5 Ways To Stay Organized and Motivated in Hybrid Classes

Back at the beginning of quarantine, online classes seemed nearly impossible. Mustering up the motivation to log onto Zoom and sit through hour-long lectures was the last thing anybody wanted. Being back on campus has helped some gain motivation, but for others, it has done the exact opposite.

Being surrounded by friends, and not your mom yelling at you to clean your dishes, can make it challenging to focus on classes. In addition, having hybrid classes can confuse even the most organized people. We have compiled a list of tips and tricks to help gain motivation, stay organized and tackle this strange time in which we are living. 

Invest in a planner/wall calendar

This may seem obvious, but seriously, it helps! Having to physically write down when you have to log on, the time assignments are due and when your clubs meet can definitely help more than jotting them in your phone notes. There are a number of different sites where you can order personalized planners or wall calendars. Some of our favorites include the Russel and Hazel acrylic calendar from Amazon and Papier’s weekly planners.

Zoom with friends!

If being in your room alone gives you no motivation to get work done, then invite a few friends over during class time. Even just putting in Airpods and sitting near other students can help you feel like you’re in class. Some students work best if they aren’t with their friends, so if that’s you then disregard this tip! We understand that getting work done right now is difficult and frustrating, but friends can make that feel a little less treacherous.

Change up your scenery

Zoom from your kitchen one day, on an outside patio the next or even socially distanced in a coffee shop. Constantly changing up where you do your online class can keep you excited and engaged. Some days it may seem nice to lay in bed with your camera off, but your teachers deserve more than that! It’s important to at least act engaged, and Zooming from different places will keep you occupied (and out of your room!).

Get up before class

Walking to class in the mornings is usually the thing to wake us all up. Whether we had a long night or just didn’t sleep well, getting to your first class is always difficult. Then, add to that the fact that some of us don’t even need to get out of bed for class.

If we could emphasize one thing, it would be to wake up, get out of bed, eat breakfast, brush your teeth and go through your whole routine as if your class was in person. Not only will it physically wake you up, but it will also help put you in a better mindset to start your classes that day.

Schedule meetings

If you have a completely online class or a class that meets once every two weeks, schedule a meeting with your professor. Sometimes it can be difficult to get your work done when you are not physically in the classroom or having relationships with other peers. Scheduling a meeting to go over work or even just getting to know your professor can help give you that extra kick to work harder.