By Sarai Castrejon
The author has just graduated with an honours Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Marketing. She was still in school when university courses moved online in March 2020.
At the end of the winter term, with in-person classes cancelled, the word “homework” took on a whole new, more literal meaning. Whether we were completing our university career or continuing our studies, it was an interesting, unprecedented way to end the year at uOttawa. Regardless, a new term has begun and I thought I would share some tips and tricks to help you succeed digitally.
Routine is key
Long gone are the nights of 3 a.m. snack runs to the kitchen and five hours on social media. Sleeping and waking up at normal hours is the best advice I can give you to make the most of your days. One of the most important things that helped me focus was maintaining my daily routine, so that my nights would be restful and I could feel productive in the daytime. This was very hard to do the first few days, as it became tempting to spend eight hours on TikTok, but I knew I would regret it the next day.
Another way to feel productive and stick to a routine is by getting dressed, even though you are going nowhere. As much as I enjoy getting dressed, my comfy sweats became my staple attire. Time management is key as well. I know this is hard, because not being in a classroom can easily lead to procrastination and putting off class for another day.
Digital etiquette = classroom etiquette
Mute your mic! When in class, make sure your microphone is off when you’re not speaking. Also, if your camera must be on, make sure that your background is appropriate. Nobody wants to see a messy bedroom.
One benefit of online classes is having snacks nearby. I bring my water and either fruit or some type of granola bar, so that I’m not tempted to leave my seat time and again. Just because a class is digital doesn’t mean that the standard rules of being professional don’t apply.
Clean workstation
Let this be your cue to take your dirty dishes and empty water bottles from your room to the kitchen. When doing homework or studying, having a clean desk and room is an incentive to be more productive. It will also clear some space for your notes and help you better prepare for exams.
Tired of working in your bedroom? Change locations every two hours — that way you get a new view, remain focused and aren’t tempted to go back to bed. I typically choose the living room and back yard because of the sunlight and the nice tan I can get.
Social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation
Just because we can’t see each other doesn’t mean we can’t message!
This is one of my most important tips: keep communication lines open with your loved ones. Whether Skyping for five minutes with your friends or having a two-hour call with your dog back home, make sure you stay connected.
Looking for new activities to do? Go on the uOttawa wellness page. One of my favourites was virtual pet therapy on Fridays after a long week of class. Now is the best time for things like picking up new hobbies or start an online book club.
Exams
Every exam season is a tough one but online brings a new set of challenges, for example, not getting distracted by everything around you or finding a quiet place to study with stable Wi-Fi. If you might have trouble getting a stable connection or finding a quiet place to write the exam, email your professor or TA and let them know your situation in advance. They can offer alternative arrangements to better suit your situation. Don’t be afraid to ask.
Mental health
Make sure you take the time to check up on yourself. Be kind to yourself. And days off are important because they remind us to do fun things around the house. I like to take my weekends off to paint anything and everything. With the weather being nicer, spend some time outside, whether for a walk or a bike ride, following the rules of social distancing.
Overall, it’s important to remember that this may be our reality for a while, so we have to make the best of what we can change and make do with what we have. You got this — good luck!