The stress of Covid-19 and having to suddenly quarantine came out of nowhere for many of us and many people, especially students. Having to transition to quarantine was not only a shock but also a drastic change that caused many students to fall behind in school work as well as feeling the pressures of getting moved out, so what should you be sure to prioritize while you are in an online school?

The Biggest Change

One of the biggest changes for you as a student might have been going from in-person classes to 100% remote. Although this transition might seem nice at first, being able to wake up later, and not having to get dressed for class and walk there, slowly has begun to take a toll on many student's mental health. With less time in the classroom, this has taken away many things that have proven to be essential for students.

• Consistent Human Interaction- Although you might not be best friends with the people in your classes, you are still seeing them on a day to day basis allowing you to have interaction in person.

• Structure- Having classes that were essential to go to and weren’t synchronous and asynchronous lectures helped provide structure to your day without you even knowing it.

Working With What’s Given To You

Another massive change might be where you’re now living. For many people, this means moving from a college lifestyle, and back under their parent's roof. Although it’s nice to be home for quality family time and home-cooked meals, it can also be difficult to adjust to living with your parent’s rules again.

Quarantine Crazies

Although these are just two things that students could be struggling with right now, they are also some of the hardest adjustments to make and you might even find yourself in the same boat. So whether you are looking to get through the last month of the semester or your school is all online for the spring and you are looking how to cope during quarantine as a student and what to prioritize, then you have found the perfect guide.

Improving Grades

With many activities restricted during quarantine, it makes it much easier to prioritize grades and schoolwork during this time. Although the schools have transitioned to online for many people, you might now have much more time to get assignments done and study for exams being that school is your primary focus. Prioritizing school during this time can allow you to boost your GPA, which will be helpful when school returns to normal, and if you possibly have a hard time transitioning back to normal, you will have boosted your GPA during this time and put yourself in a good position.

Connecting Through Different Platforms

Although many professors are no longer doing in-person office hours, many of them are now doing online ones. Joining these through whatever platform they are providing them whether it is through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or even emailing them shows initiative on your part. This initiative is important during this time because many students have given up during this quarantine and stopped doing work now that it is online. Showing that you’re not only doing the work but also invested in it shows that you care and will possibly make your professor more likely to be open to help you on projects, answer questions, or might even give you a boost if your grade is on the fence at the end of the year.

Under One Roof

For many students, moving out and moving in back in with family is an adjustment for everyone. Whether you are a freshman just getting used to the freedom of college life of a senior who is completely independent, this is a major change. The ample amount of family time is quality time that I’m sure you’ve probably heard you shouldn’t take for granted, which is very true. In 10 years you might look back and remember quarantine memories with your family as some of the best, so it’s important to appreciate them. Balancing your time between school and family is important to ensure you don’t fall behind but this also allows you to have time by yourself when necessary. Being a college student from home is a learning process for you and your family, but enjoying the time you have with them will make the time much more enjoyable.

Enjoyable Activities

While it’s important to remain safe and socially distant, there are still plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy activities like before. While this might not seem like something that needs to be a priority, making it one can allow for you to get a much-needed break from screen time and get physical activity. From doing solo activities such as running or going on a walk, to doing things with close family or a few friends can allow you to not only have interaction but also get Vitamin D, and overall have an improved mood.

Branching Out

With possibly more time on your hands, you can use this time to your advantage. With school taking up a large portion of your time and extra-curricular activities possibly taking up the rest of your time, the school year doesn’t leave much time for you to branch out from your normal routine. You can now use this time of quarantine to research possibly jobs, businesses, and what it is you are interested in. Although you might already know what you’re majoring in, you might not know exactly what you want to do. Researching jobs that are out there for your major, or even the business you could start from your major is a great place to start, and what better time to start than now with all this time on your hands.

Act-On Your Findings

After you have researched potential paths for your major or even what business you could start if you are interested in becoming an entrepreneur, you might be able to act on this research and look for internships to learn more about this. Internships allow you to gain knowledge in the field and identify if that is truly the path you want to pursue. If you decide that you want to start your own business, getting an internship or shadowing someone will be key for you to be able to determine if that is a field you want to go into.

Preparing For The Semester Ahead

Now that you have had about a semester and a half to get used to online school and quarantine, you can now prepare for the upcoming semester. Not all schools are the same, some are all virtual, while some are half online and half in person. No matter your schooling situation, the upcoming semester will be different than the college experience you’re used to so, why not do the best you can to prepare for it? With an idea of the toll, online schooling can take on you and your mental health, building a schedule and even creating one that possibly has rest days, days for activities, or breaks from electronics can allow you to go into the semester prepared to do your best.

Stressors Beyond Your Control

While these tips we have gone over are helpful for coping with school and your social life during quarantine, there are still many things that are out of your control during this time. You might have been forced to leave your dorm without enough notice to move out and only had to grab the belongings you needed for the time being. This is the case for many students, all across the country and even the world. Moving out of college was the last thing on many student's minds as they were just trying to figure out what was next for school and when they would be back next. But, now the time has come for you to start thinking about it, moving out. Getting moved out of your dorm is no easy task, especially during this time. That’s why a company like Storage Scholars has made it effortless for you. Storage Scholars is practically a “dorm room mover”, with their team they are dedicated to getting you moved out of your space and storing your belongings in a safe place until you can return. Storage Scholars has helped thousands of students across the country that are unable to move out and made the process easier for them and their families. So check out https://www.storagescholars.com for all of your college moving needs.