Most colleges have shut down now in order to stop the spread of Coronavirus; this means that classes, for at least the remaining weeks of March, will be held solely online. Both teachers and students will have to use online platforms to receive the courses’ readings, quizzes, reading guides, and any questions they may have. Although it is a very good way of sticking to social distancing, for many it may be hard to concentrate. By not being in class, dorm-rooms, or even the coffee shop in their college area, students might not be able to find the perfect studying environment. For that very reason, here are a few tips to stay as focused as possible during the quarantine:

Get out of Bed

If you have previously had online classes, it will be easier for you to know exactly what to do in this situation. However, if this is your first time, you probably do not know how to go about it. The first advice I could give you, would be to get out of bed while you are doing schoolwork. When we are in bed, we tend to become lazier and struggle more to focus on the task at hand. You should find a desk or a table where you can sit down and spread your books, notebooks, and any other materials you may need for your classes. Make sure your environment is as calm as possible.

Set a Schedule

Your teachers will set different deadlines depending on the priorities they have but you should set your own daily schedule. You should have a calendar or a planner where you can write what you need to get done every day. Set certain hours for certain classes and give yourself enough time to get all your homework done. In that schedule, you should make sure you have enough time to relax and decompress. Right now we are all going through a stressful situation and it is necessary to make time for yourself.

Communicate with Classmates

Social distancing can be rough for some of us and getting through certain class projects can be hard without communicating with your classmates. Use your school’s platform, social media, texting, and e-mailing to stay in touch with your classmates; check in with each other and make sure to be available in case you need to help one and other with homework. Remember to also stay in touch with your friends, teachers, and counselors because having a support system is very important in times like this.

Take a few Minutes

As previously stated, when making your schedule you should save a few hours to yourself. During this time, try to distract yourself from the pressure of schoolwork and the anxiety that is overwhelming the world in this situation. Watch movies, read books, catch up with your favorite TV shows, and FaceTime your friends. It is important to take care of our mental health just as much as we are being told to take care of our physical health. Make sure you take at least a few minutes to yourself throughout the day.

Situations like the one we are living in right now are always very complicated and it can be very hard to concentrate on schoolwork. Nevertheless, we have to get it done and try to keep living our lives as best as possible. Utilize all the resources your school is giving you during this online period, and communicate with your teachers if you are struggling and need help. I can assure you everybody will be very understanding and willing to help. Take care of yourself just as much as you are trying to take care of your grades.

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