s important to create boundaries between work and sleep. If you can stay as far away from your bed, the urge to climb in will be easier to manage. Furthermore, switching up the area you work in can help cabin fever, try working in the kitchen or dining room, or in an office. By changing scenery, you may also help eliminate distractions in your own room.
2. Be kind to yourself – this is possibly the most important tip on this list. We are currently students and teachers, living through a pandemic that is restricting our lives so much. Even though we come from a place of privilege and are able to continue with school due to our resources, we are still suffering from the effects of lockdown. It’s okay if you’re feeling isolated, depressed, anxious, emotional or anything at all. Being away from friends, and constantly with family can cause a lot of turmoil, but understand that it will all be okay. The most important thing is to talk about how you’re feeling to someone you trust. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by online school and the pandemic in general, then it is 100% okay to take time of for yourself. In the end, the most important thing is that you’re okay, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Do not be afraid to contact your teachers to ask for an extension for a deadline, or for help, or just to talk, they will understand that things are difficult with distance-learning. We are going through new and challenging times, so be kind to yourself. Do not beat yourself up for not being perfect all the time.
3. Get organized – make sure that you’ve prepared things for your classes to avoid scooting around trying to find a pen or a calculator. Try to have everything within arm’s reach, maybe under your desk you can put your textbooks and pencil case. Your teacher’s will support your every question, do not be afraid to turn on your microphone or camera and ask what you’ll need for a lesson.
4. Eliminate distractions – eliminating distractions is an effective way to pay attention much easier. Try to put your phone in another room or on your bed on charge, keep your desk/workspace clear, have a little fidget device like a rubber or something to fiddle with to stop yourself reaching for other things.
5. Relax – relaxing is so important during the pandemic and lockdown. It’s just as important that you make time to relax, however this may be. You could do some art, play an instrument, kick a football around outside or go for a run, watch TV, make a wildflower garden, cook, spend time with your family. It doesn’t matter how, but it matters that you do it. It’s not healthy to be consumed by workload or by the computer at your desk, getting away for a few hours a day is imperative.
6. Take breaks – I personally suffer from migraines, which is made all the worse by online school. Spending 8 hours on a screen can be really difficult, I recommend taking breaks every 25 minutes, even if you just walk around your room or go and stroke a pet, it can really help with your time management skills too. Avoid going on your phone on breaks, but instead go outside for fresh air. Minimal homework is set during online school, so spend your downtime outside/out of your room to switch things up.
7. Stay in contact – being away from friends can be so difficult. After a while, you can start to feel isolated. It’s important to stay in touch with friends, call them at break times or after school, find online games to play like skribbl.io or shellshock.io, send them a message to check up on things. Remember that you will get to see each other again, although it can feel like so much time has been lost, it will be okay.
Thank you for reading this blog, I hope that the next few weeks of distance learning will be okay for you, and that these tips are helpful. The video down below is a great watch for more details!
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