How to Make the Most of the Virtual School Experience
By: Nancy Aguilar ‘22
Now that we have had almost two years of online school as a result of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, it’s safe to say that we’re way past Zoom fatigue. This is chronic pain. Just when we thought we were safe in Fall 2021, Spring 2022 gave us a wake up call.
Of course, our number one priority should be to keep everyone safe. The Omicron variant—and the Coronavirus in general— has been incredibly scary and cases seem to be going up every day. For things to get better, we have to act as a community so I commend USC for being cautious and looking out for our students in these difficult times.
That being said, online school can be incredibly draining and disheartening. I consider myself an introvert and admittedly I was excited to go to school from home back in early 2020. I could be with my family, eat home-cooked food, and wear sweats to class. However, I soon learned that it wasn’t the dream I was hoping it would be.
For starters, it was INCREDIBLY difficult for me to focus at home. My family would be watching TV, they would need my help with chores, my little brother would be screaming at the top of his lungs and I have no desk at home, so I essentially sat in any space I could make work.
I felt very lonely. Despite my family being by my side, nobody in my house understands the stress of being a college student. I missed seeing people my age and walking around Trousdale during its busiest hours where there’s always a chance that you’ll be run over by a bicycle or skateboard—if you’re lucky.
I realized that even though I didn’t consider myself a social and extroverted person, I liked being around people and I missed being around my friends, acquaintances and even strangers.
Now that Spring 2022 has started off online—and we’re not sure yet if this is going to be permanent or not—I find myself feeling deja vu. But I also feel I’ve learned a lot about online school and I do feel better prepared at navigating through it. This is dedicated to all of the incoming freshmen that may not know how to handle this new environment and upperclassmen who may be struggling with this situation.
Here are my tips for making the most of your virtual school experience!
1. Dress as if you had in-person class.
I know, one of the only plus sides of having online school is that you can go to school in your pajamas, but I’ve found that the best way to stay awake and focused during class is to dress as if you were going to an in-person class. It doesn’t have to be jeans, but you can wear some leggings that you would go out in and a top that you would normally wear to school. This little gesture can go a long way because it’s an indication to your body that you’re not lounging around, you need to be working. It’s also a confidence boost; you have online class, yet you still went the extra mile to get dressed up.
2. Keep distractions away from you.
In an online atmosphere, it is incredibly easy to get distracted because it’s so easy to pull up another tab, go on your phone, eat food or work on other projects. Concentrating during an online class is difficult enough, but adding distractions to this only makes things worse. Nothing makes a class more interesting than paying attention. If you follow along with the lecture and listen to the class’ discussion, you’ll find that time moves quicker and you won’t feel as tired or sleepy.
3. Make use of the in-class breaks.
It may seem like ten or fifteen minute breaks aren’t much, but use this time wisely to go to the restroom, rehydrate, stretch or even take a quick power nap. Our professors understand Zoom fatigue and I’m certain they experience it as well. This time is dedicated to Zoom lectures because it really does make a difference to just decompress and take a look away from your screen, even if it is just for a few minutes.
4. Go outside!
Given that the Coronavirus has been active and contagious for over a year now, it may daunting and even impossible to step outside. This isn’t true. It’s still very much possible to go outside safely while still following social distancing protocols. A walk to the beach or park is always a safe bet and even a walk around the neighborhood can suffice. Just getting your legs moving, the sun on your skin and the breeze in your hair can make an enormous difference when it comes to your mood and attitude. You just have to wear a mask and be mindful of those around you while following social distancing rules.
5. Get regularly tested.
As a student, there is no reason to not get regularly tested unless you are off campus and outside of Los Angeles. USC provides us with accessible, free testing sites and we should take advantage of them. Getting regularly tested ensures that you not only keep yourself safe but keep others safe by making sure that you adequately isolate yourself if you unfortunately test positive. In fact, if you live off campus, going out to campus to get tested can count as your walk for the day and you can knock out two birds with one stone!
6. Hang out with friends in isolated and safe spaces!
Going along with #5, if you and your friends are getting regularly tested, it makes it easier and safer for you to get together in an isolated space (like one of your dorms or homes). Always take advantage of opportunities like this because it gives you a rare and invaluable chance to socialize and build on your connections with fellow Trojans.
7. Eat healthy and drink water.
This seems like a no-brainer, but when your schedule is packed and you have one meeting after another, it may feel like you have no time to make a proper meal so you settle for fast food or some frozen bagel bites. Making sure that fresh fruits and vegetables are a part of your daily diet is imperative because it affects your nutrition, ability to focus, mood, attitude and overall well-being. Last, but definitely not least, WATER. DRINK WATER!I cannot stress this enough. The simple act of drinking water helps and improves your body in more ways than I can list here. Please make sure you are treating your body like a temple, as cheesy as this saying is.
8. Set up a meeting with your professors early on to get to know them.
It’s always good to remember the silver linings in difficult situations. Although online classes can be draining and tiring, they make it incredibly easy to set meetings with people, especially your professors. If you’re introverted and shy like me, it may seem intimidating to introduce yourself to your professors at the beginning of the semester. Zoom makes it incredibly easy to set up a quick meeting with your professor in a private setting and it ironically makes it easier to get to know them, at least from my perspective.
9. Avoid sitting in one position while in class; watch your posture.
In addition to mental strain and fatigue, physical fatigue is very real as well. Eyes can understandably get sore as a result of the many hours staring at a screen, ears can also become strained after many hours with earbuds in. and muscles (especially back muscles and gluteal muscles) can become stiff and strained after sitting in one position for many hours. It’s always a healthy habit to sit in a position that is comfortable but also allows you to practice good posture. Exercising and stretching during your breaks is also a great way to help your muscles unwind.
10. Go at your own pace!
Finally, go at your own pace and enjoy your experience YOUR way. These tips are dedicated to your well-being, so do it in a way that you are comfortable. Online school is just as stressful and tiring as normal school, if not more. So don’t stress out if you’re struggling or if you don’t pick up on healthy habits that quickly. It’s your journey and your college experience. Don’t compare yourself to others and go easy on yourself in these difficult times.
If you are able to, I highly recommend staying on campus during online school because it still allows you to practice the independence and responsibility that comes with being a college student. It also gives you an opportunity to take advantage of any safe in-person gatherings that may arise. Although it is more comforting and easier to be at home, I can tell you from first-hand experience that you are depriving yourself of the growth that you can experience and cultivate from living on your own.
Best of luck to you all in this new semester Trojans!
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