Tips On How Students Can Minimize Fatigue During Online Learning.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized how we live life in almost innumerable ways, particularly regarding teaching and learning activities. Presently, Moodle platforms online have overhauled the physical classroom due to the social distancing measures that are in place to promote the flattening of the Corona-virus infection curve. Asbury Park School District, for instance, is now using Google Classroom, and amid this change, there are concerns about the mental fatigue that comes with students sitting in front of a computer all day to attend classes. This article seeks to offer ideas on how students can curb the psychological and physical fatigue that arises from e-learning. Here are some:
1. Daily exercise will keep the burn out away
The importance of physical and mental exercise seems to be overemphasized but it should not be underestimated. Dr. Karen Mustian of the University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, recommends a 20-minute walk or yoga daily for at least 3 to 5 days a week. Alternatively, one could do stretches such as the calf stretch, neck stretch, back stretch, golf ball stretch, and floor bridge, which are really easy to do.
2. Be Proactive, not Reactive
Get into the habit of doing what you must do on time instead of waiting until there is barely time to perform your duties at ease. Take on as few projects at a go as possible, while making the best use of class groups to delegate classwork among yourselves and setting strict but realistic deadlines for each portion of work. Divide your work into manageable chunks and work on it progressively, according to priority and urgency. Avoid procrastination. This kind of organization will save you from the mentally overwhelming last-minute rush to complete assignments and study for assessments.
3. A goal without a plan is just a wish
In the words of our founding father, Benjamin Franklin, ‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.’ Proper planning is key in e-learning. Work on a good internet connection in advance, log in early to ensure everything is running smoothly, plan for a conducive space for learning/ teaching, set a limit on the number of video sessions per day, schedule your day’s activities in advance and create a routine that you can stick to daily. Lastly, include in your schedule some bathroom breaks in between sessions and for some refreshments too.
4. Speaking of goals…
Ever heard of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goal setting? You could prioritize your work based on the prioritization matrix and Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs for example. Our minds are conditioned to crave for instant rewards because of dopamine in the brain. In light of this, set small achievable goals for each day and reward yourself for those little milestones. This way, you will be more motivated even as you work towards the bigger picture.
5. Communicate
The director of the movies Kungfu Panda, John Powell, once said, “Communication works for those who work at it.” This means that you need to talk to your teachers about any problems that you may be facing with e-learning instead of struggling to figure out things by yourself. Teachers are here for you and because of you. Let us know when the workload is too much to be completed by the given deadline; let us know where you are stuck or need clarification, and whatever else may be of help to you. Doing this will spare you the mental exhaustion of withholding legitimate concerns and attempting to figure out everything by yourself, especially now that we’re learning to use new forms of learning.
In conclusion, you should accept the fact that things change, and friends leave, but life does not stop for anybody. Therefore, we all have to do what it takes to adapt to life’s twists and turns because that’s the only way to make the most out of our opportunities in life. There is no need to fear change or let yourself be negatively affected by it. We only have to understand what the change is all about and adjust our lives accordingly.
