Coping with Online School

In a sea of “cyaan badda,” a virtual jungle of “dis naah work out” and a symphony of “hiss teeth,” some students are yet to adapt to the online space. The transition from physical classes has been nothing short of a disaster for some students dealing with two catastrophes; the COVID-19 pandemic and their battle with the digital arena. Online classes are a new adjustment with us having to familiarize ourselves with online platforms. Surely, this can take a toll on our health because now most of us spend our days clicking, scrolling, and tapping away; unbeknown that we are not taking care of ourselves. How do we regain some sense of normalcy? How can we cope with this pandemic?
 
There are several drawbacks to online education, particularly relating to technical issues like connectivity and device malfunctions. Owls, we must ensure to take our digital breaks. Please ensure that you are not sitting in this virtual space all the time. Ensure to communicate with classmates and lecturers regularly to avoid missing anything. Make sure to eat healthily and drink adequate water daily. Manage your time wisely by setting a timetable, sticking to it, and setting alarms for your classes.
 
 Let’s look at some coping mechanisms employed by our Owls that we can mimic.
 

• Britania Mighty, an Owlet majoring in Philosophy, has established a study/revision schedule for her classes and ensures that she takes her vitamins. It is imperative that we refresh not just our minds, but also our bodies.

• Shemar Mitchell. a Journalism Owlet, copes by eliminating distractions. He does this by applying the “do not disturb” feature on his phone when it is time to study. He also commits to his study times and tries not to diverge from his study plans.

• Tamoya Williams, a second-year student, copes by organizing herself. This Language and Linguistics major uses a planning app and starts her assignments as early as possible. We can learn from Tamoya, who takes breaks and spends time with friends whenever she can, thus prioritizing her mental health. 

• Tajha Winkle, a final year student majoring in Animation, says she deals with online school by keeping alarms on her phone for classes and exercises self-control by turning off her phone. Tajha also designates days where she does her assignments.