Starting off the new school year

While things are not fully back to normal we have embraced the ‘new normal’ of a virtual life. Now that the school year has started, it is natural to be confused and hesitant for what the future holds. In these unprecedented times, no one knows when things will go back to normal. However, there are different ways in which we can adapt to our current situation.

When in college, missing out on the usual social activity can be very isolating. The camaraderie amongst friends, the ability to work together in person, or even catching up at the canteen are just a few moments worth mentioning. Not to worry though, the following are a few tips that can help in creating your own special experience, be it virtual, for this year to come!

Academic Space:

Make sure you have a separate setup from your living space. The worst thing that you can do to yourself is working in a leisure area, say a TV room or from your bed. You want to separate these two places very distinctly. By doing so, you will be able to establish the right focus for work and maintain a separate space for you to unwind afterwards.

Even in a time with less structure, having a notebook or a printed schedule is a great idea. This will not only organize your day, but also keep you focused on the task at hand. Furthermore, you can be really creative and incentivize yourself to work hard so you have ample free time to enjoy leisure activities.

Do not be shy to reach out to your professors during this time. While you may not be able to see them in person, you can still reach out via email or telephone. This is important in case you have any doubts about a class or need assistance planning a major assignment later in the semester. Getting to know your professors is always a good idea and can help you to feel more comfortable throughout the semester.

Personal Space:

Set aside time away from classes to interact with your friends during the week. It might be difficult creating time to interact with friends after being online for classes all week with homework assignments. A good way to maintain a good level of social interaction might be to schedule online group study calls. This way, you can lessen your feeling of anxiety and loneliness.

Be open to talk about what you’re feeling. These new circumstances are difficult for everyone. It is possible that while you might be feeling lonely, a friend might be feeling that way too. It is crucial that we all come together to help one another during this time. Even if you don’t have that much time, you can set up a 15-minute video call to drink coffee with a friend to talk about your day.

Remember to stay in touch with your family and friends. Life can get busy, but making time for the ones we love the most is essential. By having this time with your family and friends, you can take your mind off classes and stay connected even if you are far away.

Slowly but gradually, adapting to these new changes is all very possible. With support and strength, a successful online school year is just a few steps away. Always remember to keep yourself in mind, because your health first!