How to stay sane during online classes

As the cases of Covid-19 keeps on increasing, schools have shut their doors and classes have transitioned to digital space to help flatten the curve. The transition to e-learning has heavily impacted students as we need to adjust to a new, unfamiliar environment.

Amidst the pandemic outbreak, we all have to worry about the never-ending pile-up of school requirements and its terrifying deadlines. After you click the submit button, you celebrate your hard work (yesss, finally 1 down). However, a notification popped which says you have another homework due tomorrow.

The struggle is real. I know. I too can relate.

Online classes are harder than t'was pre-pandemic. Huge workload, long hours of sitting, feeling all jittery. Online seems daunting to all of us, I suppose. Day and night attending video conferences, completing worksheets, and reading modules can be mentally draining. School was already difficult before but right now, it seems like the level of difficulty just quadrupled.

I love this meme so much because it really is a perfect representation of what online classes look like. Sitting in front of a computer can lead to eye strain, back pain, and headache. Experiencing this every day can be quite exhausting.

Your mental health is more important than the quiz, the formative assessment, the thesis, the presentation, and the unanswered emails. Your mental health is a priority. Your happiness is essential. Your self-care is a necessity.

This list is organized on what you should be prioritizing first.

1. Staying safe.

2. Staying sane.

3. Staying on top of your to-do lists.

So, here are 5 tips on how to stay sane during online classes:

1. Plan your daily schedule.

When you plan and stick to your schedule, you finish tasks efficiently. Having a schedule guides you in determining what your priorities are so that you can spend more time on important and urgent tasks. It also reminds you of any forthcoming deadlines. Knowing this, you can prevent your work from piling-up into a massive list.

Creating a schedule also means you should be honest with yourself. See to it that you schedule tasks that you can finish in a day. Give yourself ample time. Because most of us, overestimate how much we can do within the day. Keep it simple. Be realistic.

Being aware that you have designated time for a specific task can lessen stress and can also calm your worried mind.

2. "I get to do this." instead of "I have to do this."

We always say this to ourselves: "I have to do this. I have to do that. " and this just goes on and on. How much of our life is spent in the “I have to...”. I have to go to school. I have to do the laundry. I have to wash the dishes. The more unpleasant the chore, the more it becomes a “have to.” We all have different things to do and this causes us stress. But, we can't hide from all the demands of life, right? It is not a good practice to keep putting off your work. So instead of saying "I have to do this." Say to yourself "I get to do this." It's pretty basic but it has made all the difference. Who knew that two simple words could change one's mindset, perspective, and approach to work and life?

As Gregg Krech writes in his book,

"The phrase “I get to” implies that it is a privilege to do such activities – a blessing. It’s a blessing to be able to put gas in my car. It’s a privilege to be able to water the plants.”

If we start using the phrase "I get to", we are rewiring our brain. From the chores that we dread doing, it has shifted our perspective. It now seems like it's a privilege, rather than compliance, or something we're just forced to do. It's a change of attitude on the way we handle responsibilities.

Sure there will be challenges but if we approach each day as an opportunity to learn, grow, and be thankful we will live a more meaningful life. By doing this, we are realizing that every day is a gift. Instead of feeling stressed all the time, you will start feeling blessed and grateful (just by two simple words).

3. Have a study buddy.

Face to face learning may have been difficult, but having friends makes it so much more manageable and fun. Online classes take out the benefits of having friends to socialize with and being stuck alone with nothing but assignments makes it more dreadful. Studying by yourself can be lonely. It feels like you're the only one in the world suffering from all this school stuff. It feels like no one is there for you to share the hardships and challenges. Being alone without anyone to talk to about school, can be really demotivating.

With the strict implementations of quarantine, we never had a chance to go out and see friends. But that doesn't mean we can't message or have a video call with them. Thanks to technology, we can still socialize with our friends virtually. So I encourage you to start a video call with your close friends and study together. Having a study buddy provides an opportunity to share knowledge, giving you another level of insight into course readings and materials. You get to enjoy the company of a buddy while you both work towards a common goal!

4. Take breaks in between.

We are tempted to work our ass off until we feel tired. We stay in front of our computers and spend hours working on an assignment or project without pausing. Many believe cram sessions and all-night study groups will ultimately help them through school works. But this isn't true because not taking breaks in between can lead to a decrease in academic performance, and in some cases, anxiety, insomnia, and, or, depression.

Studies show that breaks can positively affect your attention abilities. Taking regular breaks can help to prevent fatigue and keep you focused. These breaks allow you to refresh your mind and regain your energy. Many studies have found that pausing for a moment to relax and a reboot is essential.

So, don't forget to stretch, eat a snack, listen to music, and refill your water bottle because we gotta stay hydrated.

5. Reward yourself at the end of the day.

Having something to look forward to can make us feel excited amidst life situations. Rewarding yourself after completing tasks is a great way for you to keep your mental health a priority. It is an amazing incentive for us to keep pushing forward.

Every time you do a good job or accomplish a significant task, reward yourself in small proportions. The reward does not have to be lavish or extravagant. It can be as simple as buying yourself your favorite chocolate, watching a movie, or just getting that extra hour of sleep.

Don't hesitate. You earned it. You deserve it.

---

Don't be so hard on yourself.

You're doing fine.

Be kind always, especially to you.