Making Going to Online School Easier

Being a college student during a pandemic is not the most ideal situation, especially when you are used to going to class in person. Universities were required to switch to remote learning very quickly and this was not the smoothest transition to a learning environment that was unknown to most college students. Many students have a harder time learning online and are struggling to do well in their classes. I have found some techniques that work to make learning from your computer screen all day just a little bit easier.

I found myself being more exhausted from online classes than when I was actually walking to multiple classes in a day. It becomes so draining to stare at a screen all day doing assignments and going to class. I was scrambling for ways to feel more awake during class so I would not be dozing off. One thing I found that helped me do this was giving myself a five-to ten-minute brain break. During a brain break, close your computer and let your brain and eyes rest.

Another thing I have found that helps make learning online much easier is being engaged by asking or answering questions. By doing this you are going to remember what was talked about during class more easily or better understand the muddy points. This also makes teaching an online class much easier for your professors because this is also a big change for them too. Teaching to a class of students that have their cameras and microphones off for the entire class can be difficult, especially if the class is normally discussion based. Being actively engaged makes it easier for you as a student to learn and easier for teachers to teach.

Lastly, invest in yourself or pick up a new hobby that does not involve technology to give yourself a breather. Being completely online for school gives you more free time than you would normally have; take advantage of it. Some things you can do to fill up the extra time you have are picking up a skincare routine, spend some time in nature, hang out with your roommates, or develop a new habit to better yourself. During this time, I started getting into makeup and practicing again to give myself a break from looking at a screen all day. This a look I recently recreated from the show Euphoria.

Although being fully online as a college student is sometimes not the most ideal, there are so many things that can help make the best of this situation. Give yourself a break from the screen, stay engaged, and use your newfound free time to do something with no technology.