Hello!
I’ve noticed that during this time of stress and anxiety, online learning has turned into more of a hassle than a healthier alternative in a lot of our minds… Don’t let these negative thoughts get in the way of getting the work done! Because of this, I wanted to make a little list of tips and tricks that I use to help get us through the rest of the semester!
- Writing down Due Dates and Zoom Meetings
Writing down any and all of your upcoming due dates and Zoom meetings is a great practice for, not only for visualizing benefits, but also for committing it to memory. Another way is to get a calendar app, if your phone doesn’t have one, and inputting all the dates in there for reminders. (I bet you’ve heard this once or twice before, I know I have)
- Changing up your Note-Taking Style
As we’re changing up the style of how we’re learning and being taught, changing the style or format of your notes for the class could make a fresh, bright change in how you’re absorbing that knowledge. (I also like making little art drawings based on the content I’m working on. For my philosophy class, I make symbols based on the stories we hear from the professor and leave them in the margin)
- Studying with Non-Verbal Music
Because most of us are in our own quarters now, naturally we would want to play our favorite music and artists, however music with words, especially songs we sing along with, can distract us and take our attention away from the work we’re doing. (I listen to orchestral versions of my favorite video game songs, but I throw in one song with words every so often to give myself a study break. This soundtrack gets me through long study sessions where I can’t have a break https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlkIUmn5USg&t=4105s)
- Understanding the Best Way You Learn
At the end of the day, we all learn and absorb information differently. Some of us can look at a book and highlight things all day and be good for a test, while others need to be in a physical state of learning, like with a class or a professor. (I’m a physical learner so this online stuff is a bit tough to digest, hence why I made this list)
- Staying Positive
It’s easy to feel like you’re drowning or falling behind, but you’re not alone. The fact that we have the ability to learn through such a difficult time is a blessing most don’t get the chance to experience! Only 34% of Americans have a college degree, while only 6.7% of the world has a college degree! Keep your head high, and finish strong!