The reality of mostly online classes is sinking in, along with an overwhelming number of due dates and endless to-do lists.

So, right now I want you to pause and take a deep breath. Literally, stop reading and breathe in and out. Feeling any better? The small practice of taking a deep breath when I am overwhelmed has revolutionized my time behind a screen, and I hope it can do the same for you. I am so happy you’re here; keep reading to learn five more practices to help you feel less overwhelmed every time you look at your planner or sit behind your laptop during this odd season.

Change up your scenery.

Recently, your home has become a combination of spaces: a restaurant, gym, coffee shop, and so much more. It has likely become harder to compartmentalize the aspects of your day because most of it is spent within the same four walls. My biggest advice during this transition is to designate your space. Make sure your home is still a home. Recognize that your space is special and treat it as such. Try spending a few hours working from home, but not all day. Move to a coffee shop, a friend’s place, outside to get some vitamin D, or even on campus! Change things up (wearing your mask, of course) and see how much your productivity soars.

Create a routine.

This seems redundant, trust me I know. We have been hearing this since before we even stepped foot on campus. However, this season is full of challenges, and I believe that the creation of a routine will change your week from aimless to accomplishing. My advice? Sit down on Sunday and take inventory of everything you have to accomplish that week. Then, divide up the work—now this is the important part—per day. Yes, I did basically just suggest creating a to-do list. However, go with me here... By dividing up the work by day, not by week, you can create time limits for yourself and make your time more meaningful. This practice eliminates staring at your planner every morning and trying to figure out where to start.

Equate the hours of your day.

One of my favorite things I have learned as a student is that my time is valuable. When I recognized that the hours of my day were worth the work I produced, my mindset completely shifted. In the career world, you are paid an hourly rate as a reward for the work you complete daily. If you think about your academics in a similar way, you are rewarded with grades, and ultimately a degree based on the classes you take and the work you put in. Your hours mean something. If I want to balance a social life, physical fitness, wellness, school, and work, then I have to make every minute of my day count.

 Do. Not. Disturb.

This small feature on all Apple products has changed my life. I am so thankful for technology and the ability of my Mac to communicate every notification I receive. However, this is not helpful for my productivity, and I can assume it’s not for your’s either. Take account of your time today and turn on the “do not disturb” feature on your devices.

Keep that to-do list short.

I am always overly ambitious with my to-do lists. I account for more hours in the day than I actually possess. This often leaves me feeling more defeated than accomplished at the end of the day. Hear me when I say this: you still need to complete the classwork you assigned for that day, but create a to-do list that captures that. Instead of listing every assignment on your planner (that you’ve already written down for the week), list the overarching things you need to get done for your classes. Then list other tasks, such as going to the grocery store or washing a load of clothes. This leaves you with an awareness of what needs to be done, a small to-do list, and a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day.

Online classes are difficult and possess an entirely new set of challenges. That means you might need to change some habits! However, taking these small steps will help you take a deep breath and start each day with refreshed confidence in yourself.

 Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Kazmine L.