During this transition to online classes, students are looking for a way to adjust to this and finding a way to manage their time well to ensure their success in their classes. 

For many students that went from face-to-face meetings for class, to now suddenly transitioning to online classes, one of the most important things during this transition is being able to relax. 

“I’m a big proponent of meditation and getting yourself to a place where you are allowing yourself to relax,” said Athletic Counselor Matthew Wohl. “We focus so much on our bodies that we don’t realize that our brain is our strongest muscle.”

 Wohl suggests dedicating some of your time to meditation to allow yourself to relax when feeling overwhelmed or stressed due to these changes in the middle of the term

In addition to this, Biology professor Jena Trench suggests getting enough sleep, to eat healthy, and exercise because they are proven boosters of attention. 

It’s also recommended by Wohl and Trench to be able to develop a new schedule now that classes have transitioned to be online and we are being advised to stay at home

“It’s important to have a set schedule,” said Wohl. “Living your life under quarantine doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want, it means you should actually have more structure because otherwise, you’re going to be distracted.” 

 Trench said the most effective schedulers plan their day five to 10 minutes in the morning or before going to bed. 

 “Get on a schedule, however long it takes you to do that because this is a new transition, so it could take a few days or a week, but the sooner the better,” said Wohl.

Wohl said it’s important to identify a place to study, whether it’s a quiet place or if you need music playing while studying. He also said it’s essential to have somewhere you can be productive while at home.

Trench said it is not recommended to schedule long study sessions because few people can study effectively for more than two or three hours without a break.

“Now that you’re home all day, you can take breaks, like two-hour increments,” said Wohl. “You don’t need to study eight hours in a row.” 

Trench also said to schedule harder tasks when you are most alert and concentrate best, and to make sure that you are doing your work daily, instead of letting all your work pile up. 

Twenty-one-year old journalism and sociology major Ramsses Rodriguez said the  transition has certainly thrown off the daily routine for students, as well as their priorities due to the coronavirus, which would result in time off from completing classwork. 

“I can’t be 100% focused on it because of work, family, and the coronavirus,” said Rodriguez, in regards to upcoming assignments due in his classes. 

Despite this, students are willing to do what’s necessary in order to succeed.

“I have worked on a routine for myself that is easiest for me, but it’s still hard because I usually wake up late, and sometimes I miss things that are on my schedule, but I am more than willing to take the time to do all those things so I can be successful,” said Alan Garcia, an 18-year-old communication studies major.