How to Cope with Remote Learning
Words by Sarah Logan
Graphic by Aspasia Celia Tsampas
With remote learning being the norm for most students at City College this fall semester, you may be feeling slightly overwhelmed, anxious, or even depressed. If you feel like you are missing out on important moments and memories that could have been made if you weren’t in quarantine, you are not alone. Although you may miss walking around campus with your buddies and studying in the NAC library, you can still make this semester productive and memorable by taking care of your mental and physical health. Here are some ways that you can learn remotely while also caring for yourself and remaining as productive as possible:
Don’t be too hard on yourself…
At the beginning of quarantine back in March, you may have had the sudden urge to completely revitalize your life by setting goals for yourself in quarantine. Now, this isn’t a bad way to look at quarantine. Setting achievable goals is the perfect way to bring yourself out of a rut or to occupy your mind when not much is going on. The key is to:
Set small, achievable goals that can be met in a timeframe that best represents your life situation and
Not get mad at yourself if you cannot achieve those goals.
Being content with even the slightest achievements is the best way to avoid self-deprecation and a feeling of worthlessness or “I didn’t do enough.” Be grateful for everything you have achieved and then work up from there.
2. Adhere to simple morning and night rituals…
It’s harder to keep a routine during quarantine if your feeling depressed and unmotivated. However, if you stick to a simple routine every morning and night, chances are that productivity is going to snowball into other parts of the day. Do not make your routines complex and lengthy. Instead, strive to complete two or three activities every morning and night to give your life consistency. Again, make the habits achievable for your lifestyle and situation. Here are some habits you can implement:
For the morning:
Go for a short 10-minute walk or run 1 mile before breakfast.
Read a chapter of a book during breakfast.
Take 5 minutes to try to learn a new skill (an instrument, a language, etc.).
For the night:
Journal for 10 minutes about anything on your mind.
Meditate by focusing and counting your breath or noting everything you smell, hear, and feel.
3. Switch up your location or make a designated space…
You may feel bored at the same spot every day, day in and day out. Maybe you have a small cramped space that you have been working in since March. Maybe you like going to a specific desk or table in your living space every day because it gives you a sense of familiarity. Whatever your case may be, it is important to both switch up your study space while also giving yourself a designated workspace. After you’ve gone through your morning routine and you’re ready to get down to work, having a specified area where you can go on video chat for classes, write essays, or do your work simulates the feeling of going onto campus and sitting down at a desk to work. Sure, it is not the same, but it brings your mind into a separate mindset. On the other hand, switching up your workspace is also beneficial to your productivity. Strive to stick with your designated workspace 75% of the time and try to switch up your workplace the other 25%. You can implement this by studying at your designated workspace during the week and then switch it up on the weekend. Here are some ideas:
You could bring your textbook to the park and read a few assigned chapters while maintaining social distancing and mask-wearing.
You could try studying in other parts of your living space (kitchen, living room, etc.) as long as it’s not too noisy.
Write your essays outside of a coffee shop (if the coffee shop has outside seating) while maintaining social distancing and mask-wearing.
Just remember that these are suggestions and not requirements. Study the way that you feel most comfortable and productive.
4. Break from the mundanity of quarantine life…
At some point, you may begin to feel like each day blends into the next. The days which used to hold so much opportunity and excitement may seem boring and uneventful. To combat quarantine boredom, be sure to take many breaks from work and video conferences every hour. Try to make your breaks just as productive as working but be sure that they are relaxing as well. Here are some break ideas:
Go for a short walk down the block.
If you have pets, give your animal extra love by petting them.
Do some simple yoga poses or do some exercises (pushups, sit-ups, etc.).
Call a family member or friend.
5. Create a support system…
Many of us may be feeling lonely and isolated from the rest of the world during quarantine. If you don’t have an immediately present support system physically around you, it is important to keep in contact with your loved ones through video chat, texting, and calling. Speaking to and keeping up with family and friends will both benefit your mental health and the mental health of those that you care about.
Keeping tabs on yourself by caring for both your mental and physical health will allow the process of quarantining to run much smoother. By the time you return to campus, you will be proud of the difficult moments you were able to overcome. Good luck!
