January 13, 2021

Completing College During a Pandemic

Nic Armbruster – Associate

During any college experience, there will always be highs and lows. They can range from balancing out a healthy work/life schedule and dealing with hard professors to pulling all-nighters studying for that test you procrastinated for. However, throwing a global pandemic in the mix can complicate that already-challenging time even more.

In 2021, depending on the university, most colleges are primarily online using Zoom to educate its students. This puts a strain on both the professors and students because it takes out the face-to-face interaction, making it easy for students to skip class and for professors to cut class short and not teach as thoroughly. Did I mention that more homework assignments seem to be added since years past, too? Here are a few ways you can complete college during a pandemic.

Study more… and at a desk

From a college student’s perspective, most professors would say they still teach the way they always have, however, many more students would disagree. Most subjects are not taught as well through Zoom, so students are forced to teach themselves. Practice reviewing the lessons you just learned immediately after your class. One great place to look at is KhanAcademy. This website breaks down any topic you are studying to the absolute basics.

Another tip is to work at a desk during your classes. When you lay in bed during your online class (yes, we all do it), you are less motivated to pay attention, and definitely less likely to take notes. Sitting at a desk helps eliminate most distractions and keeps you motivated to listen and learn.

Reach out to your professors

Since office hours are not possible or occurring anymore in order to practice social distancing, you might not think about meeting with your professor. It still however is very much a thing, just through the internet now. It never hurts to email your professor and admit to them that you are struggling to learn the subject. Mostly all professors are in their profession to better students’ academic lives, so why would they not want to help out? Reach out and get that help you deserve! You’ll thank yourself later.

Stop procrastinating

Procrastinating is difficult to catch up on in general, especially during a pandemic. Although it is easier said than done, you will never regret working ahead. Whether that be with studying early for a test, starting your research paper a month in advance or making flash cards weekly so you don’t have to do them at the end, you’ll appreciate not being crammed for time later down the road.

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