By now United Statians have come to the unfortunate understanding that we are going to be living with this pandemic for the foreseeable future no matter what side of the political spectrum you belong to. I laugh at the naïveté with which I approached the finale of last semester, even going so far as to say I would drop out of college if it meant another semester online. Like everyone else, I was disappointed to find my March Madness bracket useless, my family plans cancelled and the much anticipated sequel to “Wonder Woman” indefinitely postponed.
Well, here we are in October and I still haven’t dropped out. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’ve wanted to on many occasions, but I’ve come to live with my situation. My classes are 100% online and they may be so for the rest of my collegiate career. I’ve decided its time to settle in and get used to it.
Here’s my brief list of advice when it comes to transitioning to college and professional life online as a junior, an extrovert and a person prone to cabin fever. Although this list is most likely overdone, I find that everyone can benefit from a unique perspective, even mine.
1. Set a Sleep Schedule– It doesn’t matter if you are five years old or 22, living in your parent’s basement or striking it out on your own, unemployed or working a 9-to-5, setting a sleep schedule is essential to maintaining mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. According to the Center for Disease Control, receiving an optimal seven or more hours of sleep a night can significantly improve cognition, which is essential to dealing with technological issues and awkward online presentations. I have to purposefully turn off my brain at 10:30 p.m. even when the laptop, the cell phone and the 24 hour news cycle are calling my name.
2. Go Outside– It sounds elementary, but if I don’t make myself leave the house, I won’t. Even if it’s just to grab milk down the street or slide your election ballot into the mailbox, take a small portion of your day to get away from the laptop. I find myself to be more productive during the days when I give myself the space to breath. If you want to get even more radical, turn off the news. It’s important to stay informed, but not at the expense of your sanity. It’s okay to go a few days in the dark, and that’s coming from a political science major.
3. Balance Required Reading with Book Candy– I call my fantasy and historical fiction picks my “book candy.” They are the sweets I’ve decided to consume without requirement and without regard to their educational value. I try to stay on top of my required readings, but even I can admit they aren’t the most dynamic material, especially when you’re cuddled up in bed at 10:00 p.m. Try A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah JMaas to go along with Stephen Pinker’s The Better Angels of Our Nature.
4. Be Honest with your Professors– As much as we college students like to blame our professors for their continued interest in our education and the influx in assignments and general stress, they really are there to help us succeed. It’s difficult to imagine that professors are struggling with the online format just as much as we are. Go to their office hours. Ask to meet for a virtual coffee. Tell them what’s going on. You shouldn’t have to go through this alone, and professors are one of our most valuable resources for navigating this crisis.
5. Learn to be a Sponge– If nothing comes out of this crisis, at least you can put on your resume that you survived online college. Learn how to navigate the digital sphere and use this time online to soak up all the information you can. It is likely the world has changed permanently, and many fields will remain technologically dependent forever. I recommend getting your Google Analytics Certification just to start. It is a free, easy way to update your resume and prove to your parents you’re undergoing “professional development” in between Netflix episodes.