Whether you are a returning student, or this is your first year attending post-secondary school, there’s no question embarking on this journey in 2020 means things are looking quite different than you would have previously expected.

Perhaps some (or even all) of your classes are running solely online? Maybe you are living at home, instead of moving out? Perhaps you are feeling unprepared - worried that your schooling was cut short last year?

These are things none of us could have expected and can most certainly cause anxiety and fear - and rightfully so! Change, uncertainty, lack of control – these can be very unwelcoming and stressful things.

If this sounds remotely familiar, we want you to remember that you are NOT going through these emotions alone. Teachers, faculty members, school counsellors, and students are all navigating these times alongside you. Nothing facilitates understanding and empathy more than having gone through the experience yourself.

To help further ease any anxiety you may be feeling, we have compiled a list of tips on how to navigate this post-secondary world in light of the coronavirus.  

1. Treat an online course like a real course/job
   • Get ready - get dressed, brush your teeth & hair, etc
   • Don’t be ‘late’ to school or reschedule school time for social events
2. Take the time to learn the virtual space
   • Perhaps more than ever, it is extremely important to understand which resources are available to you virtually, where to find them, how to use them, etc.
     • This includes things like writing centers, therapists, tutors, library links, etc.
   • If you are a first year student, you may not have had the opportunity to learn the lay of the land on campus
     • Dedicate the time instead to learn the "virtual campus" - taking as much time as you need to really understand what resources your school provides
   • Joining Facebook groups or forums for your University/class year can help you learn more about these resources and where to find them
3. Hold yourself accountable
   • Perhaps find a classmate as an accountability partner (like a gym buddy)
   • Make checklists with what goals you wish to accomplish each day
   • Implement firm boundaries – finishing school once you’ve accomplished your goals for the day (ie. put laptop and school work away when you’ve accomplished your goals)
     • When you don’t ‘go’ to school, it can be easy to simply continue working, blurring the boundaries between school time and personal time
4. Practice time management
   • Designate certain hours each day/week where you sit down and read, watch lectures, work on assignments, study, etc.
   • Set weekly goals as well each Monday, and check in with yourself mid week to see if you are on track or if you need to re-adjust
5. Set up a workspace that is inviting and dedicated for school
   • Wherever it is (coffee table, kitchen table, office), make sure you have a space to keep your files/books organized
   • If you can, find space near natural light, and fill it with things you love (ie. candles, plants, essential oil diffuser, blanket, etc)
6. Avoid distractions
   • If possible, avoid setting up a workspace near distractions (ie. tv, bed)
   • Limit unnecessary screen time 
   • If you can, turn your phone on do not disturb mode, at least for certain hours of the day
7. Learn when and how you are the most productive
   • Some people work best first thing, some work best in the evening – carve out school time whenever you can best get down to business
   • Similarly, determine what type of learner you are
     • Auditory – online classes should be great
     • Visual – may want to consider printing off the lecture slides so they are in front of you during class 
     • Kinesthetic - Perhaps you can convert your notes into hand drawn mind maps
8. Do your best to actively participate
   • Use discussion boards to ask questions or answer other students’ questions
   • Don’t be afraid to add to the conversation
9. Collaborate with others
   • It may feel like you are learning on your own, but this couldn’t be further from the truth
   • Many online classes are built around collaboration – working with other students to complete assignments and discuss lectures. Use this to your advantage
10. Email etiquette is essential
    • Emails may be the only form of communication you may have to speak with profs/TAs
      • Adding things like “good morning”, “hope this finds you well”, “please”, “thank you” – all can go a long way