by Eboni Freeman ’21
We have been in online classes for about 2 weeks. Personally, two weeks doesn’t seem like enough time to adjust to our new reality. I understand the world won’t stop spinning and time won’t cease just so we can comfortably adjust to the situations we find ourselves in. But it sure would be nice if we could be graced with more time to find our bearings, and I doubt I am the only Davidson student who feels this way.
The adjustment to online classes and, essentially, working from home has been difficult to say the least. My motivation and productivity have declined given that I have come to associate my home with a place where I don’t have to worry about schoolwork. And most recently, my mental health has started to diminish due to the stress of the mounding assignments and reviews and being cooped up in my house with nothing to do.
To increase my productivity, I have moved to different rooms around my house, that aren’t my bedroom, to do work. It was recently suggested to me to designate a spot that is solely for work. It could be a small corner in your bedroom or another space in your house – somewhere you associate only with work.
To improve my mental health and to get out of the house I’ve gone on a few runs, but I am not a huge fan of running so it’s not my go to activity. I’ve Facetimed friends to stay connected and I’ve tried the Netflix Party extension on chrome. You can’t see the person you are watching with, but they have a chatroom where you can chat with the while the show or movie is playing. Yesterday I went on a walk around my neighborhood with my mother and learned so much that I didn’t know – was wonderful because I was going stir crazy studying for my upcoming math review.
A few other suggestions I’ve received include, scheduling Facetime dates where you can catch up with or have a virtual meal with a friend. Go outside even for a few minutes just to get some fresh air. If you are quarantined with family (or friends) start that TV series you’ve been talking about (I recommend Tiger King). A few resources that you would find on Davidson’s campus are also still open to you, virtually – the Counseling Center, the Tutoring Center, the Center for Career Development to name a few.
Everything might not be fine, but you have the ability to make the best out of this given situation by focusing on the positives.
