I hate Zoom so much to the point where I get aggravated when I hear the word “Zoom”. Someone can literally say the word Zoom, and I will have to hold back a punch. Nothing against Zoom, but I am over sitting at my computer all day. I’ve only been in school a week, and I am already feeling the frustration from all of the online time. Personally, online school is really challenging for a multitude of reasons. I find it demotivating, tiring (even though I am sitting all day), and it is super easy to get distracted at home. On top of that, there are technical issues that can make online school super frustrating. However, I have found a few really helpful tips and tricks that I think will make a difference in my success and overall attitude towards online school. If you too are feeling a bit “blah” about online school, I recommend trying a few of these tips and tricks to see if they will make a difference for you as well!

1. Popsicle stick jar

This first idea is something my mom just recently came up with, and I will definitely be doing this as well. Her idea is to put a bunch of popsicle sticks in a jar, and on each one write something you can do on breaks from online school. For example, one stick can say go for a bike ride while another one may say “hop in the pool” or “sit outside and stretch/relax”. You can also create a few different jars for the different times you have for breaks. For example, one jar can be “10 Minute Break Between Classes” and another can be “Lunch Break.” It just depends on your specific schedule. This way you can be sure that which ever popsicle stick you choose won’t make you late for class and can take up an effective amount of time. 

2. Wake up earlier than you need to 

I know, it’s tempting to roll out of bed five minutes before your class, but you may be surprised at how much more focused you become when you wake up earlier than you technically need to. I have found that waking up 30-45 minutes before class gives me time to shower (if I want), get dressed (which is usually sweatpants, but anything is better than pajamas), make breakfast, and get my Zoom link up and ready a few minutes before class, so I can be ready on time. Of course, I don’t do this every morning because I’m simply not that organized all the time, but even if I can do this a few times a week, I can get more done on those days. However, some days I like to exercise in the morning which means I have to wake up a bit earlier. This leads to my next tip…

3. Exercise before school

I know no one wants to hear this, but working out in the morning makes a huge difference in my mood throughout the day. Even if it’s a short walk, I at least know that I did something productive and got outside before a long day inside. Plus, producing those endorphins before school can be anxiety preventing and often leads to a more productive and less stressful day! I know that I always feel better and less antsy if I get out some of my energy at the beginning of the day. 

4. Eat lunch in a different environment

Getting Vitamin D is so important, and even being outside for 15 minutes for lunch is a great way to get some sun (especially while it’s still warm!). I love to make my lunch and sit outside without my phone while I eat. Also, if outdoor dining at restaurants is an option for you where you live and you feel comfortable doing it, it is a great option to change up the scenery for lunch if you have time. However if you don’t, driving to pick up food or riding with someone to pick up food is another good way to get a break from school. 

5. Have two workspaces

I’ve found that doing school in one area and then doing homework in another area establishes a sense of normality while doing online school. This is because we are so used to learning at school and doing homework at home or in a different space, so even if you go to a different part of your room or sit on your floor to do homework, you may be surprised to find that you are more productive in this different space.

6. Use a planner

I have been using a planner since middle school, and I have never looked back! I write everything from when a certain assignment is due to what time I should take a break from homework that day in my planner. I also love to create a list in my planner of what homework was assigned to me that day, so if I don’t finish it all that day, I can just refer back to that list and get it done the next day. This way I know that I am not missing any assignments. However, a lot of my friends use an online calendar instead of a physical planner which works really well for them. I personally like the physical planner, but the best way to figure out what motivates you to be most productive is to try both. Regardless of what you choose, organization and time management are both crucial for being successful while doing online school. 

7. Eliminate distractions

I have found that putting my phone in a different room while I am in class makes me much more focused and productive. Obviously you can’t be on your phone in regular class, so doing the same at home will help you stay as focused as you would in regular school. I also do this for homework because I have found that I can finish my assignments in half the amount of time without all of the distractions from my phone. 

I hope you guys enjoyed this post and that these tips can be helpful for you if you are doing online school right now! Happy studying!