I think most of us can agree that learning online is different than learning in person. When classes got switched to online last semester, I didn't realize how much adjusting it would take. I was flustered and had no idea where to begin, but I eventually got a routine down. Here is what I did to survive an online semester at Penn State.
Keep a planner
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This is a pretty basic one, but it was a lifesaver for me. Some of my classes were at a scheduled time, while others were available to complete at my leisure. I wanted to avoid confusion and ensure that I was doing all of my assignments, so I wrote out a schedule for myself each week. An added plus is checking everything off when you're done!
Stay on a sleeping schedule
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This is something I struggled with at first. Since I no longer had to get up and go to class, I had a tendency to oversleep, and even missed a few Zoom classes because of it. After one too many missed classes, I started going to sleep earlier, and it made all the difference. A few nights of taking melatonin got my circadian rhythm back on track, and I found it much easier to focus on my online classes.
Don't procrastinate
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Once again, this was a struggle of mine. When classes are online, it becomes easier to forget about assignments or to put them off. I promise you that getting your assignments done in advance is a much better feeling than rushing to submit your paper an hour before it's due.
Have study sessions over video chat
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A plus of taking classes in person is being able to study with your friends; why not continue to do so online? During quarantine, I scheduled times to FaceTime with friends so that we could study together. Doing so holds both you and your friends accountable, and ensures that you are learning the course material.
Take notes
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Taking online classes makes it easier to slack on note-taking because the slides are often posted for you. However, taking notes is beneficial because it gives you something quick to look back on when you're studying. Not to mention there is tons of research showing the positive correlation between note-taking and learning.
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