- get dressed and style your hair as if you're going to school/work - even use the same perfume/ cologne as you normally do
(trick your mind into being motivated)
- plan things out - everything
(plan out your week, day, meal, etc. you can make these as specific as you’d like. this will help you stay on top of your work as well as stay healthy, especially if you live alone.)
- make studying/ working the first thing you do each day - best if you can start in the morning
(minimize the tendency to procrastinate)
- just start - don’t worry too much about perfecting or finishing anything yet
(if you don’t start then there’s nothing for you to perfect or get done. and it will never get done)
- listen to old and simple (aka non-distracting) podcasts, Youtube videos, or café/ chattering white-noise, etc. simply leave them as background noise to create an illusion of being outside your room
(bring the presence of people to you. my favorites lately have been slam poems from 2016, Mae Martin’s stages, and Awsten Knight’s crackhead podcasts)
- set timers, for both study sessions and breaks
(so that you don't overwork, burn out, or procrastinate. the Pomodoro technique works great here)
- take advantage of the comfort of your own home
(light a candle, have crunchy snacks, play loud music, review notes out loud while pacing around, wrap yourself in a blanket burrito, study on your bed if you can focus there like me, etc. basically anything you can't do in a classroom, office, or the library)
- if you miss your friends, call/ text/ facetime them, make a study group chat with them, etc.
(that is what technology is for)
- choose recreational activities/ self-care for your breaks instead of going on social media
(go on walks, make small art, play an instrument, stretch, take a nap, etc. I usually reach for my guitar, brainstorm writing ideas, or sketch very simple line art.)
- if you want to go on social media, do it during meal times - or the 15 minutes after your meals that you can’t work just yet
(it also doesn't make you feel like you’re wasting time)
- study in different rooms for a change of scenery
(dining room, living room, the patio, etc. I have an armchair next to the window that I study in whenever I need some sunlight and don’t have to write anything down. however, if you need a designated place to focus on your work, you can also use these alternative spaces as designated “relax” or “creative” place for your breaks)
- use this as an opportunity to take care of yourself
(get enough sleep, drink water, exercise, talk to your family, take your meds, be mindful of your mental health, etc.)
Feel free to add your tips. The current situation sure is unpleasant but it is unavoidable. All we can really do now is take care of ourselves, others, and try to make the best out of this.
Good luck to everyone and stay safe! My heart is with you all 💕
The 9-to-5 lifestyle is not only “slightly inconvenience” for us night-owls, but it can also be harmful to our health. Differences between night-owls’ biological clock and social clock - otherwise known as “social jetlag” - greatly diminish our productivity and increase health risks.
As a fellow night-owl - who have survived 7:30 AM high-school classes, 8;30 AM uni classes and internships, as well as 7:00 AM jobs - I have compiled a list of personal “survival” tips that I hope can be helpful for other night-owls, especially during the current situation.
I am not a physician, medical or education expert. These are my own personal experiences, and I would love to hear more from those who have insights into this problem as well!
1. Make sure you still have sufficient sleep
Being a night-owl does not mean you don’t need sleep. Establish a fixed time to go to bed, fixed time to wake up, and try to stick to them. Work your way backward from when your job/classes start to determine when you need to go to sleep. Always make sure you have a proper amount of sleeping time to keep yourself healthy and functional.
2. Plan your days based on the tasks’ complexity
When it comes to daily planning, I always divide my tasks into morning, afternoon, or night tasks, based on how complicated - or mentally demanding - they are. It usually looks like this:
The rule for my planning:
Simple, mindless tasks are done in the morning. This will create a working mindset and momentum for the rest of your day.
Then, the afternoon is where your day will truly begin. This is when the slightly more complicated tasks are tackled, such as lab reports, or reading assignments.
After dinner, the most complicated tasks will be completed at night, when your productivity is at its maximum. The period of time right before bedtime will be used for mostly artsy/ leisure activities- anything light to ease your brain into falling asleep.
3. Set aside 15-30 minutes before bed to free your mind of any thoughts that might prevent you from falling asleep
My mind is super loud at night, especially when I’m trying to go to sleep. All kinds of thoughts would invade my head, from plans, homework problems, to just random brain-vomits. This is why this small period of time is so important. It basically serves as a brain-dump, a place to let you go through all the thoughts you might have so that you won’t be disturbed by them later. It’s also a great time for self-reflection/ journaling as well!
4. If you have early classes, prepare for them in advance
This will reduce the pressure to follow morning lectures when your biological clock hasn’t caught up yet. Preparing for them in advance also makes it so much easier to understand and absorb new information. This is also super helpful for in-class quizzes/ clicker questions that demand you to understand the topic on the spot.
