With COVID-19 causing school closures, it can be challenging to find a new normal. Read on for some tips on how you can effectively study and work from home!
April 15th, 2020 Writer: Mishti Dhawan, Mona Matsuda Study Resources
Countless schools and universities across the world are now closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be a stressful time due to all the uncertainty, making working from home more challenging. In this article, you will find some useful tips on how you can spend your time more productively during this time.
Before we dive right in, we want to address the pressure that has come with staying at home. There is an expectation to make the most out of this time by getting work done, exploring new hobbies, and working out. Know that you are not defined by how productive you are or how you spend this time at home. You do not have to write the next bestseller or come out of this quarantine with a perfect body. Your mental health comes before everything and it is totally valid to take time off and not check off everything on that to do list.
That being said, let's talk about how you can create a new normal during this quarantine!
Plan your week!
Take out some time to make a list of all the things you want to get done that are work/school related. Schedule these tasks throughout your week. Using a planner or a calendar can be useful, but you can also go for a simple notepad. Planning out your week ahead of time can help you get back into routine and create a sense of calm amidst this panic. However, make sure to be realistic with yourself. It can be easy to be ambitious and schedule an overwhelming amount of tasks for each day. Don’t schedule more than 3-4 tasks per day. Take into account how much time each task will take you, and give yourself some extra time just in case something comes up.
Clearly define your work/study hours
Defining your work hours can help you set work-life boundaries and get more focused work done. Set aside a couple of hours for work throughout the week and plan your tasks around this time. During this work time, put away your phone or other potential distractions. This is your time to check off your to-do list. You can also team up with a family member and work together during these hours to create more accountability.
Set aside time for self-care
Make sure to schedule some time to check in with yourself. Do more of what you enjoy. This quarantine time is a great opportunity to slow down and check in with your mental health. Getting enough sleep, talking walks, spending time outdoors (while social distancing!), watching Netflix (Tiger King?), taking naps-- are all great ideas for self care! But remember that self care is about a lot more than taking bubble baths and watching Netflix. It is also about being kind to yourself when you feel unproductive or unmotivated. It is about being less critical of yourself. It is about being there for yourself on both the good and bad days.
Communicate with loved ones
Social distancing does not need to prevent us from connecting with loved ones! Call your friends and family to check in with them. You can also schedule Zoom calls with your friends and do self-care activities together. Whether it be virtual picnics, lunches, painting sessions -- connecting with loved ones can make all the difference. Reach out to your loved ones when you need help or if you feel stressed. You are not alone and sometimes a loved one can help.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
Your best looks different each day. Remind yourself that there is no right way to work from home. We’re all figuring it out. Some days you might be productive and check off all those boxes but other days… you might not feel like doing anything. And that’s okay. Your work does not define you. It does not define your worth.
Hope these tips help you out! Remember to stay at home. For your loved ones. For the health care professionals. For those at risk. For your own safety.