Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Student Life

I Survived Week One of Online Class. Here's What You Need to Know

As someone who has never taken a class online in their entire academic career, here are some of the things I learned.

Abigail Ensslen

Mar 25, 2020

I Survived Week One of Online Class. Here's What You Need to Know

Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash

So... the big kickoff to online classes happened.

Was it awkward at first? Yes. But here's some of the information I gathered to take into week two.

Get a pair of headphones

Shop Staples for Altec Lansing 007 Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, White (MZX007-WHT)

www.staples.com

Just because you're at home, that doesn't always mean life is going to stop around you. People are going to need to make phone calls, do chores, and cause distraction. Any type of headphone to get you through is the best option. The Altec Lansing 007 headphones (shown above) are for the budget-friendly student, but I use regular Apple AirPods to get through mine.

Space is key

Desk with books, a laptop, and pens.

Photo by Olena Sergienko on Unsplash

I have a very small desk, so making sure I have room for my laptop and iPad is critical. Also, making sure your surroundings are going to be beneficial to the environment so you don't get distracted.

Speaking of environment, make sure your space isn't going to show anything chaotic

Me in front of my tapestry of The Great Wave off Kanagawa

Behind me, there is all of my stuff from moving in, plus shelves of Precious Moments dolls my grandmothers got for me when I was younger, so I decided to hang a tapestry with command hooks and safety pins.

Keep beverages on hand

Bai Brasilia Blueberry

https://www.drinkbai.com/products/brasilia-blueberry

Any time I go to class, I make sure I have a bottle of Bai Brasilia Blueberry on hand. This is sold at most grocery outlets.

Distraction will happen, but make sure you stay focused

Photo by Thibault Penin on Unsplash

You think regular college was hard when it came to distraction? Well with online school, I had to learn how to hold myself accountable and make sure to focus. Especially considering nobody is around you.

There is an art to muting and unmuting the mic

This is key for if you have food that you know is on the louder side, or don't have/want to use a mic.

Technology isn't always the best for everyone

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Navigator on Unsplash

I had to boost my internet to the max just to get decent signal in my home. Other people may not have that ability, and bad technology is a thing. Besides that, lagging is also a classic issue.

Lighting! Lighting! LIGHTING!

heyday™ Cell Phone Selfie Light

www.target.com

Some of us have the blessing (or lack thereof) of either having minimal lighting, or something that makes you look a totally different color. My bedroom/office is hot pink (I was 13), so my lighting makes me look more pink than I already am. A small ring light such as this one can go a long way.

Your educators are trying their best, and that's okay.

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

For some educators, the idea of running a class fully online with a platform such as Zoom may be daunting. They may still be learning the ropes of how to navigate the software. However, give them credit where credit is due, because they are trying their best.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Entertainment

25 Beatles Lyrics: Your Go-To Guide for Every Situation

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

SUNY Binghamton

41060

Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less

best beatles lyrics

Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Smith College

103888

college students waiting in a long line in the hallway

StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

waitlisted

Recommended for you

I Survived Week One of Online Class. Here's What You Need to Know

As someone who has never taken a class online in their entire academic career, here are some of the things I learned.

So... the big kickoff to online classes happened.

Get a pair of headphones

Space is key

Speaking of environment, make sure your space isn't going to show anything chaotic

Keep beverages on hand

Distraction will happen, but make sure you stay focused

There is an art to muting and unmuting the mic

Technology isn't always the best for everyone

Lighting! Lighting! LIGHTING!

Your educators are trying their best, and that's okay.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Student Life

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter