9 Ways to Mentally Survive Online Classes

Raise your hand if you’ve been daydreaming about the apocalypse in a Zoom lecture.

In an article by YouGov last March, data journalist Jamie Ballard claims that 29% of Americans think that the apocalypse will happen in their lifetime. With the shitstorm that has happened since this article was published, I wouldn’t be surprised if this number has already spiked tenfold. So clearly, you are not alone in fantasizing (or realizing) that the world may be at its end.

If there’s anything that coronavirus has exposed, it’s how broken our systems are. It’s honestly been discouraging to see the world fall apart, just because some people choose to discriminate and even murder people based on one’s race, class, sexual orientation. It’s been discouraging when your democracy is constantly being threatened, and the men in power manage to pull hope further away.

For those of us lucky enough not to get hit by weapons though, we are getting brutally decimated in an equally dangerous place: the mind.

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I’m sure most of us are experiencing a level of anxiety in the current situation that our country has placed us in. I took the time to read this great article by Valerie Strauss of The Washington Post, that shows how teachers can re-purpose their curriculum to adjust to the students’ mental needs. Obviously though, not all schools are going to end up doing this perfectly, and we also have to pull our weight too, so I thought I’d see how we can help ourselves adjust to the new normal for our education.

Here are some things to reduce anxiety for students and young professionals alike (just replace ‘teacher’ with ‘boss’):

1. Realize that routines have changed, even for your teacher.

Most of us probably had our own routines pre-quarantine, but given the new living conditions we are in where our home and school lives are almost inseparable, you get a free pass! But, the same thing can be said for our teachers, who are all still getting used to teaching in front of a screen. Their lives have probably also shifted too, so don’t forget to empathize.

2. Be open to communicating with your teacher.

Help your teacher help you by addressing the elephant in the room. Not feeling well? Having family problems? Send an e-mail. The worst thing you can do is force yourself to attend an online lecture when you feel like you are mentally crumbling inside. Keep your fingers crossed that your professor will understand you.

3. Talk it out with your friends.

Maintaining strong relationships is more important than ever. It might be a given, but please process your thoughts with friends. Tell them what’s bothering you, because you know what? They might be feeling the same way as you! Schedule Netflix parties, do online game nights, or whatever you like to do together. There’s more to life than online classes

4. Reconnect with people from your past.

And no, I’m not talking about rekindling an old flame. I’m talking about your friend from six years ago that you had never spoken a word to in God knows how long, but still likes your Instagram posts. Feeling like you have a strong support system helps you feel more empowered, and the catch-up sessions you’ll have with them can provide a really good distraction.

5. Surround yourself with positive news.

Unfortunately, the algorithms that run our social media accounts force us to read through content that our friends share, which are more likely than not, bad news. Somewhere out there though, something good is happening to someone. Just Google “good news”, and you’ll have so many uplifting stories to lessen the pain from reading the news.

6. Know that you can help.

There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re useless in all this chaos. But you should know that you can always spread awareness through your socials, educate your friends, sign petitions, and donate. The worst thing you can do in a crisis is be apathetic. Don’t be that person!

7. Learn history.

Whether it’s a health pandemic, a peaceful revolution, or a civil rights movement, the important thing to realize is that there were victories in our history. And since history likes to repeat itself, we’ll probably win some time.

8. Express yourself creatively.

Truth of the matter is, not all of us are comfortable talking about problems with other people. With that said, it’s time to bring out the paintbrushes gathering dust in your room, or start your dreams of becoming a Youtube/podcast star. This is the time to channel your anger in a productive way, now that extracurricular activities have slowed down.

9. Take a break.

Don’t be afraid to disconnect once in a while, and prioritize your well-being. For my college friends out there, always know that you have cuts that you can maximize. If the news or your online classes are taking a toll on you, do something mindless. Only after having taken care of yourself, can you really perform at your best and help out other people

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I realize that the tips above do not have a lot to do with actual studying, but you know what, being at the right state of mind is more than half the battle. It’s just like an athlete needing a full sleep cycle the night before a big game. So try and hack your brain a little by incorporating the feeling of security in your daily life. Your mind will thank you for it!

Featured Image: Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels