During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to stuff our entire world into our homes. We hurriedly wrapped up our memories of freedom and squished them into the “when this is all over” box that has been sitting idle on our shelves since March. Saturday Night Out became Games Night In, brunches became Netflix marathons, and chilling with friends became hour-long video calls. The most significant change for students, however, has been the switch from in-person to online school. No longer can we giggle with the person next to us about the professor’s mispronunciations or have group study sessions in the library surrounded by the smell of books. There are a million things that we were robbed of this past year, but focusing on the negatives will only upset us more. 

When your home becomes your school, gym, restaurant, library, and theatre all in one:

Having rewatched and reread the entire Harry Potter series during the lockdown, it is not surprising that Dumbledore’s words from The Prisoner of Azkaban come to mind: “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

The reality is that no one knows when or if the world will ever go back to normal. Students — especially at U of T — know that we cannot waste time complaining about going back to normal. This is the new normal. And here’s how to embrace it. 

1. Divide your time to multiply your productivity

Since we’re at home (or in our dorms), travel time has reduced and socializing has taken a backseat. This leaves us with more free time on our hands to get work done, but assignments that would take an hour often extend to fill the entire day simply because “We have all day, we’ll do it later!” And so, “Only 5 minutes more!” on Instagram, TikTok, and Netflix leave us stressed 5 hours later, rushing to complete assignments just minutes before the deadline. 

I find that dividing my day into time slots works wonders. Working for shorter periods of time (with scheduled breaks, of course) feels less taxing than hour-long study sessions which result in even longer naps. On a random Tuesday, for instance, my schedule would look like this: 

It’s completely normal to get distracted, so I’d recommend leaving some extra time in case the assignments take longer than expected. Remember to schedule your hobbies and me-time; even if U of T doesn’t, you should prioritize your mental health!

2. Are you a science night owl but a math nerd early bird? Let’s find out!

We know that some of us work more efficiently in the morning while others late at night. What most people don’t know is that we have varying productivity during different times of the day during specific tasks. I learned this from a podcast, On Purpose by Jay Shetty, who discusses Daniel Pink’s book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing to help us create a schedule that optimizes productivity, leisure, health and me-time (yes, U of T students, it’s possible!). As someone who is both a math and English person, I find that my brain functions more logically in the morning, and hence, I schedule homework that requires rational thought (such as math, chemistry, physics) at the start of my day. I also noticed that my random outbursts of inspiration occur during the afternoon, which is when I am most creative, so I assign a few hours after lunch to work on essays for literature or philosophy classes. 

You know how sometimes a deadline for a huge essay looms, but you simply don’t feel like writing at that time? Pay attention to what your mind and body tell you, and plan your schedule accordingly. 

3. Separate your study space from your space of leisure

Has someone ever told you not to study on your bed or to move from the couch and sit upright at the table instead? It’s not that they don’t want you to be comfortable; they just want you to be efficient. Research shows that our brain correlates the spaces around us with the habits we practice within those spaces. A bed, for example, is where you practice the habit of sleeping. If you choose to study on your bed, your brain is tricked into believing that it’s time for a nap, and so, you are more likely to doze off (don’t worry, I’m guilty of this too!). To counter this effect, it is important to conduct different practices in different spaces of your home. Study at your dining table, perhaps, and watch lectures at your desk. Remember, categorizing your spaces will not only improve your productivity but will also contribute to regularised sleep patterns. 

While some of us are lucky enough to have our own space, others share their rooms. For those of you who occupy common spaces, I would recommend establishing a schedule that suits all the members of that space.