To make early classes even more enjoyable, record the lecture and revisit it later in the day.
5. Give your body time to wake up
Set an alarm for 15 minutes before your planned wake-up time. Don’t worry, you don’t have to wake up just yet. This period of time is for your body to adjust from sleeping/resting state to waking up. And this includes every organ from the brain, liver, to the heart. Jolting awake right as the alarm goes off is risk-inducing to your physical and mental health. Drink a cup of water during these 15 minutes. Go through your phone for a bit. Let your eyes adjust to the sunlight.
6. Make your mornings as enjoyable as possible
Blast music. Have fancy coffee. Open your windows for that ethereal sunrise light and fresh air. Meal-prep your breakfast. Plan your outfits and pack your bags the night before. Schedule to go to classes with your friends. Dance in your bathroom. Find things that can spark joy in you and incorporate them into your mornings - you don’t have to wake up miserable.
7. Take small naps during the day
If you need these power naps, it’s best to keep them short, about 10-20 minutes. Even if you don’t completely fall asleep during the 10 minutes, closing your eyes and letting your body and mind rest for a bit is enough to re-energize yourself. Also, try not to have these naps after 4:00 PM - it will mess up your biological clock. And no caffeine after that as well!
Feel free to add your own tips too! It would be greatly appreciated.
Of course, there is a long road until educational institutions and companies recognize the biological uniqueness of night-owls and make proper changes to provide a healthy, productive schedule for everyone. In the meantime, we can try to make compromises to play to our advantages and make the best out of our abilities.
Good luck to my fellow night-owls out there. I love you all 💕
my “sort-of-complete” online classes and exams tips
This is a longer-than-usual post with tips for the 3 stages of online classes: focusing during an online class session, reviewing/studying for online classes, and preparing for online exams/ quizzes. So I decided to insert the “Read More” link to (a) not take up too much space on your dash, and (b) feel more confident in adding more tips as time goes on.
These are tips that I’ve compiled from my experience of taking online classes during my last 1.5 years at university. But having all of your courses moved online is so much more complicated. Since I’m currently doing an internship, I have tried my best to produce this post based on the comments of my friends IRL and on Tumblr (hence the “my”). However, I hope it can still be useful for you and many who were all abruptly put in this same situation.
So feel free to share your own tips and experience! I will probably go back to this once in a while to make some changes to it and add your tips. Good luck to everyone who is currently/ about to take online classes. You are almost there! 🍀 I believe in every single one of you!
~ Click away for them tips ~
💻 DURING ONLINE CLASS SESSIONS:
- try to treat online classes the same as an in-person class, especially time-wise
(set a specific time for each class and plan your own class schedule. even better, study for your classes at the same time they used to be held. this will create a sense of routine and trigger the brain's normal reactions to your usual class - which is to study)
- don’t be afraid to fix your plan/ schedule (aka don’t force yourself into one if it doesn’t work for you)
(trials and errors, my friend. this applies to plans too. there’s no shame in not being able to keep up with the schedule you’ve made. if you’ve tried or if it hurts you mentally or physically, then that schedule is just not the one for you. everybody has their unique strengths and weaknesses. one’s perfect system might not suit another. finding a system that works for you takes time, patience, and courage. but it will be absolutely worth it)
- find a good spot with enough light and stable wifi
(if you have multiple options, select the one that would make you most comfortable, most focused, and confident enough to take online tests/quizzes/exams at - create your “exam space” in advance to reduce the anxiety of tests and unfamiliarity)
- study at a desk, if possible
(studying at a desk, with good posture, mimics the feeling of being in a classroom or the library. thus, it will create a sense of routine and help you focus better)
- accommodate yourself
(I’m all about making the best out of a bad situation, and this is one way to do it. accommodate yourself, not just with comfort, but also with actual necessities that you cannot usually get in your usual classroom/library due to whatever reason. stress balls, stim toys, positivity cards, calming music/candles. comforting plushies. chewing gum. as long as it helps you focus better, it's on the table)
- get dressed
(this will bring out that sense of structure and routine that you need. put on your normal outfits, uniforms and even perfume. trick your mind into being focused)
- minimize distractions
(declutter your study space. put your phone out of reach. turn off notifications. close all other tabs on your browser. select non-distracting music/ sounds. don’t spam or pay attention to spams in your classes’ chatboxes. only bring along items that are absolutely vital to your focus)
- take notes, even if you can record your lessons and/or access the lessons later
(it can either be digital notes or handwritten notes on paper - your call. this will force you to focus and prevent you from zoning out/ being distracted)
- be actively engaged in the lecture
(if there are technical problems or if you have questions, chatbox away. this is also good practice for people with social anxiety too: the fact that you are in your home and behind the screen can make it easier for you to ask for help)
