With everything that is going on, I wanted to use my column to hopefully be helpful. Here are my top 10 ways to be a student online during a global pandemic.
1. Shift your mindset. Instead of thinking that you’re “stuck at home,” remind yourself that you’re “safe at home.” Finding small ways daily to remember how you are lucky during this time can be very helpful in preventing a large spiral.
2. Do something that you love—video games, painting, writing, whatever it is. If it brings you joy, do it; at least once a day, for no other reason than fun.
3. Monitor how much COVID-19 news you are intaking. Being informed is absolutely necessary—what is not helpful is spending 18 hours out of your 24-hour day listening to or watching the news. Check your news consumption. If you had spent four hours listening to or watching pandemic news, give yourself an hour break.
4. Do one thing that is productive. Getting things done during this pandemic might be daunting. However, if you can get one task done a day you will ease your stress levels. Maybe you have three chapters to read or it’s your job to take out the trash. Instead of procrastinating your whole to-do list, tackle a few things. Knowing you’ve done at least one thing is a good way to go to bed.
5. Get up before your class! I know it sounds great to roll out of bed and turn on your Zoom class meeting, but fight the urge. Getting up even 30 minutes before class, brushing your teeth, and starting your day, will make those long Zoom classes much more enjoyable.
6. Change from your night sweatpants into day sweatpants. Seriously! Changing your clothes, even if it’s just into different pajamas, is worth it. Putting on clean clothes will tell your brain a new day has started. Even if you are getting up way later than you typically would, changing your clothes signals to your body that you are starting a day and have things to do, even if you don’t have places to go.
7. Use screen time wisely. Facetiming friends and family or watching Netflix are important. Yes, I said Netflix is important. Your eyes and brain need a rest. Personally, I have needed to spend less time on social media than I ever have because it was stressing me out. Seeing posts about how everyone was stressed was stressing me out. Putting your phone down might be harder than ever but it is even more important than ever.
8. Get outside. Not in an illegal way, we all should still be following our stay-at-home order, but if you haven’t stepped foot outside in three days, it is time. If you have a backyard walk around it for five minutes. If you have a dog, take them on a walk around your neighborhood. Yes, follow all social distancing protocols but give your body some fresh air. This is not about losing weight or exercising, but it is about giving your body and lungs the fresh air and sunlight they deserve.
9. Know yourself. If you are the type of person who doesn’t track time well, set an alarm. Set a two-hour alarm when you’re on YouTube so when it goes off you’ll know it’s time to stand and stretch. Set a 25-minute alarm when you start your homework, that way you can take three-minute brain breaks and drink water.
10. Talk to your teachers. If you are struggling or not understanding assignments, email your teachers. Comment on your discussion boards or take advantage of your teacher’s office hours. You are a human first and they will work with you. Your faculty is learning with you during this remote time but we all will get through this.
Sending you all a virtual hug!
@HeyMariah is a student at The Evergreen State College. Her hobbies include making TikTok videos for her 65,000 followers and drinking hazelnut lattes. She loves that Evergreen’s mascot is a geoduck who wears a shiny glitter shell because she’s never met a glitter anything that she didn’t love. You can catch her in the morning listening to The Morning Toast on the daily and playing with her Pomeranian puppy @HeyKingston.
