The Art of Distance Learning
Although our time on campus has ended, it does not mean our classes have. COVID-19 has prohibited us from being on the campus we flock to every year, and forced us to work from our bedrooms and kitchen tables.
Juggling papers, tests, and readings may be tough, but it’s not impossible. That being said, there are many ways to keep the momentum going, even while attending class in your pajamas.
Professors at Marist have completely reworked their courses, especially the classes that require special equipment and interactive lessons. This in-person aspect of learning is vital when it comes to lab-based classes, such as video production. Professor Ana Silverlinck, a video production professor, had to make the quick transition for her students.
This structure was something Kaitlin Weber ‘22 found extremely beneficial while completing this semester from home. “I’ve been putting more effort into my planning for each week. Every Sunday evening I sit down and write a detailed plan-of-the-week. Otherwise it’s tricky to find the motivation to do schoolwork some days.”
The class jumped from producing content on professional film cameras in a studio, to working with a phone camera and laptop from home. “Equipment-wise, we had to improvise and work with what we have,” Silverlinck said, “...we have to adapt and move on to Plan B, which is an excellent lesson for anyone going into video production — and frankly for life.” She also noted that iLearn and the Center for Teaching Excellence workshops helped her better prepare for an online transition.
However, ‘plan b’ or this switch, has been difficult for many students and staff. The best thing one can do for themselves right now, is create a daily or weekly system. University of Pennsylvania’s Online Learning Initiative encourages students to make a structure, “Set goals that keep you motivated and engaged with course materials on a consistent basis.” Helpful tips include maintaining a calendar of dates and times to complete school work, as well as check-in with professors and classmates. This will create classroom-like interaction and allow for an ample amount of time to execute work, while still having free time for yourself.
This structure was something Kaitlin Weber ‘22 found extremely beneficial while completing this semester from home. “I’ve been putting more effort into my planning for each week. Every Sunday evening I sit down and write a detailed plan-of-the-week. Otherwise it’s tricky to find the motivation to do schoolwork some days.”
Turning off Netflix or putting your phone away are just a few of the distractions that can be paused for an hour to get work done. Multitasking will only prolong the process of completing a paper or watching an online lecture. It will not only be easier but faster to complete an assignment if you focus on your work and suppress the urges for some sort of entertainment. Doing this will make the rest of the semester much easier.
Similarly, finding a quiet space will make a dramatic difference helping you focus. Working at the kitchen table with your siblings around may not be the most efficient way to finish school work. Doing work in your bedroom or a quiet nook in your home will eliminate distractions, allowing you to better understand what you are learning.
Some of us are not in the most conducive learning environments. We are no longer in a classroom with lectures and notes on the board. Now, it’s up to us to find a place where lectures can be easily comprehended.
Another way to succeed while doing classes from home, is to treat school like a job. It may feel like a weird, early summer, but it is not a break yet. As we are on the brink of graduating and entering the workforce, it is never too early to start learning some career-driven techniques.
A few simple tactics include getting up early to prepare for online lectures and having a success-driven mindset. Making a conscious effort to show up to class and having the mindset to be productive, helps produce job-like behavior. This teaches self discipline and allows you to work more efficiently and independently.
But according to Nicole Morrissey ‘22, there is just nothing like a Marist classroom.
Morrissey emphasized that self discipline was a skill she was able to improve when she started taking classes from home. “I just really miss the in-person aspect of the resources available at Marist.”
Although it is difficult, making school your top priority will only increase your success rates for life after college. In a time of uncertainty, it is important to put our energy into the sole thing we can control; our education.