College campuses have never been more different than they are now. Virtual this, mask that. Slather it all over with a healthy serving of hand sanitizer. I'm sure it's a really weird place right now. I wouldn't know though, because I'm taking all my classes from the comfort of my bedroom. That's right... I'm entirely online.

Like so many others in the country, I'm trying my hand at being an online student this semester, and if you're wondering, it's not all sunshine and daisies. In fact, it can be very much the opposite at times. Like torrential downpour and poison ivy.

We all got an idea of doing college virtual when Covid first hit last spring. Most hated it and wanted to be back in their safe haven of (insert college town here). Others actually weren't too upset about finishing off the year online. I was one of those others. It didn't bother me too much, and at least I didn't have to see my professor who constantly licked her lips throughout class in person (I still have nightmares).

This semester is different though. Majority of my peers are taking at least one of their classes in person again and are back on campus. I'm hundreds of miles away from my campus, trying to teach myself the difference between ionic and covalent compounds. Yeah, that's right I said 'teaching myself'.

Some professors are handling their online classes extremely well. Whether we meet over Zoom/WebEx weekly or it's an entirely online class, I have teachers who are taking this whole pandemic in stride and rolling with the punches. They have detailed notes, helpful assignments, and other aspects of their class that are making the transition to online learning much easier.

Other professors though seem to not be adapting as well to the changes, and yes, it is fairly noticeable to their students. They seem to fall into two camps. Half of them post a few harried PowerPoint slides to Canvas and expect us to do the rest of the work. While the other half throw every type of assignment under the sun at you within the span of a week. More times than not, you're going to have to do more work in online classes. More homework, more notes... heck, even more YouTube videos so you understand something (Yes, I'm looking at you, Physical Science Survey 2). I get that these are just as stressful of times for professors as it is for students right now, but I just wish we could find a happy medium.

If, however, your professors haven't quite perfected the art of online teaching yet, don't despair. Sometimes we just have to work harder, and yeah, that sucks, but there's not a lot you can do about it. So far what's helped me juggle all my competing homework assignments is keeping a schedule. I know how overused and cliché that is to say, but it definitely makes me feel like I have a little more control in my life when I can check something off my planner.

Also as clever as the old adage "due tomorrow, do tomorrow" is, don't do that. Lots of teachers schedule due dates the same day, so please get a head start on some of your work sooner in the week. It might seem tedious, but it will save you a lot of stress.

Whether all of your classes are normal again (which I highly doubt) or you're completely online like me, give yourself a break during these weird times. Celebrate the little victories. Take time and do something you enjoy. As tough as the schoolwork is, just remember: you're always tougher.