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One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, our world has completely changed. The workforce has become predominantly digitized and students from across the world still attend online classes as if they’ve been the norm for years. For better or worse, so many of us have become netizens. The internet is at the centre of our lives, more than ever.
The internet has become a place of many boons and banes. We have access to resources at the click of a button, but to contend with the vastness of the net has also become increasingly overwhelmed. The lines between the personal and professional blur, and more of us are becoming prone to internet fatigue.
At come to check in with you, assure you that you can do this, and leave some tips that will help you navigate student life in this digital era.
Let’s get right to it!
Try not to multitask.
Even if you normally can, it’s better to focus on one task at one time, because of an influx of sudden unfortunate news or other distractions. One way to focus is to study in concentrated time slots. The Pomodoro technique, developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1980s, is a fantastic way to build focus. What it essentially proposes is a system to demarcate a set time period where you can focus on your tasks one step at a time. It also helps you prepare your schedule with in-built breaks and periods of rest. You can read more about the Pomodoro technique here.
Pro-tip: While working on the internet, don’t keep necessary tabs open. If you have to work on two tasks parallelly, try demarcating the webpages you need for each on different windows.
Stay away from social media.
Set a few hours in the day when you stay away from social media, especially when you are studying. If you find yourself switching to your Twitter tab more often than you should, try getting a temporary blocker that limits your access to social media when you are studying.
Yes, we know this one is going to be tough, especially because social media has become one of the most reliable modes of communication in the COVID era. We’re not saying you should totally abandon social media, but perhaps it’s time to be conscious about how and when we use it, and how that affects us.
Reach out for help when you are overwhelmed.
If you are overwhelmed, communicate with your teachers or professors about the same. When you’re unable to adhere to a deadline or find yourself increasingly daunted by digital interactions, let them know.
While education is important, it shouldn’t come at the cost of your health!
We hope these tips help you study better. Follow PaperTrue for more insights on writing and studying in the English language.
