Regulating Your Space and Maintaining Normalcy
It’s best to have at least one, but ideally two, potential work spaces that you can devote to doing your work. These don’t have to be exclusively yours, but places you can use to study. One dedicated space is essential, two spaces are good to give you variety. This will help with learning and also motivation. Ideally, having a window nearby for natural light is also good for your spirits.
Gather your essential materials (notebooks, writing tools, texts/readings, print-outs etc.) and keep them in your dedicated space so you know where everything is and you don’t have to keep getting up to get the things you need.
Build your to-do list for the day. What do you want to do during your study time? What are your goals? What do you need to complete? Create a list of tasks and the steps needed to complete each task.
Take breaks, both long and short, including lunch breaks, mental breaks, bathroom breaks, exercise breaks, etc. Take your breaks strategically—not too often but often enough to give you the energy to work more. You may need to play around with this a bit. Some people work for 50 minutes and then take a 5-10-minute break, others need to take more frequent breaks. Make sure that when you do take a break, you get up and walk around. Don’t continue looking at your screens checking social media or email. You need to give your eyes and your body a break.
At the end of the day, review your to-do list and revise it for the next day. Take a moment to congratulate yourself on what you were able to accomplish.
It’s important to stop working too and do other things that make you feel good. Connect with your friends, watch Netflix, read a novel, meditate, do yoga, take a walk or run, start a new hobby, find a way to volunteer your time to help others—anything that makes you laugh, builds your spirit and/or your body will do fine!
The following are short articles to help people who work remotely. You may find them useful too: