Monday morning Zoom classes can be tricky: should I wake up a few minutes earlier for that first shower in a handful of days, or do my sweatpants seem fresh enough to make it until Wednesday? These questions I’ve recently asked myself are so very miniscule in terms of importance during this time; however, in terms of enhancing your productivity levels and learning how to be an online schooling scholar, these game-time decisions may make or break your internet “school” day.

Creating healthy habits is key to ensure that a mid-social distancing breakdown doesn’t completely take over you and your college career. Whether you follow a routine at school or not, choosing a wake-up time for weekdays can really help paint a better picture of what the day should entail. 

The past three days my eyes have popped open at 7:30 a.m., which, honestly, sounds a bit intense, but it has made me feel less like human garbage. Spring break had me rolling out of bed at noon, but now that Zoom has entered my life, changes definitely need to be made, and fast. Not for anyone besides my own wellbeing.

Forgetting about food has also been an obstacle I have noticed within navigating our new “normal” school day. Sometimes the stress of keeping up with the new arrangements of assignments or even finding that old email with the Zoom link can be time consuming. 

Keep a few secret snacks on hand wherever you find yourself working at home: that way you don’t have to deal with the hangry repercussions later. On the flip side, celebrate the chance to cook with loved ones or finally find the time to explore a recipe that intimidated you.

Another element to this madness is the constant flood of news and updates. Everyone wants to know more about resources and that sweet older gentleman that celebrated his anniversary from outside the nursing home window; however, with all these updates, it’s easy to get sent down a rabbit hole. I can’t even tell you how many TikToks I’ve referenced for my source of information in the past two weeks. Shut off or silence your phone for at least an hour every day and maybe swap that screen time for some coloring. It seems crazy, but coloring books are making a comeback as a way to combat stress snacking–I swear.

Make sure to get outside and breathe fresh air. It can sometimes feel like an ordeal to find the time to get some sunshine once you’ve finally found your study groove or you feel settled in your sulking for the day, but can be necessary after days of being cooped up at home. Queue up a new podcast or create a playlist for every emotional roller-coaster you’ve been feeling, and just walk. Stephanie Sarkis wrote for Forbes’s “How to Stay Sane During Quarantine” that “being outside can help “reset” the brain. Nature moves at a slower pace than humans, so you may find yourself adjusting to a different rhythm. It’s a nice break from how quickly things are changing right now. Exercise is essential right now, both for your body and your mind. Any type of movement counts as exercise, including walking on a trail while keeping social distance.”

That being said, take it easy on yourself. This isn’t something we prepared for or have published self-help books to lead you in the direction of understanding the year 2020. Being kind to one another is what the world needs right now. Whether that means sending snail mail to distant friends, or having (only 21 and older) Zoom happy hours. 

Hey, we weren’t prepared for this kind of college curveball. That being said, no one knows what they’re doing right now. but I promise you after a shower and a vegetable or two, your body will thank you. 

But who am I to talk, I’ve been in the same sweats since 2019.