Finding Balance during Virtual Barnard
Seven months into quarantine, I am still trying to find the balance between personal and school life, and still grappling with a world almost entirely online. I was nervous to start school again after what felt like such a long break, but I’ve developed a few habits that help me stay grounded during online school. While I’m definitely still learning, I hope some of these tips can help you find balance!
Setting Personal Boundaries
I find that making to-do lists in the morning helps me stay on track throughout the day, but I am also kind to myself in understanding my lists won’t get done everyday. Every evening I set a time cut-off for when I’ll stop doing work and do something more relaxing until I go to bed. This also applies to how much screen time I have each day. Obviously with all my classes and most of my homework being online, it’s difficult to limit my screen time as much as I’d like. Between online commitments, I like to do something off-screen, which usually involves reading a book for fun or spending time in the kitchen making a coffee or fun new recipe. It helps me clear my mind and refocus because my mind gets pretty foggy after staring at my screen for too long. Exploring this new virtual world has also taught me a lot about productivity and how important it is for me to prioritize my mental and physical well-being in order to show up as my most focused and motivated self.
Knowing When to Take a Break
Setting personal boundaries also has a lot to do with knowing when to pause and do something unrelated to school or other commitments. A method I enjoy using during studying is the Pomodoro technique, when I set a timer for usually 25 minutes and take a 5 minute break between each session. During these breaks I usually blast a song and dance around my room to get energized before I sit back down to keep working. I also like taking longer breaks throughout the day, usually between subjects or after classes before I sit down to do homework. I love watching a couple episodes of a TV show, doing a workout, or just sitting outside to soak up the sun (it still feels like summer in Vegas!). Taking breaks is so necessary when doing schoolwork for long stretches of time, and especially central to creating some semblance of balance between online and off-line life!
Finding Creative Ways to Stay Connected
Now more than ever, I find myself needing to find innovative ways to stay in touch with friends with so much physical distance between us. I love FaceTiming, but too much screen time gives me headaches and eye strains which makes it harder to call friends for hours. I love voice calling and going for walks so I’m getting fresh air and catching up with a friend. I have also really enjoyed writing letters because I love the personal feel of sending something physical, especially because I can include things like a tea bag or photo. During the weekend or whenever I have fewer screen commitments, my friends and I use Netflix Party so it feels like we’re watching TV in real time.
Honouring Alone Time
Something that’s gotten fuzzier during online school is finding space to carve out personal time. I’m living with my parents at home right now, so I do spend quite a bit of time on my own. However, I’ve found it a bit difficult to prioritize self-care without feeling like I should be doing something more ‘productive’. In an effort to remedy this, I set a nightly cut-off time like I discussed above, and make sure I spend time each day doing something purely because it makes me happy! I’ve found this simple act of honouring personal time each day makes me feel more grounded and present.