This COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up nearly all aspects of society, and those living in Jacksonville military housing are no exception. Whether you attend the nearby UNF or another school, odds are you will be subject to either partial or completely remote instruction. This lays another heap of responsibility on college students; you already have a bunch of things to worry about, and now you don't even have the support of a classroom to keep you on-task? Fortunately, there are a myriad of things you can do to help yourself and your academics in this historic time.
Disciplining yourself is incredibly important, now more than ever. If you want to succeed in academics, or in life in general, any military personnel will tell you that discipline is a must. So, what does that look like? If your remote classes are handled the same way most universities are handling it, you will need to attend your classes at the times they are held. This means you will need to plan accordingly. Showing up to your online class with a pen and paper in hand is a recipe for success, while showing up to class half awake, laying down on your furnished apartment's couch, and unprepared is a recipe for disaster. You might be in the comfort of your own home, but you are still a student making the most of these unprecedented challenges!
Your school will give you a schedule, but you should create a schedule of your own, personal to you, that helps you stay organized and on-track this school year. Personally, I like to wake up and either do stretches or a workout before my classes start so my brain and body are wide awake. I like to wake up before my roommates do, so my apartment is quiet and I can get focused and ready for what the day has in store. However, your military housing roommates can help keep you accountable for going to classes and getting school work done. Figure out what works for you! If you don't require or drink caffeine, then maybe you're the type of person who enjoys a morning meditation! Or if your class is in the afternoon, maybe you need that extra caffeinated pick-me-up so lunch doesn't knock you out! If you're the kind of person who likes to get homework done right away after class so you don't have to worry about it later, stick to that schedule. Find whatever method works for you so you can enter your classes and wrap up school work on your own time and terms and can stay focused .
If you are struggling with a subject in a class, do not hesitate to speak up. Too many students turn their microphones and cameras off and stray away from the day's lesson, but paying extra close attention in your classes is going to help you in the long run now more than ever. Your teachers may have slots available for you to meet with them privately and discuss what topics are troubling you, but you may not always be so lucky, especially in larger classes. There are countless online resources available, like Khan Academy, who help students globally 24/7.
With all of this free time students worldwide have right now, comes a lot of responsibility. Students living in military apartments with other student roommates may find it easier to stay accountable and on top of academic responsibilities than those living in studio apartments, while some students living alone may find their daily routine is all they need to stay successful. Find a plan that works for you, stick to it, and keep on keeping on! We are all in this together.