College is an exciting time for young adults looking to make their mark on the world. It’s a time of advanced education, new experiences, and a social life they’ll never be able to replicate. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has made the college experience a completely different world.
You don’t need to let Covid-19 ruin everything for you. With your online calendar to guide your time management efforts, you can own your college career virus or not:
Stay Up-to-date With Safety Guidelines
For starters, make it a point to keep up with safety guidelines concerning Covid-19. These regulations will keep you and your peers safe and enjoy as many activities as possible. Doing your part to stop the spread of the virus will also help keep your campus open for as long as possible.
Remember to wear a mask in public areas and to wash your hands often. Also keep social distancing guidelines in mind, especially if you’re attending classes in person. Your local area will provide regular updates on stages of reopening, which will guide your efforts to stay safe.
Learn How to Be Productive at Home
Unfortunately for some, classes will be held online until further notice. At the very least, public areas such as libraries will be restricted or closed, meaning you’ll have to find ways to be productive at home. Distractions will abound at home, especially if you don’t associate it with a place of productivity, so you’ll need to make some adjustments.
Designate an area that will be dedicated for studying and a specific time for studying in your online calendar. This way your brain will associate this spot with productivity. Pick a spot that’s quiet and secluded and get rid of all the distractions you can, such as putting your phone on silent and only listening to calm music.
Participate in Fun, Safe Activities
While education should certainly be your highest priority, college is also about having fun, making friends, and trying new things. There won’t be any school dances to attend and you should stay away from any parties that look too reckless. However, you can still come up with plenty of fun things to do with your classmates to create some unforgettable memories.
Here are some examples of Covid-safe activities you can add to your online calendar:
- Non-contact sports such as tennis and pickleball.
- Virtual games and activities where you get together online.
- A drive-in theater providing a safe movie experience.
- Outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.
- Take-out or delivery food to support local businesses.
Put your heads together and you and your friends should be able to come up with a much longer list of activities to enjoy. You’ll be surprised by how much fun you can have even while enforcing safety regulations.
Take Advantage of Available Resources
To help students through these unprecedented times, most universities are offering a host of resources in assistance. You’d be doing yourself a disservice by not taking advantage of these resources. Check out your university website to see everything that’s available to you.
If you’re working from home, check to see if your university is providing access to digital tools such as photo editing and video conferencing software to aid you in your classes. Also be sure to check for any financial assistance schools or the government is offering, as finances are a struggle for students even outside of a pandemic.
Keep an Eye on Your Mental Health
Just as important as taking care of your physical health during a global pandemic is taking care of your mental health. Weeks in isolation will take its toll on anyone, especially when straining yourself over studies and classes. Prioritizing your mental health will ensure you can dedicate the proper amount of time and energy to your studies.
Start by making sure you’re getting enough sleep. Exhaustion can magnify your negative feelings, especially when trying to complete a last-minute assignment. If you find yourself becoming too stressed, practice some breathing exercises or meditation to keep your cool. When all else fails, don’t be afraid to ask for help and book an appointment with a school counselor in your online calendar.
Your physical health will also be important, especially if you don’t have access to a clean gym. Regular exercise will release endorphins for your brain, and the activity will keep your mind active and uplifted. Try and stay away from the ramen diet and stick to a balanced diet so the learning comes easily.
Attend Virtual Events
Another great aspect of college is being able to network. Business leaders and industry leaders love to lend a helping hand to the rising generation, so be sure to use that student card often when making connections. Seasoned veterans in the field will be able to teach you a lot of stuff outside of the classroom, expanding your college experience as you prepare to enter the workforce yourself.
Networking events such as career fairs, workshops, and speaking panels have all been moved online in the wake of Covid-19. You can get just as much value out of these meetings as you would in person. Use networking platforms such as LinkedIn to connect with professionals to interview and find events you can tune into online. Be sure to take notes!
Years from now when you look back at your college career, you’ll be amazed at what you were able to accomplish in the teeth of a pandemic. Remember this time during the next difficulty you face, and you’ll be reminded that you can do whatever you put your mind to.
Hunter Meine
Hunter Meine is a BYU-Idaho graduate, husband, father, and writer. When he's not writing, he's playing sports or enjoying the outdoors with his wife and daughter.