EDITOR’S LETTER
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF
Remote Remot
Learning Learnin WRITTEN BY
Samra Karamustafic ILLUSTRATED BY
Jillian VanDyke
Make the transition to online classes a smooth one for a successful semester ahead.
R
emember when we all thought that by the time August rolled around, the pandemic would be over? Flash forward to the Fall 2020 semester, and the situation is unlike anything
we could have imagined back in March. As many of us know, many classes at Cleveland State University have switched over to remote learning, which comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Online classes provide us with great benefits, such as a greater sense of freedom and flexibility over when you work on assignments, which is perfect if you’re juggling both school and work. However, online learning has a few not-so-appealing aspects, too; maybe it’s that the Wi-Fi signal in your home is spotty or your rambunctious family downstairs makes it challenging for you to focus on your schoolwork. Thanks to a variety of online resources, you have an arsenal of tips and advice that will make transitioning over to online classes that much easier for you. At the end of the day, we all want to make the most of our situation, and here’s how you can do just that.
31 | VINDICATOR
SET UP A DESIGNATED WORKSPACE I get it: there’s nothing cozier than working on your assignments while snuggled up in bed…until you decide five minutes in that you’re tired and would much rather watch another episode of your favorite show. That’s why designating a specific area in your room or home for studying can be incredibly beneficial in terms of productivity. It could be as simple as clearing off the dining room table for a few hours while you work. Once you get into the habit of sitting in that same spot, your mind will subconsciously begin associating it with productivity and work, and a spot like sitting at the table is less distracting than a comfy bed with Netflix just a Google search away. CLEAR YOUR WORKSPACE OF ANY DISTRACTIONS Have you ever tried doing work with your phone right beside you? The entire time, all you see out of the corner of your eye is the screen lighting up as new notifications pop up. From personal experience, I can tell you that it won’t take long until you reach for it! Luckily, there are features designed to keep your mind off of your phone while you’re getting work done, such as the “Do Not Dis-
