College & COVID-19: Pro Tips

The social distancing and remote classes can make our regular pre-COVID-19 college lives feel, well, remote. The challenges that each of us face are different, but the need to experiment to find what works during changing times is universal.

 

In the next two blogs, FAU Thrive student interns share their strategies for productivity, wellness, and balance.

 

1.  Creating Structure

By Abigail Chavez, FAU Senior

Color-coded google calendars, to-do lists, and back-to-back meetings were my norm before the quarantine. I was a bustling bee on campus, buzzing from place to place on a defined weekly schedule. I had a workspace, study spaces, research spaces, all designated to help my productivity and focus. All that went out the window as soon as everything went online. My tailored schedule and structured time and space disappeared. Trying to figure out what structure meant during these strange times took a lot of trial and error, but it is what keeps me consistent and accountable. One of the best things I did is to set up morning calls at 8 or 9 am every day to ensure that I am out of bed. I could not let the snooze button win. By doing, this I am out of bed every single day roughly around the same time which also helps me to be in bed at the same time. After a week or so my body got used to this schedule. The best thing I did was set my environment (as best as possible) for my success, that looks different for everyone and takes experimenting and that's okay. 

 

2.  Designing Accountability

By Katelyn Macias, FAU Freshman

For the first few weeks of quarantine, I was falling behind in my schoolwork and was super disorganized. It’s easy to procrastinate during these times, but I think I know something that might help: an accountability partner. Find a friend or a family member to hold you responsible for your schoolwork and other tasks you may have (like if you’re working remotely). Create a calendar with all the due dates for your assignments and things you need to do, and then share it with your accountability partner so they can help keep you on track. I did it and it has greatly helped me be productive, get my work done, and not procrastinate!

 

3.  Finding Peace of Mind

By Katie Wheeler, FAU Senior

During these times of uncertainty, it is common to have a noisy mind. Personally, to help cultivate a sense of inner peace and groundedness, practicing mindfulness through yoga and meditation has been effective. By reconnecting with our breath (which is essentially our life-force-energy), focusing on our bodily sensations, and observing our thoughts without judgement, we have the power to improve brain function, reduce stress and anxiety, alleviate chronic pain, increase self awareness, and more. All of these benefits are especially essential right now. To practice mindfulness through yoga and meditation for free, check out the links below!

Yoga:   https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene/playlists

Meditation:   https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu_mPlZbomAgNzfAUElRL7w/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=2

 

We hope that at least one of these tips is useful to you as you navigate the challenges of our current situation.