how I get through online classes

I'm finishing up my online masters program this semester... yes, it's fully online. Let me tell you, it's complicated to do online classes. I mix up due dates all the time and rarely get to talk with classmates. This is probably how virtual jobs feel as well... It honestly does not feel real, but there are ways to make it feel more real. 

The hardest thing to overcome throughout this online program was my own lack of motivation. It's hard to get myself past the "stare at screen for 30 minutes and somehow end up on youtube" part of studying. My biggest helper was honestly thinking to myself let's just answer this one question or I'll jot some ideas down into bullet points and come back to this later. Half the time, this gets me to continue working past that single thing, because the hardest part is just doing something. 

Sometimes, I'll do this one thing, and still can't work past that. When this happens, I get up and move somewhere else, whether it's just my bedroom or going out to the coffee shop down the road, do something that isn't staring at a screen. I'm telling you, put that phone away and go for a walk, drink a cup of coffee, anything to give your brain a break and reset. 

Talking about the phone, the best thing for me is ALWAYS to plug up my phone in another room while working on stuff. Even if you're good about it (my screentime is legit always around 2-3 hours per week and somehow I'll still end up scrolling even on good days), just keep it away. If your family or a friend is persistent, let them know you're away for studying and if they need anything, you'll be back in an hour or however long you want to work for. They'll understand and know they don't need to worry about you if you don't answer immediately. 

Lastly, just make friends with your classmates! You don't need to be best friends, but especially if you all are in the same major, you have things in common. Even just the fact that you chose the same class as others can make it easy to make acquaintances. If you have a discussion board post, leave your email or phone number for classmates to contact you! I've done this as a "study group chat" and plenty of other things, it helps a lot and I'm sure your classmates will like this. Schedule weekly zoom calls, ask questions about homework (even dumb questions can spark conversation), create a space for you and your classmates that are interested to meet each other and create contacts for future jobs, as well as getting through the next exam or paper! Also, don't fret like me if no one picks up your offer, not everyone is reading through everything and we've all got stuff going on. Reach a hand out for contact info any chance you get so you and the other person can do anything from helping on one part of a project to helping each other get jobs. 

I may make this a series as I'm sure there's much more to go over. Comment anything you would want me to cover in the next post! Thanks for reading <3