- if possible, put your teachers/profs on the big screen to create the illusion of being in a lecture
(if your study spot has a TV/projector that can connect to your laptop and quality speakers, do it. it's more fun than you'd think. also super stimulating and kicks the boredom out of you too)
- if not, use headphones/ earphones
(speakers can create a feeling of distance between the lecture and yourself. combined with unstable internet and/or monotonous voices of some instructors, this may result in your brain classifying your lecture as background noises and zone out. so use headphones or earphones with the appropriate volume for that optimal focus mode)
- give yourself breaks between classes
(don't cram all your classes in one morning. but don't procrastinate either. time your breaks. look at something else besides a computer or phone screen while you’re on break too. maybe brew some tea/coffee for your next class or rearrange your notes from the previous one)
💻 REVIEWING FOR ONLINE CLASSES:
- make a schedule/ system - and be ready to change them
(this is an elaboration of an earlier tip. your system doesn’t have to work perfectly right away. most of the time, you will have to make some kind of adjustments to it anyway. so take it easy. pay attention to how well you react/ adapt to the new schedule so that you can make necessary changes. and give yourself - especially your mind - some time to adapt to the schedule. don’t rush yourself or put too much pressure on being productive. remember to take care of your well-being too)
- it’s okay to give yourself some off-days
(that’s the beauty of not having any physical or even abstract structure that forces you into an inescapable routine. Yes, I know this lack of structure sucks for a lot of us, especially for those who rely on external forces to keep themselves focused. But look on the bright side: now you don’t have to worry about missing classes or losing participation marks when you are unwell physically and mentally anymore)
- textbooks are your friends now
(especially when your classes’ live-streams are just chaotic and hard to follow. or when the pre-recorded lectures aren’t loading properly and keeps lagging. practice speed reading. look for keywords and crucial information. take notes rather than highlighting everything. compare them to your lecture notes, your syllabus, or your friends’)
- take advantage of the online format’s availability + other resources
(availability is here, baby! revisit lecture videos and podcasts as many times as you need to. check your email classes’ forums regularly for questions or announcements. re-listen to your lecture when you're cleaning or exercising. watch videos of Khan Academy or CrashCourse. look for online tutors. study at your own pace and in your own style. basically anything you wish you could do when your class was in-person)
- there’s no need to submit assignments early if it’s anxiety-inducing. but make a schedule/ tracking system/ set alarms to avoid forgetting to turn them in
(take your time to double-check or edit your work - as long as the submission box is still open, of course. set aside about an hour or two before the deadline for submission to avoid any technical difficulties. and remember to start working on them early so that you don’t have to shorten that window of time and have more time for double-checking)
- don't be afraid to email the profs/teachers
(if possible, compile your questions into a list. be as specific as you can about your concerns. put a subject for your email to reduces the chance of your email getting lost in your instructors' inbox.)
- reward yourself
(don't stress yourself out by rewarding big accomplishments. reward small victories. reward baby steps. reward effort. you'll get things done eventually)
- take time to know your learning style
(when are you most focused? do you like taking digital notes or do you prefer pen and paper? are you a visual or an auditory learner? do you like moving around while studying? what drinks or scents or sounds keep you going? you don't have to stick to your usual study methods or an online/paperless one now that you are studying in your own room)
- listen to your mind and body (it’s okay to feel a bit lost)
(from my own experience, times that are without structure like nowadays is when most of us fall into this spiraling downfall of unhealthy sleep schedules, lethargy, and loss of purpose. so please take care of your mental and physical well-being during this very, very weird time. keep yourself active. re-ignite old interests/ hobbies. connect with people you love. give yourself some love)
- and more tips on productivity at home in my last post right here
💻 PREPARING FOR ONLINE EXAMS / QUIZZES:
- make a list of all the online exams and final assignment due dates
(this will help you keep track of and stay on top of them due dates. from that list, trace backward to make a review or study plan to prepare for the tests and work on the assignments. if there are any time conflicts, especially for those who are now living in a different timezone from their schools or colleges, email the instructors to seek solutions or alternative options)
- again, find a good spot with good wifi, good lighting, and a desk
(if possible, try to recreate your ideal exam environment as closely as you can while studying and reviewing for the exams. this can reduce the anxiety of tests and/or unfamiliarity)
- be prepared for technical difficulties
(especially mentally, so that you don’t plan out a course of action to take if they ever arise. draft an email template. research in advance the contacts of people whom you can report to - IT personnel, your instructors, student office, etc.)
