Let's Talk: How To Prepare For Online Classes

First off, I hope everyone is adjusting to this new "normal" that we will be in at least until the end of April. I am sending positive energy and thoughts your way. It is definitely a weird adjustment but it really does make me appreciate all the little things in life that maybe I took for granted in the past.

I am so excited to get back into the routine of classes, in-fact I had my 9:30am Pilates class this morning online and I was so happy to see everyones beautiful faces and hearing how they are doing and getting through all of this.

My university is using the Zoom platform to take classes online and it was surprisingly very easy to join my class. I have learned that it does take a lot of self-discipline for online courses. When I used to get prepared for classes I would wake up and force myself to get dressed and go but now I don't have that accessibility to go out and be motivated. I have to now be motivated by myself and use the screen as my contact to the outside world.

Waking up an hour early gives me time to mentally prepare for the day. I can take Ollie outside and then get myself ready with plenty of time to clean my room and get online. Surprisingly, I am not the type to wake up and eat breakfast. I need about an hour before I am ready to eat so I usually just enjoy a cup of coffee. My planner at the moment is not in the best condition, a lot of my classes have taken out assignments as well as added new dates so it has been a rough task to manage. 

Online Daily Task Agenda
@Tristanpaigef

  

Instead of my weekly planner being my only source of organization and time-management I decided to make an online daily task agenda that will help keep me on track. If it is going to be a really busy day and when I have a lot of assignments due or a project I will then set it as my lock lockscreen wallpaper. 

Taking a minute in-between classes to get important daily tasks done is important. Make yourself a snack, brew a coffee, watch your favorite YouTube Channel or Netflix show to get your mind in the right headspace to begin a new class. 

I have also found it hard to complete a lot of my assignments while I am in the comfort of my own apartment. I usually am able to get out and go to a coffee shop to really buckle down and focus but instead I have to make the space I have work. Make yourself a playlist with your favorite coffee shop jams. I know you probably want to listen to your Saturday night playlist but sometimes it can be a distraction that won't allow you to focus the task at hand. I listen to my playlists when I am working on school work and blogs so that it clears my head and allows for me to be invested. 

Looking for a few songs? Here are my top 5 most relaxing coffee shop songs:

1. All The Time by Bahamas 

2. Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear
3. Islands byThe xx

4. Underdog by Alicia Keys

5. Space Cowboy by Kacey Musgraves

Light some candles, make your space relaxing. This is your new classroom, you need to be focused and not make it a stressful space. As for me, my classroom will vary from my room to the living room. If you read my last blog post I explained how this is a very stressful time for me and my colleagues in the dance world. We are constantly being inspired and motivated by one another so without them it is a struggle. We'll get through this and when everyone reunites it will be a feeling like no other. 

These are just some things I have done to make the transition to online classes a little smoother. I'd love to hear how you all are doing as well! Stay safe, wash your hands, and practice self-distancing! 

xoxo

Coming Up 

Monday, April 6, 2020: Let's Talk About How I Edit my Instagram Posts

Let's all do our part and practice social-distancing! 

New Posts Coming Every Monday!

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest @tristanpaigef if you would like to see a little bit more about my lifestyle!