COVID-19 has changed college in Ohio and elsewhere substantially since it struck early spring 2020. Many students at both Ohio State and Ohio University continue to take classes online, including many students staying in off-campus rental housing in both Columbus and Athens. And even with many students returning to in-person classes, much of campus life is still taking place online. It’s hard to say when things will return to normal, though everybody’s hoping for next fall.
Many institutions or higher learning are preparing for the long haul with partial online learning continuing into 2021. And even with in-person classes resuming, online learning will likely continue to be an option for the safety of both faculty and students.
“… The staff members and the professors would have to opt in,” advised Zeke Emanuel, director of the Healthcare Transformation Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, in a New York Times panel discussion of educators and health experts. “For some, even many of them, the risk may be too high.” (That event took place in June 2020, and a lot has happened since then, foremost the start of a national vaccination program. One thing that hadn’t happened as of early 2021 was the coronavirus going away.)
So you are likely taking at least some online classes for a while longer from your Athens or Columbus rental housing. It’s an adjustment to say the least. How do you navigate without flunking out or losing your mind?
Here are seven strategies to rock online learning and not lose your soul in the process.
Set a Schedule.
Virtual learning takes discipline. It helps to set a schedule early on. Treat your day like you would any other day on campus – even if you aren’t leaving your off-campus rental house or apartment. Plan to get up at the same time every day. Schedule time to attend your online classes, as well as keep up on the readings and other assignments.
Create a To-Do List Every Day.
Include simple, easy-to-do things on your list, like getting up, eating breakfast, heck – even making a list. Cross each item off as it’s done. This will give you a sense of accomplishment. Break everything down into simple achievable steps, and you will more quickly reach your goal. Though, don’t cheat yourself by making a list that’s too short or too easy. Challenge yourself to accomplish a lot from the comfort of your Columbus or Athens rental housing.
Don’t Fall Behind on Studying
It’s easy to fall behind doing virtual learning. There’s no one holding your hand, no one watching over your shoulder. It’s easy to just mope and nap around your apartment or house. It’s amazing how fast time can pass when you’re trying to avoid applying yourself to work that maybe isn’t as riveting as it could be. If you find yourself defaulting to Twitter or Instagram instead of doing something constructive, or heaven forbid, playing video games, whack yourself in the noggin. Time-wasting means exactly that – spending time on relatively worthless pursuits while important tasks and goals fall by the wayside.
But just because you’re learning online doesn’t mean you aren’t also taking actual classes. You’re still an Ohio University or OSU student, whether you’re virtual learning in your University District apartment in Columbus or living in Athens in student rental on Court Street. Make studying a priority just as if you were physically going to class.
Group Study via Zoom
Friends and study partners help you learn. You can share tips and study techniques, quiz each other, inspire and cheer each other on. Study groups are an important part of surviving any college course – and that includes online courses.
Naturally, the pandemic makes this challenging. But you don’t have to meet in person. Zoom and WhatsApp provide virtual meeting options so you can study together without physically being together. These apps also allow for easy messaging so you can communicate and share notes, website addresses, poop and unicorn emojis. You can also share screens. Technology can help us get through these difficult times. Just try to. restrain yourself from goofing off while meeting online; avoid swiveling your computer’s camera to show off Muffy the Cat or Frisky the Dog.
Get Outside
Make time to get outside. We need social distance from people — not the outdoors. Get out for a walk, a jog, a bike ride. Stroud’s Run State Park is a 10-minute drive from your Athens apartment, even if you live in the middle of Court Street. The Ridges is even closer – a 15-minute walk from off-campus neighborhoods. If you’re an Ohio State student, get out of your off-campus apartment and drive to a Columbus Metro Park. Go for a hike and experience moments of mindfulness in the woods. It’s good for your body, great for your soul.
Make Time for Hobbies
College can’t be all work, especially if you’re learning online. Don’t forget to make time for a few hobbies. Put together a puzzle. Take some time for free drawing. Catch up on your favorite bands. Start a stamp collection.
Even when you’re stuck in your Ohio State or Ohio University rental, you still need to live. All work and no play make you want to cut Jack Nicholson’s head off with an ax. Take care of yourself.
Don’t Forget to Have Fun – TeleSocialize
Taking online classes from home can be isolating. This can lead to depression, which can ruin your studies and devastate your mental health. Don’t forget to socialize – but at a distance. Plan Zoom happy hours when you can still get together and party with friends. If you don’t drink, you can plan a Zoom coffee hour or dinner party. Do it with multiple people. Soon you’ll forget the screen is even there. And the beautiful thing is you can connect across regions, whether you’re at your parents’ house in Cleveland or sitting in an apartment in Athens or Columbus, Ohio.
Here in early 2021, we’re getting closer and closer to a time when the pandemic will be receding into the past. Stay safe for a few months longer, and things will start looking up.