- bring everything you need to the exams - but no distractions
(like mentioned earlier, if you need any special accommodations that are considered "unacceptable" in an in-person exam/quiz, now it's the time to bring them along - you’re in charge of your test space now, so make it as comfortable and accomodating as you want)
- plan your desk set-up prior to your exams
(so many extra items. still so little desk space. therefore, plan ahead so your desk does not turn into a mess when you take your exams. plan where you want to put your notes, textbooks, calculators or scrap paper. think about how much use you’re gonna get out of each item and place them within or slightly-out-of reach accordingly. charge your laptop. sharpen your pencils. have your backup stationery handy. lay out everything you need onto your desk the night before your tests. this can create a feeling of preparedness and thus, reduce anxiety as well)
- make cheatsheets
(the goals when making them are simple: (1) get you to rewrite your notes for that good memorization; (2) condense your information and find a connection between them for a thorough understanding of the materials; (3) reduce the time you use to flip through your notebooks or textbooks or google for information during the actual tests)
- time yourself with mock exams
(if you are given mock exams to practice with, do them, with a timer. this will help you familiarize yourself with the stress of being timed, thus reducing your anxiety during the actual tests)
- get enough sleep and eat properly
(even if the exams or quizzes are online, they are still, at their core, tests. and tests are always stressful and energy-consuming. so take care of both your physical and mental health, especially during the week leading up to your exams)
More quick tips of mine to protect yourself and others
In pink to hopefully lighten up the current mood, specifically for those who still have to go to work or school like moi , which hopefully is not a lot of people.
- Hand sanitizers cannot replace soap and water
(please wash your hands with soap and water whenever you can. hand sanitizers should be treated as an option B only)
- Wash your clothes after you’ve been to a crowded, public place such as the mall or grocery stores
(especially if your clothes have metal details on them. this goes for metal details on shoes and your wallet too - remember to disinfect them properly)
- Cut your nails, if you can
(especially to avoid biting them, either out of habit or anxiety)
- Write small reminders onto your hands
(not only does this helps you remember to do - or not to do - certain things, but it also serves as a distraction. you would feel compelled to look at your hands more. can’t really do that if your hands are touching your face right?)
- With some specific types of doors in public buildings, you can lean your back onto them or use your arm/ elbow to push them open
(basically find as many alternatives as you can to not have to touch them with your hands)
- Minimize the use of earphones/ headphones, phones, etc. when you have to go outside
(I’ve been trying to leave my phone at home to prevent myself from spreading germs onto its surface with my unwashed hands. this virus can live on these surfaces for long periods of time, so it is best to not invite them into your house and bedroom via your phone or earphones. I would also recommend disinfecting these items when you get home)
- If you have to go grocery shopping (at some point), it’s better to use credit cards than paying in cash. bring your own pen to sign receipts as well
(reduce contact with the cashier, other people in line, and possible external virus carriers like coins that have been passed from people to people during previous transactions)
- If you have/want to use your cash, try your best to estimate the amount you would need to make your interaction with the cashier shorter, as mentioned in the previous point
(I used to do this all the time when I’m in a hurry and now it turns out to be a really efficient strategy in our current situation)
- Be careful, sure, but try not to get paranoid
(take care of your mental health during these times. be selective of the information you receive. remind yourself that the prevention is simple: stay at home, don’t touch your face, and wash your hands. remind yourself that it is preventable if you pay just a little bit more attention to your habits/ routines)
- Take care of yourself (and your immune system too)
(get enough sleep, drink loads of water, use mouthwash, eat, exercise, etc. also be mindful of your mental health, as I mentioned before)
- It’s definitely okay to feel lost and scared
(it’s okay if you want to cry. it’s okay if you’re overwhelmed and confused. it’s okay if you don’t want to read the news or see the numbers right now. it’s okay if you need distractions. it’s okay for you to feel)
- And finally, please think about others too
(this is the time to adapt and work together, not to whine or step on others for one’s benefits. don’t hoard things you don’t need. give up unnecessary steps in your routine like going for coffee or boba. be willing to stay away from friends, family, and loved ones. you are in this whether you like it or not. your contributions matter. your actions matter. your willingness matters)
These seem like small changes, but I hope they play a big part in protecting yourself and breaking harmful habits. If you are currently working or studying from home, I’ve got some tips on productivity that I hope can help you too.
Feel free to add yours to the list. We can do this, guys !!!
(p.s. you can tell I’m angry by the last pic)
