Ever since our not-so-recent transition to online school, it has often been quite difficult to look on the bright side. Most of us are holed up in our rooms, staring at a laptop screen for hours on end. Our days went from fun nights out to quiet nights in. Even though we don’t know when life will go back to normal, it could do us some good to move away from the “life-on-pause” narrative. Our lives aren’t on pause, our lives are just different at the moment. With these differences come some great new advantages that we may be overlooking during our wait for in-person school to resume. I’m here to give you a fresh perspective on the awesome new skills you have already gained through online learning and offer some tips to kick that academic FOMO to the curb.  

1. Head’s up Silicon Valley, new tech experts are headed your way! 

Before this pandemic hit, my technological skills were not so savvy. My solution to almost every problem was to power off, power on, and hope for the best. Now that we have been in the realm of online school for some time, our tech skills have definitely evolved. Whether you have become a split-screen digital genius, or you have finally learned how to unmute on Zoom, it’s progress nonetheless. These skills will come in handy, especially since the workplace has now grown to embrace technology and working remotely. Thanks to online school, your newly developed computer skills could help you snag that dream job you’ve had your heart set on.  

2. Tidying up with Marie Kondo U of T Students 

We have all inevitably picked up organizational skills while learning online. Staying organized has become a lifeline for us ever since the onus to stay on top of due dates, emails, and those dreaded discussion posts became increasingly daunting. We have had to establish our own routines and create order in times that feel like chaos. Maybe you jotted down a reminder on a sticky note today? Or maybe you allotted some time to virtually chat with a friend before class? Online learning has taught us how to expertly balance school, work, family, and friends all with the power of organization. This transferable skill will help in all aspects of life, even after in-person learning resumes.  

3. Typing! Typing! Typing! 

Written communication is another important skill that we are constantly developing during our time with online school. We communicate via email and other written platforms more often now than ever before. Courses have also taken a writing-intensive approach in which creating multiple discussion posts a week has become the norm. Writing—or should I say, typing—has become one of the keys to online school survival. Online learning may be frustrating at times, but it has inevitably sharpened our writing skills. Online school has challenged us to practise writing in various ways to gather and share information in this primarily digital time. The written communication skills that we gain will serve as a valuable asset as we continue in both academia as well as the workplace.  

4. Be your own cheerleader!  

Humans are social creatures, and we often rely heavily on external motivators, like competition, to keep us on track. Online learning has forced us to become more independent and rely on and challenge ourselves to remain motivated, a skill that will always remain valuable. As students, we are learning how to be independent. When lectures are recorded and we can’t have any late-night study sessions with our friends, the desire to procrastinate is stronger than ever. Online learning for these past few semesters has certainly challenged us to stay on track and fight the urge to put off tasks. Independence and self-motivation keep us sharp, efficient, and help us reach our goals.  

Hopefully, this optimistic look at the advantages of virtual learning helps to make online school a little easier to manage. However, we cannot ignore the fact that online learning comes with its own challenges, like academic FOMO that impacts mental health. When school first transitioned online back in March of last year, I always had a looming feeling that I was missing something. Whether it be an assignment, announcement, or even just an email, I had an irrational fear that the entire course structure had changed in the two minutes since I last checked Quercus. Some of you may still feel this way, but thankfully there are many great ways to stay organized and take care of your mental health when academic FOMO is strong. 

1. Physical agendas are arguably the best organizational tool to put your mind at ease during these stressful times. Use one to keep track of important dates, plan out your days, and schedule worry-free time to enjoy doing things that aren’t school-related—yes, organization will free up time to do things you love. Not to mention, crossing out a task or ticking a box on a to-do list is incredibly satisfying!  

2. Another tip is to separate your school life from your personal life. This may feel difficult to accomplish, but even the small act of not attending lectures while in bed can help prevent burnout. Drawing a line between the two worlds by creating boundaries helps take care of your mental health. Try to designate zones or times for school and personal life so the two don’t end up feeling like one.  

3. My third tip is to take breaks. This may sound redundant but taking breaks can actually improve your efficiency. Whether you want to try your hand at the Pomodoro technique or make a goal to go outside once a day, taking a break will ease your mind. Give yourself some time every day to step away from screens and schoolwork, even if it is just for 10 minutes. Remember, it’s not just our devices that need to recharge often!