Adjusting to Distance Learning

It’s been a couple weeks since we’ve all been sent home and campus closed for the semester, and we’ve all been transitioning into online learning. Since coming home, I’ve reorganized my room, done some spontaneous online shopping, and even started working again at a grocery store in my town. I didn’t have such a time-consuming job when I was at Iowa but having it has really helped me with my time management. 

One of the most effective things for me is finding a new routine and sticking to it. Three of my classes are synchronous – they still have class at the same time that we would normally at IowaAll those classes are Tuesday / Thursday, but having those classes have anchored my routine. For my other classes, I still try to do the work on the same days I would have them. For example, my professor for my Freedom of Expression class has released his lectures for the rest of the semester online, but I still watch them on Mondays and Wednesdays.   

I also think that having somewhere specific to do work is really helpful. Somewhere that isn’t your bed. I have a desk (something I only got after I came back) in the corner of my room that I use for all my schoolwork. For me, it’s important that I have defined spaces, especially since it’s all in my room. I was never able to focus while I was in my dorm room, but now I don’t have the option to head to a coffee shop or the library 

Zoomin’

Finally, the thing that I think is paramount, is not completely messing up my sleep schedule. Its definitely not the same as it was in Iowa, but it’s still in the most acceptable hours (not according to my mom lol) of 2am-10am. And since I mostly work nights, it gives me time to do homework and hang around before I have to work. 

Everything takes adjusting, and this especially is no exception. Make sure to take care of yourself, practice good hygiene, and stay connected with your friends and family! We all need to feel some sense of normal.  

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *