You have just switched your laptop on to watch a series on Netflix after a hard day’s work. But just when it is about to reach its climax, you remember that an assignment is pending, a live session is scheduled where you have to make a presentation, and a homework that needs to be submitted the next day. That is enough to stress you out.
Believe it or not, this is a common scenario among working professionals as well as college and university students. Online learning has made education flexible, but it has come with a few challenges as well.
While the challenges cannot be denied, it is essential to find a way to balance these things and successfully sail through the problems. Don’t worry, we have listed a few hacks that can help you manage multiple online classes without stress.
Hack 1: Create a Master Syllabus
The best way to stay on track with your online classes is by creating a master syllabus for the entire semester. That way, you need not go on checking the class sites every day. You will have everything in one place. At the start of the semester, go through every syllabus, jot down the important dates into a single calendar.
Here’s what you should do to turn this into an effective note:
- Color code every class to differentiate one from another
- Use tools like Google Calendar, Trello, or a simple Google spreadsheet
Hack 2: The Sunday Reset
It is necessary to start your week fresh and leave all the stress behind. The best way to do it is by blocking 30-60 minutes every Sunday evening. Tick the boxes that you have completed and take a look at what’s on the schedule for the next week.
The following are a few ways to do it effectively:
- Go through the master calendar for the next week
- Break down the larger assignments into smaller, daily tasks
- Decide on what’s important and what needs to be done on Monday or Tuesday
- This will also help you understand if you need to avail ‘do my online class’ services for assistance
Hack 3: Batch Your Tasks and Theme Your Days
The entire process of constantly switching between different types of tasks is hectic. However, if you don’t have a plan for the week, you will end up in such situations. As a consequence, it will hamper your focus and efficiency.
Theming your days like this can help keep things in control:
- Monday for lectures
- Tuesday AM for reading
- Thursday is for discussions
Hack 4: Define Your ‘Campus’
The stress of being available 24/7 arises from the situation of keeping up with both college and online education, or balancing work with education. The best way to beat the stress is by keeping a time for studies in a dedicated space.
The following are the ways to do it effectively:
- Create a dedicated space for studying
- Assign fixed hours for online classes
Hack 5: Use Technology Wisely
Technology can be both harmful and useful to all. Things like social media, OTT, etc., can distract you from your studies. It is important to use technology as a useful tool for focus, not a distraction.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Use focus apps like Forest, Freedom, or Turkey to block distracting websites
- Organize your computer files into proper folders for each class
- Use browser extensions like OneTab to collapse all your open tabs
Hack 6: Create a Virtual Study Board
One of the major challenges of online education is isolation. Students often feel isolated and struggle to get help when they are stuck. You need to take proactive actions to build connections. While you can always drop a ‘pay someone to take my online class’ query to get expert help, here are a few ways you can build connections and overcome the challenge of isolation:
- Use the class email list or discussion board to reach out to 2-3 classmates
- Create a small group chat for discussions and doubt clarifications
Hack 7: Schedule Your ‘Off’ Time First
You will not be able to concentrate on your studies if you are working nonstop. It is a crucial reason online students often complain about getting stressed with their studies. You need to find a time out to rest and refresh yourself before you get back to studies.
The best way to go about it is by:
- Schedule your breaks, hobbies, and social time before filling the calendar with work
- Make sure your gym time, time with friends, video game session, or your favorite TV show is mentioned as non-negotiable
All these put together will help you beat the stress and manage multiple online classes effectively. You will be able to complete the assignments on time, prepare for exams, and attend live sessions without being stressed out.
It’s about Systems, Not Stress,
The stress with online classes cannot be attributed only to the pressure of assignments, live sessions, and exams. It is also about how you manage all of them. Since most students are struggling with the classes, they must regroup and organize everything before they start the classes.
The key here is how well you know the syllabus and the schedule. You cannot keep things on hold till the last minute. Start by organizing the entire syllabus, marking the things that are more important, and having a dedicated study space and hours.
