Class With A Touch of COVID: How to Get Through A Semester During the Pandemic

2020 has been a year unlike most, especially for students. In March of 2020 we were sent home from school and were thrown into online classes. Emotionally, mentally and physically the COVID-19 crisis has flipped our world upside down.

For students, this transition has been a rocky road. From getting to know our professors and sitting side by side with our classmates to being masked and sitting six feet apart, or through a computer screen, things have switched up.

The college experience we once knew is now a distant memory. Now classes for college students are all online, a hybrid, or in person spread apart from one another. 

Knowing the situation has been draining, I have 5 tips on how to get through a semester during a pandemic.

1. Write in a Calendar

With classes being in person some days and online the next, it is important to stay organized. Deadlines can get confusing when you see your professor every other class and don’t get the reminders you were once used to. 

1. Be Patient

Be patient with your professors and they will be patient with you. It has been a hard transition for them too. Many professors are new to teaching online, and it is easy for them to make mistakes too. We are all learning together. 

1. Create a Routine

According to Michigan's Department of Psychiatry, “Start your day at about the same time each day. Set a goal for coursework to be completed for each morning and afternoon. Maintain adequate nutrition by eating three healthy meals per day; now is a great time to try new recipes!  Try to get in at least one physical activity each day. It is very good for your mental health to get some fresh air and go on a walk, run, or bike ride.” This is important because not having a set schedule with online classes can decrease our motivation. I know I have been a victim of laziness during this semester and have had a loss of interest without the hands on class experience. But by implementing a routine and getting ourselves outdoors and moving, it can really help with our mental state during this time. 

1. Keep an Open Mind

Daniela Avagano, a senior at the University of Tampa says that if she was to give advice to other students it would be to keep an open mind. She states, “Keeping an open mind is important during times like this because everyone is going through it for the first time and if everyone has an open mind and stays positive we can make it easier for each other.” Thus, helping one another and being there for one another is important during trying times. We all need to be there for one another whether it is school related or not. It is vital to appreciate what we do have in order to stay positive during the pandemic. 

1. Relax

Dealing with school, COVID-19 and personal life can get exhausting. It is okay to take a step back and relax. Whether it is putting down the textbooks and watching a movie, or having to take a mental health day. During this time, we are tired and want to stay healthy in multiple ways, so at the end of the day you need to put yourself first. 

All in all college during COVID-19 has been difficult. Thankfully, we all are in this together. By implementing these tips, COVID-19 is no match for us college students. 

Works Cited

Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic as a College Student: Psychiatry: Michigan Medicine. (2020, May 04). Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/michigan-psychiatry-resources-covid-19/adults-specific-resources/coping-covid-19-pandemic-college-student

Photo retrieved from https://pixabay.com/photos/corona-coronavirus-virus-covid-19-4983590/