With the third semester underneath COVID-19 restrictions starting, students on the Elizabethtown College campus are remote learning as well as those at home. However, not being in the physical classroom can be hard for students as they are easily distracted, lose motivation to keep up with homework or struggle overall.
Since the virtual campus does not require you to leave your bed, it can be difficult to start a normal routine. Building a schedule and laying it out on paper creates structure in a day. Put in class times and add five minutes before it starts. This will ensure that you are actually attending class and it gives yourself time to look over notes from last class or the homework. Also give yourself an hour to do homework for each class you had that day. Having class and doing homework for that class in one day keeps you on track and focused just on one or two classes at a time. Another important block to schedule in is relaxing and exercising times. Both are essentially for keeping a mental and physical well-being. Try moving around and stretching in between classes as well as giving yourself 10-minute breaks between study sessions.
A big issue with remote learning is being distracted. Sitting through lectures that are often back-to-back without much of a break can be tiresome. Family members walking in, trying to talk to you in the middle of a quiz. Your phone lighting up with emails, social media updates and texts make you want to put down the pencil and finish homework later. Despite trying to pay attention, we end up losing focus.
One way to counteract distractions would be to engage in the discussion in class. Speaking up requires you to follow the conversation and note, either physically or mentally, what other classmates have said. If your class is mostly discussion based or your professor asks you questions, responding at least once per class forces you to pay attention.
If a family member seems to constantly knock on your door, put a sign on your door, warning that a class, homework or exam is in session.
Another issue is often phones being a major component of distraction. Developers have released apps that lock social media platforms from being accessed for a certain time. Simply putting your phone on Do Not Disturb can ensure that your study session is not interrupted. If these don’t help, try leaving your phone across the room or in another room altogether.
Motivation is the most finicky part about virtual learning. Once class is over you just want to shut your laptop and notebooks, curl up into a ball and sleep. One good way to combat this is with study groups. Clearly, if there’s one other person in your class, then someone else has the same assignment as you. Connect with someone you took another course with or make a new friend and propose a study group. Having a set time where you can work on your respective assignments at the same time ensures that they get done. Also, if you can’t find anyone in the same class, do homework with your friends over the phone.
As always, whether your remote learning or on campus, reaching out to other students, professors, Learning Services and Counseling Services can help as well.
