Now that we are nearly halfway through the semester, it is safe to say that working from home is vastly different from working on campus. That is no surprise. We have had to adjust to new ways of learning, staying organized, and keeping our stress levels low.
Since I am taking 22 credits this semester, while also working three jobs and an internship, staying organized is essential to my productivity. The app that has kept me sane throughout the madness that is online learning is Notion.
Notion is a fairly new application designed to allow users to create their own systems for knowledge management, note-taking, data management, project management, and more. I first heard about Notion from YouTube and was immediately intrigued.
However, upon further research, I became completely overwhelmed with the endless possibilities Notion has to offer. So I turned to the source and began researching Notion setup on YouTube. After watching about a dozen videos, I found Mayer Raphael Adelberg’s Notion for Students video to be the most helpful. He provides a template that makes the overall setup super easy.
After using Notion for six weeks I can definitely say that it is extremely helpful in keeping me organized. All of my notes, due dates, Powerpoint lectures, and Zoom links are in one space that is easy to access. Notion also has a mobile app that automatically syncs so that you can access your materials from anywhere.
I know the online semester can be overwhelming, but taking the time to get organized and stay productive is definitely worth it. If you are feeling stressed, give yourself a break. The assignments will be there when you get back.
– Rikki Rosenthal
With my chaotic schedule and inability to keep track of time, the Chrome extension Clockify has helped me log my work hours accordingly. It is easy to navigate and allows you to pause the clock if you decide to take a break.
Another Chrome extension that has been a lifesaver is Dualless, which allows you to split screen and merge tabs for those of us who only have one monitor or are working from a laptop. Dualless makes viewing two tabs really easy, and you don’t have to fuss over formatting anymore.
With any busy schedule comes the need for some tunes. Typically, I love to listen to Lo-Fi when studying because it isn’t distracting but is fun to listen to. However, I recently discovered the beauty of Ambiance videos on YouTube and have been obsessed ever since. Two of my favorites include Fall Coffee Shop with Light Jazz Music and Coffee Shop Ambience with Piano Music. I also made a playlist that I will be updating with my favorites regularly:
I know the online semester can be overwhelming, but taking the time to get organized and stay productive is definitely worth it. If you are feeling stressed, give yourself a break. It is okay to relax, watch some Netflix, light a candle, and just self-indulge for a bit. The assignments will be there when you get back.
Taking care of yourself and your mental health is the most important thing right now. Take a deep breath. You got this.
